Today I want to introduce you to Amanda Cooksey! I had the pleasure of doing and interview with her and it was awesome! We talk about writing sessions with Grammy Award Winning Songwriters, her music, touring, and so much more! Check it out! NashNews: Thanks again for taking the time to answer some questions for me! Can you start by telling us a little about your self (age, where you're from, when you go interested in music, and so on)? Amanda Cooksey: My name is Amanda Cooksey and I am 19 years old. I am from Orlando, Florida and started playing piano at the age of 6. I started to become more interested in the singer/songwriter aspect of music when I turned 12. My piano/vocal teacher - Ron Feldman, began to teach me how to play piano and sing. I have always been very shy and he convinced me to try an open mic. I did and fell in love with songwriter and performing. I started to play out in Orlando and writer music, but it wasn't until I was 17 that I decided to become more serious about songwriting and traveled to Nashville to record and write. It was there that I toured Belmont University and decided to attend college there, so I could be in Nashville. I am currently studying Business Administration while continuing to write and play out a different venues. NN: You moved to Nashville for college and then continued to work on your music career. You worked on writing with some Grammy Award winning songwriters, tell us about how a typical writing session goes with one of those award winning songwriters? Amanda: I have had the opportunity to write with some Grammy award winning songwriters and have enjoyed it. At first, I was very intimidated when I first wrote with one, but they have all been so nice and fostered my creativity. We begin by talking and then ideas start to flow, next comes a title and a hood until a new song is created. NN: You're a singer/songwriter. Let us in on writing one of your favorite songs! How did you go about writing this song and what meaning or story is behind it that makes it so special? Amanda: My favorite song is about meeting a guy and being completely overwhelmed by him that you feel like a mess-can't think straight, talk right or walk right. It's called "Mess of Me". NN: You've had some pretty cool job experiences such as opening for Micheal Ray, and doing the VIP lounge on the Sounds of Summer Tour. What is one cool story that has happened to you at a concert that you will never forget? Why is that memory so memorable and important to you? Amanda: Meeting Michael Ray's father is something I will never forget. He was so completely nice to me and my family. He had so many encouraging words to offer about the music industry. He made us feel like we were long time friends. He told me I had the talent and just needed to work hard. I can see where Michael Ray gets his personality. N: What is one bucket list item that you hope to be able to cross off on your musical journey?
Amanda: My bucket list item I would hope to cross off my list i singing with Carrie Underwood. I love her music and I seem to be very much like her- personality wise. NN: What are three things you can't leave home without when going to perform at a show? Amanda: I can't leave without my special guitar pic, guitar tuner, and my phone. NN: Will you be taking part in any part of CMA Fest? Amanda: I hope to one day be a part of CMA Fest to sing, but right now I am going to be there supporting other artists and learning my craft better. NN: What does 2016 have in store for you? New Music? Touring? Can you let us in on any information? Amanda: I hope to graduate later this summer so I can work full time writing, performing and hope to play for some publishers. Keep up with Amanda at the social media sites below. Also check out her website here and sign up to get three free songs! Leave a Reply. |