Amanda Cooksey
Feed the Band
Our interview with
Amanda Cooksey
Patrick L.
We have come a long way here at Southern Fellow. It is amazing the number of people the past few months that have joined us on this awesome journey. Your support is felt everyday and in everything we do. Thank you for calling Southern Fellow home. Our latest artist to call Southern Fellow home is one of the prettiest women you are ever going to see. However, it is what is inside that is making an impact on all she meets and on country music.
Amanda Cooksey stands about 5’6”. She is fit and has a smile that could quite possibly outshine the sun itself. Her hair reflects light like a golden halo. To most it sounds like I am reaching a little too far and most times I would agree. However, given one second with Amanda Cooksey and you will feel the same way. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all get excited about beautiful people. Lifestyle magazines are a billion dollar industry because of this very fact. It is when you go deeper with Amanda that you find her beauty is the least of the qualities she wants to be known for. She actually shares many insecurities we all feel when it comes to our appearance. This inspired her to write the song “Girl in the Mirror”. A song that showcases Amanda’s talent and the beauty that exists within us all.
I do many interviews and the biggest thing that surprised me about Amanda Cooksey is that fame or money never came up in conversation. She has been solely focused on finding her sound and telling stories about life. The proof is in her music. “Girl in the Mirror” and “Upside Down” stand as testament to her dedication to her craft. As someone who leans hard to traditional country music, I will say that Amanda Cooksey is walking the line between country and pop. However, she is doing it keeping the bones of country music intact. It is actually impressive the skill level she is using to balance these two worlds. Amanda Cooksey is beautiful and there are many of you that will stop there. I challenge you to go beyond all that is superficial. There you will find the true beauty and talent that makes Amanda Cooksey shine.
Let’s get to the interview. I had a wonderful time with Amanda at our local coffeeshop. I would like to welcome her to the Southern Fellow family again. She would love to hear from you. You can welcome her to the family as well. Check out the cookie recipe that she inspired and the giveaway at the bottom. Here is our interview with Ms. Amanda Cooksey.
Tell us about your road to Nashville.
Well, I first got involved in music at the age of six when I started taking piano lessons. I was a very shy kid, but always dreamt about singing. I would sing in church in middle school, but I was usually singing with one other person so it wasn’t as nerve-wracking. Around that time, I started taking vocal/piano lessons from Ron Feldman. He knew that I chickened out of auditioned for my 7th grade talent show and was determined to have me try out in eighth grade. I auditioned and made it into the show. I felt so happy to be performing on stage with my keyboard and a microphone for the first time and received a lot of great feedback from my classmates. From then on, I decided I wanted to pursue music. I began performing all around Florida and finally decided to check out Belmont University when I was a junior in high school. I ended up applying and getting accepted. Unfortunately, right before moving to Nashville, Ron was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after. I could not have done any of this without him and know he is with me every time I perform.
What advice would you give your past self on songwriting and being in the music business?
I would tell myself to be confident and focus on myself. It is easy to compare what you are doing to others in this business, but I have learned the best thing to do is to focus on what you want to achieve and create music that you are passionate about.
If you could not play music, what do you think you would be doing?
I would probably go the medical route since my parents are both in the medical field.
What is your biggest fear?
Losing someone I love is my biggest fear.
We are always developing recipes here at Southern Fellow; when writing music, what recipe do you use?
Usually I draw from an experience I am going through or one of my friends is going through. I usually come up with a title or melody and start writing!
If Merriam-Webster was to define your music, what do you think that definition would say?
Walker Hayes meets Ariana Grande.
What is your first fond memory of food?
I remember I used to eat a lot of candy as a kid so probably something to do with chocolate!
If you wrote a song about food, what would it be about?
It would probably be about Italian food and be in the style of Sinatra or Dean Martin.
Try this inspired recipe!
Perfect Chocolate Caramel Cookies
What does the coming year look like for you?
I will be writing, recording, and performing! I am excited to share my new music with everyone!
If you could write with anyone, living or who has passed on, who would that person be?
Max Martin, because he has written so many hits and is a musical genius.
Tell us about your single “Girl in the Mirror” and how that song came to be.
Originally, I never planned on releasing the song, but my family and friends told me I should. I have dealt with a lot of insecurities in my life and this song helped me write out my feelings. I wanted to pitch the song to another artist in town, but realized it told my story and was a great introduction to who I am. I hope that this song helps people be kind to themselves and embrace who they are.
If you could start a charity, what would that charity be about?
I actually have my own 501c3 called Manda’s Musical Hope. My hope is to eventually put on shows to raise money for organizations such as Make A Wish and the Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
Is there anything else you want your fans at Southern Fellow to know?
I want to thank the Southern Fellow family for their support and love. I would not be able to do what I love without you.
Thank you for tuning in here at Feed the Band. That is the beautiful Amanda Cooksey. It was a pleasure to have her join our family and be a part of Feed the Band. Please support Amanda Cooksey by adding her to your favorite playlist. You can find her music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and YouTube. Make sure to enter that giveaway as well. Thank you for supporting us here at Southern Fellow. We have more music and recipes on the way. We will see you next time!
