The WiMN’s Front and Center is a weekly column that showcases accomplished women who work in the music and audio industries. We spotlight successful female performers, manufacturers, retailers, educators, managers, publicists, and everyone else in between. Want to be featured? Learn how here.
Front and Center: Singer and Songwriter, Savannah Lynne
By Lina Bhambhani
Savannah Lynne grew up by the Hawaiian waters, but couldn’t ignore the tug of country music. Inspired by Reba, Johnny Cash, and Loretta Lynn, she and her parents packed up and moved to Nashville when she was 14 to help her realize her dream of becoming a country singer and songwriter.
Success didn’t come overnight, but Savannah kept building her audiences and was selected as Indie Music Channel’s “Female Country Teen Artist of the Year” for three consecutive years (2012-2015). We’ve seen her perform at NAMM and at our own She Rocks Showcase. You can see her video below.
To learn more about Savannah, check out her interview below and on her website www.savannahlynne.com.
WiMN: How did you get into music and how has the journey been so far?
SL: It’s hard to name one specific reason I got into music… I’ve been surrounded by music my whole life. I used to sing my mom lullabies to put HER to sleep at bed time. When I was younger I would sing in school musicals and I started taking vocal lessons and before you know it, I was doing small talent shows and solo performances. My parents surprised me with my first guitar when I was 13 and it really helped my songwriting. Once I could play a solid song, all I wanted to do was perform them for people. Share my music with the world.
WiMN: Was it hard for you to move from Hawaii to Nashville?
SL: We didn’t move directly from Hawaii to Nashville… We spent a short amount of time in California along the way. Leaving Hawaii was really hard for me, especially having lived there for so long. When we decided to move, the hardest part for me was leaving my family and friends, but I absolutely love Nashville, and I am so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had solely because I live here.
WiMN: Who are your inspirations and why?
SL: I find inspiration from a lot of people in different ways. One person who stands out to me is Taylor Swift. As a songwriter, Taylor is able to connect to her audience through her music by singing songs about what she has gone through in her life. I feel that if I’ve gone through something, someone out there has gone through the same thing, and if they can hear how I got through it, maybe they can get through it, too. Taylor’s music always made me feel like I wasn’t alone, and I want to do that with my music.
WiMN: What famous artist have you played with and how was the experience?
SL: That’s a funny question because I just got back from my most recent tour a few weeks ago and I opened for Tyler Farr in Austin, Texas at an event sponsored by Marriott Rewards, Chase Bank, and Reverbnation. The overall experience was unreal and I had a blast hanging out with the band.
WiMN: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
SL: Overall, my journey in the music business has been a blast. I always try to keep a positive attitude and learn from my mistakes. I strive to make each performance better than the last. One of the challenges that comes to mind is being underage. A lot of venues won’t book people under 18 and that has been a challenge in booking my tours.
WiMN: What are some next projects you have coming up?
SL: I am currently recording an album titled The Ghost of You, which I am extremely excited to share with the world! We just released a music video for “Melted Candle” and are about to release the track as the first single.
WiMN: What advice would you give other young artists?
SL: It’s crazy to think about giving advice to young artists, being so young myself, but if I could say anything it would be… make the music you want to make. It’s your journey and your art. But most importantly, have fun! If you lose the fun, you lose the passion.
Find out more at www.savannahlynne.com.
