Backstage Pass Radio

S3: E2: Presley Tennant - Norco Born...Stardom Bound

July 27, 2022 Backstage Pass Radio Season 3 Episode 2
Backstage Pass Radio
S3: E2: Presley Tennant - Norco Born...Stardom Bound
Show Notes Transcript

20 year old singer-songwriter, Presley Tennant, is a soulful powerhouse vocalist who has been compared to Whitney Houston and Carrie Underwood. She is quickly establishing herself as an American country music singer-songwriter.  Born and raised in Norco, California, also known as Horsetown USA, Presley found her roots back to country music after her incredible experience on season 16 of the “The Voice” where she earned her spot on Team Kelly.  She says, " ‘The Voice’ allowed me to truly find who I am as an artist,” since then she began her pursuit in country music.

 

      She has currently working on her debut country album, with her recent releases of “Half That Strong”, "Bite The Bullet", "Always You", "Temporary" and many more unreleased songs. In addition to her recent releases, she has been traveling back and forth from her hometown of Norco, California to Nashville, Tennessee. Working with some of the most sought out producers such as Jeff Huskins, Kent Wells, Chuck Rhodes and Buddy Hyatt.  Presley has music in the works to follow her debut country album.

 

      While she loves writing and recording, another passion for Presley is the stage. She wows everyone in the audience when she starts to sing. She has opened up and shared the stage with some of the most respected country singers in the industry such as Kelly Clarkson, Tim Mcgraw, John Michael Montgomery, Tyler Rich, Claire Dunn, Cody Johnson, and Honey County to name a few.  Stay tuned for Presley’s upcoming releases and be on the look out for this up-and-coming COUNTRY SUPERSTAR. 

Presley is a proud ambassador for the S.O.S. Foundation.  The foundation was created to help to reach at-risk youth facing mental adversities such as violence, drug abuse, bullying, and cyber-bullying.  The foundation hopes to reach specific individuals in need of mental health counseling and provide assistance with the goal: SAVE A LIFE.  


 

Presley Tennant Mixdown Master

Mon, 7/18 7:18PM • 57:43

SUMMARY KEYWORDS

song, people, presley, feel, good, voice, music, backstage pass, played, grew, called, gamble, artists, audition, country, bit, nashville, big, singer, listeners, Norco, California, Norco California, The Voice, NBC, Kelly Clarkson, Team Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Presley Tennant, Presley Tennant Music, Backstage Pass Radio, Backstage Pass Radio Podcast, Interview, Podcast, Best Podcast, Randy Hulsey, Randy Hulsey Music, Randy Hulsey Podcast

SPEAKERS

Randy Hulsey, Presley Tennant, Adam Gordon

 

Randy Hulsey  

Hey everyone, it's Randy Hulsey. Here with backstage pass radio. I hope that everyone's week is going well. Today I am joined by a powerhouse of a vocalist. She's making waves on the Nashville scene and leaving her audiences and all of her vocal abilities. My guest this evening made a splash on season 16 of NB C's hit show The Voice. When we come back, we'll see what's happening with Presley tenant. So stick around.

 

Adam Gordon  

This is backstage pass radio, the podcast that's designed for the music junkie with a thirst for musical knowledge. Hi, this is Adam Gordon. And I want to thank you all for joining us today. Make sure you like subscribe and turn the alerts on for this and all upcoming podcasts. And now here's your host of backstage pass radio, Randy Halsey.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Hi, Presley, welcome to the show. How are you?

 

Presley Tennant  

I'm doing great. How are you?

 

Randy Hulsey  

I'm good. I'm glad that we got the chance to jump in and chat. This has kind of been in the making for a little bit now. And I guess we both have busy schedules. But here we are. Right. So glad you're here with me.

 

Presley Tennant  

Well, thank you for having me. Yeah. And

 

Randy Hulsey  

how's uh, how's life in California these days?

 

Presley Tennant  

It's been nice. It's been good. I actually just got back yesterday, from Arizona. I was out there for a little vacation after I feel like I came back from Nashville, flew back, like one night and then the next one. I was driving up to Arizona. I was like, Alright, this is vacation time now. So but I'm finally back. Ready to get back into the swing of things.

 

Randy Hulsey  

I think I think I saw maybe a post or something. They're like have the SU Am I correct? Yeah. Okay. So you grew up? And I guess that would be Norco would be Southern California. Correct. And I guess to be exact, that's a little town that is probably just a little south of San Bernardino. Is my geography kind of correct there? I think so.

