Name: Makenzie Phipps
Birthplace: Bluefield, VA
Current Residence: Nashville, TN
Music Style: Country
Website: makenziephipps.com

Please introduce yourself.

Hey y’all! My name is Makenzie Phipps and I have been doing music as long as I can remember. I got started young, being only 4 years old when I began singing and since then it’s been full send! From there I learned the piano and guitar, started doing my own shows at the age of 14, and performing at so many different places; I’d say I’m livin’ the dream! Not only that, but getting to write my own music to share with the world, you just can’t beat that. I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for anything! 

Tell us about your newest project. What was the inspiration behind it and where can we check it out?

My latest single, “Eighteen Wheels”, dropped back in February and I have been really enjoying what people have had to say.   It is available on all streaming platforms, so definitely go check it out! My backup singer/guitarist, Shane Begley, wrote this song for me to sing and he did a FANTASTIC job capturing a beautiful, tear-jerking storyline. The song talks about a daughter reminiscing on the memories of her daddy who was always on the road as a truck driver. When Shane wrote this song, he really wanted everyone out there to see just how truly important truckers are in our world. After all, without truckers we’d have nothing! 

How would you describe your music?

I just like to describe my music/sound as that traditional country sound. Similar to how Loretta and Tammy used to sound. People have always told me I sound a lot like LeAnn Rimes as well as Patty Loveless, and I’ll take those comparisons any day. I love to sing so many spectrums of country music, but the traditional roots have my heart. 

How did you get started?

I started singing in church! My mawmaw was a very godly woman and she would always take my brother, cousin and I to church every Sunday morning. There she’d teach me different hymns to sing at service every week. She was one of the first people in my life to see my gift for music, so I’m glad that she, as well as my parents, pushed me into pursuing it. 

Who are your biggest musical influences?

I absolutely LOVE Loretta Lynn and Ashley McBryde. Loretta was one of the first people I ever started listening to and singing when I was a little girl. I hate that I never got to meet her, but I know that she’s looking down on all of us as she’s singin’ with the heavenly choir. Now Ashley McBryde I got introduced to a few years ago and I just fall more and more in love with her every time I listen to her. She has such an amazing voice and an incredible writing ability. I also just admire who she is as a person because she doesn’t care what people think of her. She’s true to herself and that’s so inspirational to me. I hope to be as well known as her and Loretta one day. 

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

How easy it used to be to be heard. While today’s music industry has some perks like instant streaming and social media, I wish I had been born in the era of patsy and George. I would’ve loved to have pulled up to a radio station, hand deliver them my record and say “Play this and let’s chat!”. I have always been a social butterfly, so I think I would’ve fit right in during that time. 

What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?

I think what sets me apart is me having the traditional country sound, especially for my age. I’m 22 (even though I feel like I’m 100 haha) and a lot of individuals in my generation don’t quite have that classic country sound in their voice. At least that’s what people have told me about myself. I just love to sing my heart out and hope people enjoy it! 

What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

Just how much music can impact people. I’ll be singing certain songs at my shows and I just love to see how they resonate with people on a personal level. Whether it’s a love song, a breakup song, or a tear jerking song, I love to see how it affects other people. Not only with covers but with my own songs as well. I have a song that I wrote about my mawmaw suffering from Alzheimer’s and to see that song touch people like no other is so rewarding to me. I was able to paint them a picture that they may have not been able to have seen quite clearly, and I think that’s the beauty of music.  

What’s next for you?

I just went back into the studio and recorded songs that I wrote myself, so I’m super excited to share those with the world! The songs that I’ve released so far have either been pitched to me or I’ve cowritten on, so getting to share with my audience a taste of my own writing style is exciting and nerve wracking! I can’t wait to see what people think! 

What are your career goals in the next five years?

 I have always told people, if I became big and famous and had people out there know my name at the drop of a hat, that’s great! On the other hand, if I’m able to do what I love to do and live comfortably doing so, I’m just fine with that as well. Music will always be a part of me, so at the end of the day it is all in the Lord’s hands as to what happens next. So y’all head on over to my socials to stay updated on all of my music as well as my personal life, and let’s all see what the future holds for me next!