 Courtesy of the Artist Ontario native Jaclyn Kenyon has been on the stage since the age of 12, when she was the youngest performer ever in Canada’s all-female artist showcase Honey Jam, competing against artists twice her age. At 15 years old she caught the eye of world-renowned vocal coach and multi-platinum producer “Mama” Jan Smith after which Jaclyn spent time in Nashville and L.A where she learned -more about herself and what inspired her as an artist working alongside multi-platinum writers and producers. Jaclyn’s latest single, “Daddy’s Got A Shotgun,” is a youthful, fun track about an overprotective father that can be found on her forthcoming EP. Here, in advance of the project's release, Kenyon kindly took the time to answer her Essential 8+ where she talked about everything from musical mentors and her EP to the Opry, Shania Twain, and much more! Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? I grew up in a musical home. I remember being three years old sitting on the piano while my dad played and I would be singing with him. My dad influenced me for sure because he always would play music and I naturally just gravitated towards it and wanted to learn as much as I could at such a young age. With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? Yes for sure! Anytime I’ve written a song and I feel that way, it's usually over a line that just really sticks out in the song and it’s usually the line that ties the song together perfectly. It gets me excited when that happens.  Is there a story behind your album’s title?
Yes, there is! The first time I went down to Nashville I was 15-years-old. I remember falling in love right away. I actually told my parents “I am going to move here one day” there was something about it that was just so peaceful and I naturally felt like I was at home. It was the most surreal feeling. Being a Young 17-year old girl and trying to figure out who I was as an artist and a person changed my path and directed me to LA for two years to work on an album. When the album was finally done something changed I felt in my heart it wasn’t who I really was or what I wanted to say. My producers kept telling me to take the “Country Twang” out of my voice because it wasn’t working with the Pop/Orchestrated sound we were doing on the Album. I felt like I couldn’t put my whole heart in this album or be myself because of it. Little did I know this “Country Twang” was just a natural part of me and it would be a part of my story. After a few months of real soul searching, I came back to Nashville at 19 and all those old feelings came back. I felt like I was that 15-years-old girl again. It just felt like home and I knew I needed to be there. The album is called Me & Tennessee because I have a story and history here. Tennessee helped me discover who I was and who I am as not only an artist but a person and it has brought me back to a place where I feel at home. Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did? For the album, I wanted to choose songs that were purely me. I really wanted the album to sound like songs my fans and I would enjoy and listen to. I was so happy with how they turned out. They are so unique. There is such a great variety of different styles when you listen to the album. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? When I write I honestly just dig deep into my heart. My inspiration comes from experiences, emotion, and things I’m passionate about. When I write I really try and put myself into a zone where people can relate to me and I can relate to them with what I’m singing. When/where do you do your best writing? I think I do my best writing when I am alone. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE co-writing but I also love having this time because I can just dig into my own heart and emotions and write what I’m feeling. It’s extremely personal and therapeutic to me when I write this way and it makes me feel so connected to my music. I just love it there’s honestly no feeling like it. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else, or a combination? Most of the time I write about experiences I go through and many others go through because I feel so much more connected to my music this way and to people when I have been through something myself. It makes it believable and honest. In saying that, of course there are times where I lack inspiration. Usually, when this happens I turn to quotes! I absolutely love quotes. I will read ones I relate to and put myself in those situations and try to write. This usually works as an alternative for me for inspiration! What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? “Enjoy the journey because it is the best part “ What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Stick to who you are as an artist. There are too many copies, be original. When God gives you a gift, you need to use it and he will open doors for you. Don’t let anyone’s opinion ever underestimate your talent. Stick to your gut, work hard and love doing what you do, it shouldn’t ever feel like work when you truly love it. What’s your favorite food? I have a real hard time saying no to tossed buffalo chicken fingers. Anytime I’m at a restaurant I scan the menu and if I see “buffalo” I’m in. What has been your biggest success? Finding a team around me who loves me and cares for me. Working with cowriters who were able to capture my heart completely for this album and finding a producer who didn’t change who I was and allowed me to be completely involved in the recording process to make sure I loved every song. I am so blessed to have that it is so rare and I count that as such a success. It means the world to me. What’s your favorite venue and why? I love Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, I went to a Bon Jovi concert there and I got to stand on stage before the show and look out into all the empty chairs. It was an amazing feeling there’s just something about the layout and size of the venue that made me feel at home I love it! What’s your dream venue and why? I would LOVE to play the Grand Ole Opry! There is so much history there and it would be an absolute honor to stand on a stage where so many greats have walked. It would be a surreal experience. I would also love to play at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Canada because Its just apart of my childhood. I’ve been to so many events there growing up and it would really feel close to my heart. Who would you love to collaborate with? Shania Twain hands down I absolutely love her and have looked up to her ever since I was a little girl Are there any songs you are tired of playing and why? No ! I love playing all the songs! I get so excited every time I get to play and perform them. Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative? Personally, I don’t. I’m not much of a drinker, to be honest, but I know many people do and it works for them! Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended? My very first concert I ever went to was Brittney Spears. I was 12! Do you have a favorite thing to do on a day off? I love to go on walks, try out a new restaurant or food, get the girls together and go shopping! Do you have a favorite gift from a fan? Sometimes I get really sweet messages from my fans on my socials. One time, in particular, I had an extremely personal note from a fan on my socials and I look at it sometimes because it keeps me going. Her words were so kind and it always makes me look back and remember why I do what I do. Is there a song (of yours) you wish you would have released as a single and why? Yes, there is a really personal song on the album that I absolutely love. Because it is a ballad it wouldn’t have been a good single to put out, but it will come out soon and I’m so excited for y’all to hear it. Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off? I love just being in the moment and seeing where life takes me! Website/Facebook/Twitter/Insta/Purchase
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