 

Presley Tennant  

I think if my geography my east of LA, like, say in the same area about like 20 minutes away from San Bernardino.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Okay. Well, we won't get into a geography lesson here for sure. I guess. Years ago, I I get it. No, I really get it. So I've done shows with guests like from Murphy, North Carolina, and of course, everybody in there in the mind's eye, you think of the map and you're like, Oh, I know exactly where North Carolina is. But when you say Murphy, like I'll bet your money you don't even know where Murphy Murphy North care. Exactly. So, so I'd like to try to put this in the mind's eye this vision on the map. So people that say Norco Well, I've heard of San Bernardino. I've heard of La I've heard of San Francisco but Norco worth Norco in California. Right. So I tried to paint this picture. But aside the geography lesson, what kept you busy? Like as a as a young girl growing up in Southern California? What were you doing? What What were your interests? What were the hobbies? Talk to the listeners a little bit about that.

 

Presley Tennant  

I mean, I grew up doing a little bit of everything. I was very much an adrenaline junkie I loved. I feel like in California, I'm very spoiled with the fact that I have everything like for the beach, the desert, the lake, the mountain. So I did a little bit of everything there. I was always, either at the beach, or when it was wintertime, I would always be in the desert. You know, like I have a quad and so I grew up riding. So I'm always out there, and Glamis or I am like in the mountain snowboarding. It's just like one of those things that I always really loved. And besides like all the fun stuff, I guess it was mainly just school and music. I grew up playing soccer and then kind of made the switch to music after I kind of was really introduced to the whole music industry and just fell in love with it. And I got to the point where I needed to make the choice because I couldn't do both. I was already homeschooled and I was going to rehearsals from like 8am to 4pm and then straight soccer practice. I was like, you know, I should probably just choose one or the other. I can't really show up with a full face of makeup to soccer practice. I'm gonna get a lot of crap from our girls. And be like, Why do you have curls in your hair and like a crown on your head?

 

Randy Hulsey  

You're gonna be that chick Right? They'll be that chick Yeah.

 

Presley Tennant  

I will go anywhere with a full face and makeup blonde.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Right? look good. Feel good. That's right. That's right. Well, they always say even if you go out on the soccer field and you suck at least you'll look good and right. Oh, yeah. Well, I was gonna ask you, when did you determine like you you know, you were playing soccer. And when did you determine Okay, soccer is not its music, like, at what age? Did that whole music thing start to develop? Was this from a very young age or was it from the teen years? Talk to me a little bit about that. So

 

Presley Tennant  

I had always played soccer my entire life. And so I was very into that I thought that's what I was going to do for the rest of my life. My family played my dad was my soccer coach, all growing up. And so when I started into music, it was just kind of more like a fun thing like little karaoke nights. So like Taco Tuesday, I'm apparently get some tacos, I'd be singing some fat bands are that kind of thing. And so I did it just for fun. And I was doing a little competition near my hometown, and up in Wordsworth, Lake Elsinore, like we were talking about earlier in Temecula. And I, I felt like I did pretty good. And so the mayor of Temecula reached out to me and introduced me to this girl group. And they really introduced me to the whole music industry, I had knew nothing that there was even this sort of world outside of sports, even existed. And so when I first got into it, like, all these girls that I was in the group with were like professional dancers, I was like, I could do a somersault, and it's not going to be good. Like it was that type of thing. And so I was learning the entire time, and I just fell in love with it. I was like, This is so much fun. I really enjoy being out here. I love being the professional environment. And so I introduced or I got into the girl group, and at that moment on, when I started to really perform and go to the studio, I think I was about 10 or 11 years old, where I was like, This is what I'm supposed to do. This is what I am meant to do. And this is where I'm the happiest so I kind of want to say around 12 is when I really like made the decision. Like no more soccer I was already homeschooled going this class or doing my homework at home, then I would go to rehearsals and then and then soccer practice and so it got to a point where I was just like I just need to choose one or the other. My dad was devastated but I think he's a little bit happier now with the choice that I made. Sure. Yeah, but um, I would say I was fairly young a little before my teens.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Would you consider yourself a good soccer player?

 

Presley Tennant  

I would say I was pretty damn good. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah, if you can't toot your own horn who's gonna do that for years?

 

Presley Tennant  

I was scouted for like, there was like this thing called ODP and they all it was like a couple 100 players and probably like one person from I would say like every couple of teams I got scouted to be like on like the Olympic developmental program and so I got scouted for that didn't make it okay, then I got scouted I was like, hell yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Well, then you didn't suck. Yeah, you can't get scouted by that caliber and then suck at the same time, right?

