We are delighted to welcome Alannah McCready to Divine Magazine. Nashville-based country musician Alannah McCready was born near Minneapolis, MN, and has loved a diverse range of music since a very young age. She attended the University of Madison, WI, on a full athletic scholarship for women’s hockey. Her passion for music never left completely, yet her involvement with the college and pro sports worlds did not allow a great deal of time to pursue other interests.
Getting to know Alannah
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I binged the entire series of “Schitt’sCreek”and it’s now one of my favorite shows of all time.
What historical Figure would you love to see in 21st century life?
Marilyn Monroe
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
I would definitely say dinosaurs except I do love the Dragons from Game of Thrones!
Do you have any lucky items, objects,or traditions?
I am a hockey goalie and we are historically known to be superstitious. I have quite a few “routines” I do before shows or games that might seem silly to some people but are lucky to me.
What would you bring along to an idyllic picnic?
I am a sucker for a charcuterie board
What movie ending really frustrated you? And how would you change it?
The ending of Titanic still bothers me because there was DEFINITELY enough room for Jack and Rose on that dang raft! I’m still bitter!
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
I would probably be an interior designer or a professional makeup artist. Those are two of my favorite hobbies.
What is your favorite song to perform?
“Tin Man”by Miranda Lambert. I feel like every single time I sing it live, I go somewhere else mentally and it is also the one song I wish I had written!
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
There are so many things that I enjoy about being an artist. I feel as though I have the best job in the world! It’s the best feeling to play a live show and see people smiling and singing along! I also love how songwriting can be healing. Every song I write allows me to express my emotions in some way and I can only hope that my music can help heal at least one other person the way that it heals me
What are your musical plans for the next 12 months or so?
I just released a new single, “Something Like That,” which is part of a new EP project that will be released later this year along with one more single before the entire project. I recently moved to Nashville and now that venues are starting to open up here, I will start playing live shows againwhen it’s safe to do so. I am really looking forward to that!
What draws you to your preferred genre?
My mom is from Oklahoma, so I grew up listening to the great women in country music like Reba, Trisha, Martina, and Shania and they really shaped who I am as a singer and songwriter. I used to mimic their voices and taught myself how to sing by listening to their songs. I have always had a passion for country music and am drawn to the storytelling aspect and the relatability of the genre.
Was anyone else involved in writing, recording, or producing the songs?
“Something Like That” was co-written by Will Gittens and myself and produced by Sterling Gittens Jr. My entire upcoming EP was created by the three of us! When Will and I sat down to write “Something Like That,” we knew we wanted it to be simple yet relatable. With this song, I was really looking to write about what a lot of people think but might not say. I knew having Will and Sterling on this project was going to bring it to another level not only because of their talent but also because of the fact that they know me so well. I knew my music was in the right hands.
Something Like That is now available for download and streaming on digital music platforms worldwide https://sym.ffm.to/jdb5xwz
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell her to go for it! I think I hesitated to start my professional music career for the longest time because of the fear of failure. I wish I could have told my younger self that while there will be ups and downs, this is what you are meant to do and if you just believe in that and in yourself, you are capable of achieving your dreams. I would also tell my younger self to not let anyone tell her who she is “supposed” to be as an artist and to just be her authentic self.
For more information about Alannah McCready, please visit www.AlannahMcCready.com and follow her on Spotify, Facebook, and Instagram.