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MICKEY GUYTON BELIEVES YOU CAN FIND THE STRENGTH FROM WITHIN TO MOVE MOUNTAINS

Aug 29, 2024 @ 1:00 pm By Taylor Winter Wilson

Mickey Guyton is on top of the world right now as a country artist and is ready to hit the ground running with her upcoming new album, “House on Fire”. With 12 songs about love and life, we couldn’t wait to catch up with her to learn all about what she has in store for the world very soon.

FEATURE INTERVIEW:

What initially drew you to country music?   

What initially drew me to country music was LeAnn Rimes. She was singing the national anthem at a Texas Rangers baseball game. I lived in Waco at the time and my church drove, in a church van, to Arlington and we were all the way up in the nosebleed section. They said, “Please rise as 10-year-old LeAnn Rimes sings the national anthem.” I was just a little girl and remember being enamored by her. It didn’t really matter what genre it was, I just thought she was a great singer. 

In 2021 you released your debut album “Remember Her Name” which features 16 songs. Take us back to this time and talk about the overall experience of creating your first album.   

I side stepped. I had been writing a lot of music about my relationship and there was just so much going on in the world that I took a hard left and started writing about that instead. Being in country music, there’s a huge issue of women getting the same opportunities as men, the oppression of women. I started writing and the process was very emotional. I was pregnant, I was also really inspired. I was writing about something that meant something, it was an album that felt like a “life album.” 

When can we expect a new album? How will it differ from “Remember Her Name”?   

We’re releasing an album this year! It’s going to differ very much so because I’m in my “love era” now. There were a lot of things going on in my life before. I was being cyber bullied for standing up against racism and fighting for equality in country music.

Now, I put down the phone. I’m not looking at social media as heavily. I’m really focused on positivity. I can’t speak for everybody, but I know for me, I’ve had enough of feeding myself negativity- it’s triggering. I’ve learned to put my phone down and look at what’s right in front of me. I am in a very loving relationship, and I have a beautiful son out of it. That’s what you’re going to hear on this album. I’m really excited! 

In the same year as releasing your album you also co-hosted the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards alongside Keith Urban. What is your favorite memory from this experience?   

The whole industry knows Keith Urban smells really good. You can literally smell him everywhere he walks. Nobody knows what this concoction is, but we all collectively talk about it. I had said to him, “You smell so good, Keith!” and I think one of my favorite memories of this experience was going to my trailer to see he had left a bottle of nice champagne, something real fancy, and a letter sharing how happy he was to share this experience with me. He sprayed the letter with his cologne. I’m still laughing about it! 

A few months ago, you released “Scary love” which is dedicated to your 3-year-old son and motherhood overall. What made you create this song and how do you balance motherhood and your career?   

I created this song after Grayson almost died. Back in 2021, right after I sang at the CMA’s, my son got really sick. He fell ill with a typical virus that kids get and it turned out to be serious, he became septic. I literally saw my child on death’s doorstep. I saw his life slipping away from him. It was the scariest moment of my life.

In that moment, nothing else in the world mattered. I had to sing at the American Music Awards around this time. I just remember I was falling to my knees and praying to God. I have a complicated relationship with God anyway and this just changed my life. The love that a mom has for her child is the scariest kind of love because your heart beats out of your chest for things that you didn’t even think about before.

When I get behind the wheel and drive, I pray. This is something that I didn’t always do before. Just going to the grocery store isn’t such a simple task anymore because anything can happen at any moment. You’re at God’s mercy at every turn and that’s what that song was about.  

As far as balancing motherhood, I’m sitting here being interviewed by Galore Magazine while folding my kid’s Spiderman underwear. It’s just something that you do. Moms, we just make it happen. There’s no formula, there’s no special secret. You just find the strength to move mountains.  

Let’s talk about your latest single “Make it Me”. What was the inspiration behind this song and the process of creating it.   

I wrote this song with Tyler Hubbard, who is one of the former members of Florida Georgia Line. We write well together, and I wanted to write about the one thing constant in my life: my relationship with my husband. I believe the world is in desperate need of positivity right now and there’s nothing more beautiful and more positive than love.  

I think we’re getting a bit of that now that Kamala Harris is going to be the future first female president. I’m so excited – manifesting it baby! I feel it in my bones, I haven’t had this much hope in a long time.  

A few months ago, you performed at Essence Fest in NOLA where you lit up the stage. Did you do anything else while in NOLA? Talk to us about what all you did that weekend.   

I got to perform with Questlove and it was a very emotional. Compared to Essence Fest a few years ago, when black people were first getting used to hearing about country music, the crowd size was completely different. I got to talk to a lot of incredible artists and I think the one thing that made me so emotional was seeing people that look like me get a seat at the table and feel appreciated.

I’ve been fighting for equality in country music and I’m starting to see the fruits of my labor. Being a trailblazer comes with a price, it’s one of the hardest things that you could ever do. To be there and feel the love from my people, it’s beautiful. I had women praying over me- it was a spiritual, biblical moment honestly. I still can’t get over it. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever felt. I was sobbing.  

This fall you’ll be going on tour with CMT hitting over 20 cities. Talk to us about what fans can expect from this tour and what you’re most looking forward to.   

Expect to really get to know me. My fans have only seen me through a certain lens and not a lot of people have gotten to see me perform live. They haven’t gotten to experience my full heart and that’s something that they’ll get to see. I have a huge capacity for love, I love human beings so much. This life is so short and human connection is one of the most important things, especially post-pandemic.

I think we’re in desperate need of human connection and that’s what people are going to get from me on this tour. They’re going to get to see the real me! You see the girl fighting for equality in country music, you see the girl on social media, but you don’t get to be up close and personal with me. I’m your biggest champion and your biggest lover, I will love you with every ounce of my being and you’ll feel that from me on stage.  

Besides your upcoming album and tour, do you have anything else that you’re excited about this year? 

I’m excited to get this music out. I shot a killer music video that’s coming out soon that I think is one of the best music videos I’ve ever been a part of. I’m just excited for people to see me. A big part of my rise in country music was supporting other people, and now this time it’s me! 

TEAM CREDITS:

Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)

Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)

Cover Art Design: Carlos Graciano (@sadpapi666)

Photographer: Savanna Ruedy (@savannarruedy)

Wardrobe Stylist: Savannah Mendoza (@savannahkmendoza)

Makeup Artist: D’Andre Michael (@dandremichael)

Hair Stylist: Keisha Hachoo Johnson (@iam_whatshername_)

Public Relations: Vital Versatility (@vitalversatility)

About The Author: Taylor Winter Wilson

Senior Editor at Galore. Made in Detroit - Living in Atlanta.