 Courtesy of the Artist -Tara Growing up in Texas, country music made a lasting impact on Kaylee Rutland. She was eight when she fell in love with singing while performing her first solo for a Christmas musical at her church, and then, as the saying goes, the rest is history. Over the past few years, she was named Country Living Magazine’s “Artist to Watch in 2017”, Billboard Magazine’s “Top 10 Artists to Watch” in 2014, was a finalist in the inaugural Nash Next competition in 2015, and accompanied RaeLynn on tour in 2016. Currently working on completing her studies at Belmont University, Rutland recently released her new single, “Pick Me Up” and kindly called to talk about the song, its accompanying video, and more. Your songs blend traditional and contemporary country. Did you always gravitate to country music? Growing up in Texas I was always listening to, and loved, country music, especially Reba who is my all time favorite. There wasn’t a moment when I decided it was going to be country for me, I’ve just always loved it and before long it was what I was singing, writing, and performing. Currently, you are a senior at Belmont University. Is it difficult to balance school and a career? It’s actually easier than I thought would be. I was definitely worried coming into it as a seventeen-year-old, but the majority of my professors are in, or have been in, the music business and are very understanding. It’s been incredible to be taught by people who work in the same industry, get their perspectives, and learn about all the different aspects of it. I love it.  Recently you released your new song, “Pick Me Up” which is really upbeat and fun. Did you have a hand in writing it?
I co-wrote it with Minnie Murphy and Jamie O’Neal, whom I met on one of my first few trips to Nashville and have since become close friends with. I got off school one Friday and drove to the writing session we had scheduled and before we dove in, we were relaxing and catching up. As we were talking, we noticed how we all were saying how happy we were that our chaotic weeks were over and it was the weekend. So we decided to write a song about that – and that turned into “Pick Me Up.” The carefree, joyful vibe of the song is captured perfectly in the video which was directed by Kristin Barlowe. How involved were you in developing the storyline which features you as a mechanic? I knew Kristin’s work, but I had never worked with her before and oh my gosh, I could not have asked for a better video director! She came to us with the treatment for the video and we fell in love with the idea. She is so brilliant - not only did she create the perfect video for the song which captured its energy, she was that energy! She is so fun and funny and had all of us in the right mood. Watching it come to life was more than any of us hoped for. It was a blast to work with her and making the video. As you finish school, what are your professional plans? Will you eventually release another EP? I’m always writing and have a large collection of unreleased music that I hope to gather to release as an EP or LP later in 2017. I also perform quite a bit, especially in Texas but also in Nashville, Iowa, Arkansas….anywhere I can really! In a few short years, you have accomplished quite a lot. Is there anything you would like to do professionally either in the near or distant future? One of my biggest dreams is to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. I’m hoping I’ll get there one day soon! Finally, I always love to know if there is one recent release that you cannot stop listening to and would recommend people check out? I am completely obsessed with Brett Eldredge’s new single, “Something I’m Good At.” It’s just so fun and even if I’m super tired, the minute that songs comes on I sing and dance to it. I absolutely love it! For more information visit her official website Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, and Instagram Watch the video for "Pick Me Up" HERE
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