 

Presley Tennant  

I also couldn't suck because you know, I was the coach's daughter, so I knew I was gonna get a bug.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Exactly. That's the worst. That's the worst. When you're on a soccer team. Your dad's the coach and you suck. That's that's the worst right?

 

Presley Tennant  

At that point, he wouldn't have played me. I wasn't gonna

 

Randy Hulsey  

be like Presley, can you bring us some more water?

 

Presley Tennant  

Use your Gatorade guy.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Exactly. Can I get you something to eat too? While I'm not? Exactly right. Well, it's it's interesting. And I didn't think about this until you just brought up soccer. So I have an interview lined up with another artist. I think it's next Monday night out of Nashville. Her name is Sarah faith. And she is also a colleague. She was a collegiate soccer player. So it's interesting that I have two soccer players like maktabah. Kind of funny how that worked out.

 

Presley Tennant  

I don't know considering one anymore.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah, well. Yeah. So at the age of at the young age of 16, you auditioned for the voice and you wound up on Kelly Clarkson's team, correct. Was, was it you that wanted to audition for the show? Or? Or did you have birdies in your ear that were chirping you up? Like, oh, you need to do this. You need to do this, like was this all your decision? Or was it others decisions, too?

 

Presley Tennant  

I mean, it was, it wasn't something at that time where I was like, I want to do the voice. I wanted to be on TV. I was just the opportunity had come about and I was invited to audition. And so I was kind of like in the middle like, do I want to do it? Like, am I ready for it. And the previous years, I had also been asked to do it, but I ever it's like I was either too young, or I just didn't feel ready for it. And I was like I'm going to be going against like people who are doing this professionally. Like I was like I need I feel like I need a little bit more under my belt. But I had friends who did the show and they absolutely loved their experience. So I automatically like knew like, Okay, this is a possibility. But I guess I wasn't like jumping out to get at it when I was 16 it was just kind of like when the opportunity arose. I was like, You know what, I feel ready. I feel like I'm good for this. And whatever happens happens. I'm gonna go in with an open mindset and have fun and learn. And I think that was the biggest takeaway from And from that experience,

 

Randy Hulsey  

it's interesting that you say that because I think most people would. And I'm assuming I never tried out for the voice. I'm too old for the voice but no yarn. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah. Well, we'll talk about that offline anyway. And you're sweet, by the way, actually, like, I think there's a mindset, you go and audition for the voice, the voice doesn't come looking for singers and what you said just now it sounded like they found you instead of you finding them. Can you? Can you speak to that a little bit? I won't put words in your mouth. You tell us the story, right?

 

Presley Tennant  

It was more just I think, because I had friends who were on the show. And they were just kind of looking around obviously inviting people they want to help people like more, the more the merrier, because they'd already do the cattle calls. But there also comes a certain point where it's like, how many cattle calls are they gonna do? Because it's sitting there for like, hours on end. I feel like when it's a little bit easier, just kind of like bring people in who are locally. But I don't know, I don't know how I know a lot of people's experience are a lot different. Their majority of everybody there was was there for like the cattle call, which I thought was really cool, because I didn't I didn't know how the entire process worked on the show. But I know, mine is a little bit different from everybody else's.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Well, and it's probably just that because I had a guest on my show. It's been a little while his name was Gabe Garcia. He's out of Lidl, Texas. And he lived in Nashville for a while he was actually first runner up on the Nashville Star, which was kind of like the voice, you know, back in the day. And I think that he said he was first runner up of over 60,000 singers. That's a cattle call. Right? That's that's a true and and I have to thank and I don't know if I certainly don't think the Nashville Star was as big as the certainly the voice or American Idol. So I have to think that there's a lot more in the cattle call for you know, the voice and an American Idol for sure.

 

Presley Tennant  

I just remember, I don't know what the actual number was for how many people auditioned. I know it was definitely high up, but I'm not sure exactly. But I remember when I was there. Even I mean with the voice, there's 48 slots that go on a team. And so while I was there, I think it felt like there was a little over like 150 people that were there auditioning and I was like, This is insane. On you're only gonna get like a third of a chance to really even perform in front of the judges before the slots fill up. So it was definitely was interesting to be there.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah. It's really interesting. When I put it in perspective, I'm a local artists out of Cypress, Texas, which is northwest of Houston, for the geography lesson. And I play about 130 shows while I was playing about 130 shows a year before the podcast started. That's in half now. But my point that I was going to make is, I consider myself a good enough singer to go and perform professionally, right. But the shows have the most amazing singers like when I see them. I'm like Jesus, they're on another planet. And even though you are an amazing singer, I bet you there was some intimidation, even for somebody is good as you being up against that kind of talent, right? Oh, yeah.

