This past summer, I got the chance to meet Elizabeth Lyons at Windy City Smokeout and it was clear from the beginning that she flat out loves what she does and loves her fans to death. So when I got the chance to connect with the country newcomer again for an interview, I wanted to get the story behind the local Chicago girl turned country music singer.
For those of you unfamiliar with Lyons, she was originally born in Chicago and moved to Nashville in college to begin her music career. A fireball of personality, Lyons took on a leadership role in her sorority and continued to make music until her graduation from Vanderbilt University in 2013. Since then, Lyons has been aggressively working to write, record, and perform her music all around the country.
Growing up in Chicago, how did you get into country music?
My family’s roots are in country. My mom grew up in North Iowa on a farm that has been in the family since the turn of the century. My Dad’s mom grew up on a farm in Wauconda, IL. However, the most influential man that introduced me to country music was my Great Grandfather Alfred who lived in Clear Lake, Iowa for 90 years. He loved country music and listening to guys like Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams. We’d spend every summer in Iowa with him listening to country music and picking flowers in his garden, fishing for cat fish, and picking strawberries in my bikini for strawberry jam.
Currently, I’m living in Nashville and I think people question the Midwest for being country, but if you drive through it’s filled with beautiful barns and rolling corn fields. Many of the biggest summer country festivals are right here in the heartland: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa as I saw performing at Country USA, Windy City Smokeout, & Midwest State Fairs. Chicago has one of the highest respected country bars (Joe’s Bar) and Bub City is another examples of how prevalent country music is in Chicago. Most recently Garth Brooks opened his tour with 15 sold out shows in Chicago. I think that kind of sums up the huge country music demographic in Chicago and the surrounding Midwest. So while yes I grew up in Chicago, my origins/family roots were formed from the heartland of this country.
Who were your musical inspirations growing up?
Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Spice Girls, Notorious BIG, Dixie Chicks, Rolling Stones, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Johnny Cash, Madonna, Earth Wind & Fire, Radio Disney, Carole King.
At what point did you decide that country music was going to be your career path?
When I moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University. I was interning at a music publisher and learning the business side of the industry while doing things for myself as an artist/songwriter. That was when I really realized I could pursue this career path. I have always been a performer though, having been in 18 musical theater productions….singing and dancing my whole life.
Many people talk about how hard it is to make it in Nashville, have you worked the bar circuit at all? Talk a little about the difficulty in breaking into that industry.
I’ve played all over Nashville in songwriter rounds and pretty much all the bars. My summer tour was focused more on going outside Nashville to meet fans and broaden my reach. I love meeting the fans; it’s one of my most favorite parts of the business. It takes a lot of organization to be on tour and with me being an independent artist, I run my own business. My band & I are driving the U-Haul to the venues, booking the events, and planning everything so it’s really hard work but we love this musical journey and are proud to look back and see how much we’ve accomplished. I asked Scott Borchetta this summer at CMA fest “what is his best word of advice,” and he said “get up every day and be a warrior.” That’s the best advice I’ve received in Nashville and I live by that motto.
Who would you love to tour with?
I opened for Luke Bryan and Chase Rice this summer but I would LOVE to go on a tour with them. Also Miranda Lambert, Kenny, Chesney, Taylor Swift, or Katy Perry!
Where is your favorite place to play?
Hands down it’s Joe’s Bar! It’s in my sweet home Chicago! Always a party and all my family and friends love it there.
You talk a lot about sorority life when you were in college…How has that shaped your songwriting and how helpful are they in supporting you?
My college experience & sorority have HUGELY impacted my music both in writing and in sales. Actually, my new single #PartyRules was inspired by memories partying with my sorority sisters. Greek life campuses around the country have been really supportive too and when my single was played on SiriusXM radio I think I counted over a 100 different college campuses (most in Greek Life) that wrote on their Facebook wall supporting my music. I always say the power of Greek life was the reason that my first EP and, I suppose all my music, has charted on iTunes. I feel lucky & blessed to have so many wonderful friends I have made through the years that will be lifetime friends. Plus I was super involved in my sorority (I usually had a position of some sort) and I truly believe it was where I learned how to understand and get to know all different types of people and even some executive skills.
What are you currently working on?
I’m doing a #PartyRules College Tour and hoping to perform all over college campuses in the country. As we speak, I’m headed to perform at Boston University where my sister is a junior in college. I am also doing a radio tour promoting my new single #PartyRules” to radio. We kicked it off at Mizzou and I’m loving it so far! Meanwhile, we will be shooting a new music video for “#PartyRules” & I’m also writing and recording new songs.
What is the ultimate party rule?
So far the girls have been telling me they love the line “2. Drink until he’s cute!” (Laughs) I wrote that line because it reminded me of my time in college partying with friends and we used to joke about that. A radio guy said it reminded him of Kenny Chesney’s “Ten With A Two” song (Laughs) But my ultimate party rule is to have some fun & hit the dance floor! I’ve never needed a drink to hit the dance floor though but it always makes it a little easier.
Do you still have a jeep?
Yes! I have a four-door black Jeep Wrangler. When I’m on the road I need an extra big car to drive my band around so I have my Mom’s SUV right now. My sixteen year old sister has been driving it so hopefully she won’t beat it up too much (Laughs) It has a license plate that says ROARRRR1 cause my last name is Lyons (lions) and some college stickers on it.
Since you are from the same town as Whiskey Riff, how would you spend the day in Chicago?
Where do I begin….Garrett’s Popcorn. Hub 51 Corn Bread. Madhouse on Madison for a Blackhawks game. Top shop. Sweet Mandy B’s. Wiener Circle Cheese Fries. Wrigley Field, My church: Kenilworth Union Church. Anywhere walking along Lake Michigan. Oh, & my high school New Trier High School which was used in many movies like Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Home Alone. I love to visit it.
Where do you see your career going in the next few years?
My focus and true love is just meeting & getting more fans and connecting with them on a personal level. I have met so many truly incredible people. At the end of the day, this is what the music journey is about; connecting with my fans and our mutual love of country music. I’d love to have #PartyRules or Jeep! on Sirius XM’s the Highway & on the Music Row charts! I’d love to play the Grand Ole Opry! I’d love my iTunes sales to continue! I’d love to continue to hit the road! Release another EP! Have a single or EP go platinum! Win a Grammy! Because I am an independent artist, I may consider looking at labels/publishers in the future but would have to be the right one…. a powerhouse one. But I just try to enjoy each and every day with the hardships, struggles, and all the wonderful things that come with the best job on earth. Being a singer-songwriter/artist & my running my own business, I feel like I truly am living the “American Dream!”
Check out Elizabeth Lyons on iTunes and download her 2 current singles #PartyRules and Jeep!
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