CMT’s Gracie Carol Talks Songwriting, Nashville, and EP “Day Dreams”

CMT’s favorite country star has came back to our music charts once again. The 23 year old singer Gracie Carol is one of the biggest rising country artists to date. Having shared the stage with Keith Urban himself, she has already proved herself to be incredible. And, after slaying on American Idol, and getting over 50K streams on her music, she is back and better than ever.

We talked with Gracie (Virtually!) to learn everything from her songwriting, to her Nashville live music scene, to her new EP “Day Dreams.”

Q: Who would you say is your biggest country music inspiration?

G: “This actually a really big question, now it’s added on people throughout my years growing up and even when I joined the industry. But the very first country music artist I was ever introduced to was Alan Jackson. I grew up listening to him and still listen to him, he is one of my favorites and one of the greats. Definitely taught me a lot about country music since the beginning.”

Q: “Do you have any goals you want to accomplish as a musical artist?As a country music artist, all of us have goals. Whether that is hearing your song on the radio for the first time, or playing in your hometown, of course those are goals I have. But my biggest goal I hope to accomplish one day is to make my debut at the Grand Ole Opry.”

Q: How does it feel to have so much support not only from your fans, but from your friends and family?

G: “It’s the best feeling in the world, and actually for me, I believe this question should be switched. I was so thankful enough and blessed in my life that my friends and family have always had my back and believed in my dreams, it was the fans I never knew that I could have so much support from as much as my friends and family. So I am truly thankful for the few that I really can call fans. It means the world to me.”

Q: What is your personal favorite song from your EP “Day Dreams”?

G: “Creating my EP was probably one of the top favorite things I’ve ever done in my life, and those songs were concepts brought in and written about what people go through in relationships. There is the dreamy boy, the one you don’t think is real and your hallucinating, the one you feel like isn’t great for you but you have a desire to chase the storm, the one you should have never been together with in the first place and struck you like lightning, the one you want to to make sure he knows you can be his getway to a neverland, and the one you have childhood memories with. So songwriting/lyrical wise, I love all of them. But if I had to choose one and the one I love performing is Storm Chaser.”

Q: How has your songwriting changed since you first started singing at a young age?

“My songwriting had definitely changed for the better since I first started when I was 11. After 12 years of writing bad songs, to good songs, to songs I absolutely love with a couple of not too great ones in there. I’ve written more than ever now, and I’m really proud of my work and what’s to come as an artist.”

Q: How has your quarantine been?

G: “It’s been scary, because you know.. Covid. But also a huge blessing in disguise that I didn’t know I was needing. I found out a lot about myself that I would have never gone through without this break. And I’m very blessed and so happy with everything in my life and how it has turned out this year. I didn’t know I could feel so much love for myself and find so much love in me. Remember to always try to make things right, no matter the circumstance, and be kind to yourself. Music and songwriting has helped so much throughout this quarantine as well. Don’t forget who you really are, find what makes you happy, and keep it.”

Q: When the pandemic is over, are you planning on doing more shows in Nashville?

G: “Nobody really knows what the future holds with venues and touring. Right now, I’m doing what I can with my music and showing it off to the world through social media and music streaming platforms. When I can, I do occasional writer’s rounds to go back out there and perform live. But performing live “Gracie Carol” shows have been held off at the moment. I just want everyone to be safe. Hopefully I can get together some shows by next year :)”

Q: “What is one thing you cannot live without?

G: “I don’t know this question is always so hard for me, so I’m going to pick 2. Family, and music.”

Q: Tell us about your newest single “3 Minutes”.

G: ‘”3 Minutes” has been a game changer for me as an artist. I’ll tell ya that much. Hahaah but it has been such a blast! I’m a big advocate for women in country music and empowering women in general. I sat down with my friend Dallas Jack in a write one day and told him about that. This song basically tells the story of women artists not being heard enough on the radio or winning the awards that they deserve. Essentially, a song is around 3 minutes long, this song describes that it only takes “3 Minutes” to give women that chance to listen to them and play them on the radio to create more equal play. Don’t get me wrong, male artists work so hard and I love them and all of them, country music is country music. But let’s show off the girls more often than what we are now and keep changing the conversation!”

Q: Where can we follow your incredible journey?

“You can find me on any social media platform under Gracie Carol and find my songs on any streaming platform as well :)Check out my new music video for “3 Minutes” on Youtube now!”