 

Presley Tennant  

I mean, they're for like my Blind Audition. I wasn't nervous at all. Okay, for some reason, I was just like, I'm just going and doing my thing. And then I started to hear everybody else's, like rehearsals, and I was like, Oh, this is what everybody sounds like, because I was really skeptical. And I was like, don't listen to me. No, listen to me. No one gets to him. You're hilarious. And I don't know why it was like that. I'm like, now I understand. I'm like, we're all we're all good. We're all musicians. We're all friends. I was like everyone's artistry is different. There's no fair way to compare another artists to another. Yeah, it's just not possible. No two artists are the same. But during that time, I was just like, oh my god, I'm so scared of like everybody. Like, I remember. I think there was one girl who had the same audition song as me. And she told me that and then I heard her voice and I was like, why didn't they get her the song? Right? I was like that she should she wouldn't have won the entire thing. Like I was so shocked. Yeah, but I definitely was intimidated. I don't want to be very intimidated. But that definitely got my got me shaking in my boots.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah. Well, it kind of puts it in, you know, perspective. I mean, there's, you're not the only good singer on the planet. Like, that person is not the greatest soccer player. I mean, there's always somebody better right is what I was always told growing up. My dad would always tell me that you're a good baseball player. You're a great hockey player, but there's always somebody better. You know, just keep on keepin it real right, as is what he always did. Now, you wound up on Team Clarkson and you can completely plead the fifth On this question, but is that the team that you had hoped to be on? Or did you have Did you desire another team and you wound up on on Kelly's team?

 

Presley Tennant  

So I mean, Kelly, for me, it was my first choice. Okay. But I also had like those moments where I was like we're doing when we Blake or Adam, only because Blake I feel like was just a goofball. And like, he can like, but you can still, like professionally, like, hear things and tell you what it like, what's up with it? And then Adam reminded me and my dad for some reason, and I was like, I feel like I could just have that bond. Like, he's just gonna tell me straight up the way like No, no sugarcoating, or on anything. But Kelly was just always there. Like at the top, it was just one of those things where, I mean, I grew up listening to her, she was my first concert ever, I used to sing her song because of you at like, every single little talent show thing near my house. And so when I got to work with her, and also like, when American Idol had like the PS two game, like it was like seeing Breakaway, and you could see the judges scores and see if you made it through when he got the golden ticket. It was like it was always breakaway. We're always saying that. And so I always really looked up to her, especially as like being a female powerhouse vocalist. That is something that I've always aspired and really inspired me. And so when I got to audition, it was just like that day I knew of like I got if I got a few chairs, like I knew I was just going to pick Kelly.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah. So how many chairs did you get? Because I didn't see the show. And now that you bring up chairs,

 

Presley Tennant  

I was one of the later ones. So I filled up a little bit like more of like the team, so there wasn't many even options to choose from. So Kelly would turn so I was so thankful for that. So I was like, Oh, praise it, I haven't.

 

Randy Hulsey  

The stars have aligned, right. So, in general, what what was the whole, you can kind of give us the cliff notes if you want. But what was the overall experience of the voice? Like for you?

 

Presley Tennant  

For me, the voice was such an incredible experience. I mean, I was 16 at the time. And so I was still doing high school, I had to be like artists, that teacher and everything. So I'd wake up from like seven to 12, sometimes earlier, and I do my schooling, and then I'd go to rehearsal, and then I'd go to wardrobe. And then I'd go to interviews, and then I'd come back and then I would just we'd have just jam sessions almost every single night. I mean, I went to a performing arts high school. But there wasn't there was a lot of singers there. But not like professional musicians that I got to be around. And so it was so refreshing. And I don't know, it was just so nice to be there and make so many friends. And like I know I can count on them for anything. Whenever if whenever I'm out, like indoor towels, I'm like, Oh, I'm reaching out, we're heading out, we're hanging out that type of thing. But as well as just working with so many incredible people, including like the staff and crew. And the coaches and the musicians who played on the show. They were just, I was taking everything. And I felt like I was a sponge. And so for me to have that experience at a very young age and be like, Oh my gosh, like I'm playing with some of the greatest musicians that are new, like I feel like ever play for anybody. It was just so cool to be there. And I know a lot of people have different experiences. I'm very, very fortunate that mine was such a good one.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah, that's great. I don't know what the duration was that you were, you know, from the time you went till the time you came back home, and it was all over with. But could you see growth in yourself in that time period, like from when you went in till the time you came out? Could you see man, I've grown so much like I've learned so much. And you did say you were a sponge? Yeah. But I was just trying to understand like, was it off the charts, stuff that you learned from these people? Or was it a little talk to me a little bit about that?

