Things are looking up
Lynn has opened for superstars including Carrie Underwood
After sharing the stage with some of the top stars in country music, Elmsdale native Makayla Lynn is being touted as one of the industry’s next big breakout performers.
Makayla Lynn is, in so many ways, just a normal 16-year-old girl.
She was reached by SaltWire Network during a camping trip in Cape Breton with friends.
But this high school student just graced the pages of Rolling Stone magazine, featured as one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know.”
Lynn still can’t believe her good fortune.
“I’m still in shock and disbelief. It’s not often you get opportunities like this,” said Lynn.
“I don’t even think I realized how important this was at the time of the interview. I was on the phone in the Nashville airport. This is such a big deal, and I was so excited when the article came out.”
Lynn has opened for superstars including Carrie Underwood, and has been amazed by the experiences.
“I’ve been a part of so many summer festivals, and that’s my scene as far as shows go. It gives me a chance to meet huge acts and share the stage,” she said.
Most recently, Lynn has played the intimate, 90-seat Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, a staple for country artists.
Taylor Swift was discovered at that bar at age 15, and the music venue has hosted a plethora of musicians including Dierks Bentley and Garth Brooks. It has also
been featured prominently in the hit CMT show, Nashville.
“My whole family and I went out for the first time and there I was at the Bluebird. I was sitting with three other songwriters and it was just little old me from Canada,” she said.
“These songwriters did hit songs like Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It,” Brad Paisley’s “She’s Everything,” and I was so nervous.”
She said songwriting is a whole separate industry apart
from performing in Nashville. Some of the most famous songs from hit artists have been written by others.
“In Nashville, songwriters look to get artists singing their songs, and the money they make from writing funds their own careers. That’s sort of what I’ve been aiming at. I’m so passionate about writing,” she said.
“It’s a crazy world. I didn’t realize how big the songwriting scene was until I was in it. It’s a community, and musicians everywhere are all a part of this little country family.”
Though Lynn is determined to get to Nashville full-time after high school, she said she’ll never forget her roots.
“When I was seven I went to my grandmother and told her I wanted to learn to play guitar. I fell in love and began to write my own songs,” said Lynn, who is originally from Elmsdale.
“I now perform live versions of songs I wrote, and things have snowballed and landed me here. It’s just all a blur.”
She said standing on stages, whether in Nashville or at P.E.I.’s Cavendish Beach Music Festival, is a situation she really takes in.
“It’s so amazing, and it’s just surreal. I like to live in the moment but sometimes I just have to remember where I am and not take it for granted.”
Lynn is now promoting “On a Dare and a Prayer,” the album she released in March.
“I co-produced this for the first time ever. It’s a 12-song album and I wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks,” she said.
“I wanted to be part of the process and this was a lot more work than I thought. It’s definitely a learning experience but I can’t imagine not producing from now on.”
Rolling Stone may just be the beginning of a new journey for Lynn.
“This can open so many doors for me. A million opportunities can stem from this and I’m excited to see what happens next.”