All of this leads up to this interview. Lizzie Cates has shined her light on me and my life is better for it. Her energy makes anyone want to smile. It is for this reason I am happy to have Lizzie as part of the Southern Fellow family. Make sure to try the recipe that Lizzie inspired and the giveaway at the end. Here is our interview with one of the brightest stars I know, Ms. Lizzie Cates.

Tell us about your road to Nashville.

I was born and raised in the biggest little city: Reno, Nevada. My parents always knew that I was going to fall in love with music at a very young age. My mom had bought me a pink sparkly Barbie guitar when I was five and instead of hanging with my friends and twin sister, I went in my room and wrote my very first song. I told all my friends, sister’s friends, sisters and family to sit in the living room so I could play them the song. My life really began at that moment. Even before I wrote that song, I would change the words to nursery rhymes. My parents knew that songwriting was going to be the center of my life. My grandma was the one to tell me about Nashville. She told me that if I wanted to be a country music star, that is where I needed to be. I became obsessed with the idea of moving to Nashville. I would nag my parents every day
(I truly was annoying about it) asking if we could go. I taught myself how to play guitar when I was 13, where the doors opened for me. I used to come home from school and write songs until my parents forced me to go to sleep. I didn’t go to Nashville until I was 21. I was in college for about a year and a half when I decided I wanted to focus on music. I felt stuck after doing music for almost a year in Reno. I had planned on going back to school in the fall but I just needed to know what Nashville was like. I decided to go over the summer by myself. I had never even been on a plane. I was so amazed when I arrived to see that there were so many opportunities to play and learn there. I came back to Reno and started my semester but in the middle of it, I sat my parents down and told them that I had made my decision that I needed to be in Nashville. So, the following April, I made the move only knowing two people. My parents were scared for me, which I am glad they were, because I wasn’t scared at all. I just never felt like I belonged in Reno the way that I do with Nashville.

What do you feel are some important things you have learned in the
music industry?

If I had any advice on what I have learned since moving to Nashville is to go out and meet as many people as possible. Having a strong group of people you know and who support you is crucial. I also think it is important to be aware of what other people are writing but to also keep your head down. Don’t get to involved with comparing yourself to others. What is popular now might not be popular in a year or so. So, I am a strong believer to write what you want while being influenced by different sounds. I feel like a room full of people can honestly tell when someone is being themselves and connected with a song rather than someone trying to be something that they aren’t. Another thing that I have learned is to not be afraid to experiment, especially in the early stages of your career. Don’t be afraid to write a song. It’s awesome to be able to find who you are and push yourself to try new lyrics, styles, sounds, etc. I know that I experimented a lot with my writing and still do today. I would also say that everyone has their own timeline. Don’t compare your journey to other people’s. This town definitely takes a lot of hard work and patience. One last thing that I have learned is to just be yourself. Life is more fun that way.

Who are your top music influences and how did they shape you as an
Artist?

My top influences are Taylor Swift and Natalie Maines. Taylor Swift has been one of my biggest influences. I first saw her when I was 11 at a Brad Paisley concert. I have never connected with a singer as much as her. This 16 year old girl came out with her guitar singing songs about her life, something that I was made fun of for at my school. She made me feel less alone. Even though there were 4,000 people in the crowd, I felt like she was singing right to me. I feel like she still does that today in front of 70,000 people. Ever since that first night, I told myself I wanted to be able to connect with people in any way that I could like she does. Natalie Maines has always been my favorite singer. Growing up, I always wanted to be part of the Dixie Chicks. When I was in kindergarten, we had this play where we all got to dress up like what we wanted to be when we grew up. My twin sister dressed up like an archaeologist with her toy dinosaurs while I dressed up like a Dixie Chick and said “I wanna be part of the Dixie Chicks when I grow up”.

What is the best way to start the day?

Coffee, coffee, coffee. I literally cannot do anything without coffee.

What fad or trend you hope comes back?

I wish that early 20’s pop would come back. I loved the Justin Timberlake/Brittany Spears age. Those background vocals and instrumental sounds were so iconic.

We are always developing recipes here at Southern Fellow. When
writing music what recipe do you use?

I always am asked how I write songs. I don’t know if I really have a recipe. Songs never really come to me in the same way. I usually like to come up with the tagline at the end of the chorus first, though. I am a big fan of heartfelt unpredictable taglines.

What is special about the place you grew up?

I grew up 30 minutes away from Lake Tahoe, one of the most enchanting places I have ever been. I also was lucky enough to live around all the national parks on the west coast like Yosemite, the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Redwoods, ect. Growing up, my parents never took us on luxurious trips in hotels. We always went camping in those gorgeous national parks. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a very artsy city. Every summer they would have “art town” where every weekend there would be movies in the park and concerts that showcased local talent which allowed me to play for my city.