10 Questions with Rachel Wammack
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. I attended University of North Alabama, and then made the move to Nashville after I graduated to pursue my music.
2. What is your musical background?
Several women in my family and my uncle played piano, so I grew up always being around music. My whole family also sang in the choir at church. I started playing the piano at age, 6 and when I got to high school I joined the marching band. I played the marimba!
3. Musically, what are your biggest influences and who are your favorite musicians?
I would say that Katy Perry’s early music, Carrie Underwood, Adele and Allen Stone are my biggest inspirations. Some of my favorite musicians are Steve Vai, Billy Joel, and Elton John. I also love Ray Charles – he helped inspire my love of playing the piano.
4. What is your biggest fear?
I have two. Baby dolls and frogs. I don’t have much of an explanation for either, they just freak me out!
5. Who would you love to collaborate with?
It’s hard to just choose one person. I think Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Bob Dylan, Sam Smith, or Miranda Lambert all would be incredible to collaborate with. They are all artists I look up to.
6. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would you choose?
Whitney Houston! I feel like we would bond really well. I also would love to hear all of her stories.
7. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
One of my biggest life mentors gave me some simple advice that I think is super important and always try to stick to. “Be early to meetings, always take notes, and remember people’s names.” I think all three of these things go a long, long way.
8. What is the main inspirations for the lyrics you write?
It may sound cliché, but love and life in general. I try to write about special moments that made me feel something. I like to turn these moments into songs as a way to hold onto them and create something timeless.
9. What would your dream venue to perform in be?
Madison Square Garden for sure. I’ve never even been to New York, but its somewhere I’ve always wanted to go and performing at MSG one day would be a dream.
10. What is the first song you ever wrote?
The first song I ever wrote was a silly song called “Ramen Noodles.” Back in high school it was basically the only thing I knew how to cook, so I decided to write a song about it. Believe it or not, back when I was performing in Muscle Shoals regularly, it was my number one requested song!
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