 

Presley Tennant  

I mean, I will say that I went on the show as just a pop artist. And I came off the show as a country artist, but I guess a little right after the show. But that's because, you know, during right before the show started, I was kind of in that Limbo period where I was like, I feel like pop is not who I am like the music I'm making is not who I am. And I feel like I'm being persuaded to be something that I'm not. And there's nothing wrong with that for other people. But for myself. I remember being told right before the show and it was like you have to be you have to be okay with being someone off state or on stage. And then when you're off stage, that's when you can have your normal life. But I was like I I look at country artists. And they get to do both. Like yeah, it might be a little more elevated but they still are who they are truly inside down. Yep. Just a little more out there, I guess. And so when I went on the show, I was kind of like already, I felt like in an identity crisis, and I was like, I'm 16 Why am I going through this right now I'm feeling this way. But I'm very grateful that I did feel that way. Because if I was going through that now, I feel like I just shouldn't give up because I'm like, my window of opportunity is like, slowing down. But when I came off the show, I don't even say that I would say during the show, I was in a coaching session with Kelly and she was for my, I think my top 24 performance. And I remember saying, like, it was a dolly or not Dolly Parton. It was a Miley Cyrus song, but it had kind of like a dolly, synth pop influence, it's nothing breaks like a heart. And if you heard it's like that, like kind of gallop be a little bit off. And so she was like, okay, like, let's try to figure this out, she was like, you have to go home at the end of the day, and look at yourself in the mirror, and be okay with exactly who you are and what you're doing. She was like, You have to believe in yourself for everyone else to believe in you. So you might as well just be your most authentic self. Otherwise, you aren't going to be happy. And so I really took that to heart. And once the show ended, I just kind of took a little step back and just reevaluate it and try to go back to like, where my roots are and where I'm from. I mean, my town, even it's just so so home, like, and everyone here is just like we have horses everywhere. I mean, it goes north as hosts, Horse Town, USA. And so it's like, I feel like that's already like been instilled in me like, I guess subliminally because I didn't recognize it when I was younger. But when I look back at it, I'm like, this is like where I grew up. And this is where I'm from. And so when I made that switch, it just felt so right. And so natural. And I know I wouldn't have been there without the voice. Yeah, I would have been continuing down the same path that I have been and just trying to understand why I was feeling a certain way.

 

Randy Hulsey  

You kind of answered the question, but I was going to ask you if country was if you really think that country is who you are, because I heard you mentioned Pat Benatar earlier and I wondered if you were a rocker at heart, but doing the country thing. Right. So and I think you answered that. But would you say that you truly are a country? A country singer at heart?

 

Presley Tennant  

I would say I mean, definitely more country than any of the other. But I definitely have some rock influences. I love me some 70s Rock, yeah. Great in the soul and all of it. I feel like country for me is another way for me to put myself out there like just kind of, it's still a part of me. But with little influences that are everywhere else with a little bit of raw little soul little pop. And there's no, I guess necessarily like limitations with any of that. And it's just a very broad generalized statement. But I feel like my style country is not like the next style of country. But I think that's what's really cool about it in that you have like your traditional country, you have your pop country and then you have all these different like little sub genres. Yes. But I take influences from it all to make my own little little creation of music, I guess.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah. Well, I've always said that I'm a rock pig like from from the day like you mentioned the 70s like 1978 was the most formidable year for me as a musician. That's what changed my life. And being a I'm gonna do Oh, right, myself and Chris Hughes, my my lead guitarist. We do this duo thing here in south Texas. And over time, I was never a country guy. Like I you know, of course I've heard it but I never followed it. I was the Rock and Roll guy and I had to learn to enjoy the music and understand the music and I have this love for it. I love the Americana genre. Now. There are so many great artists and I now I find myself you know, on this balance scale of justice, I feel like it tips more to that. That country side for some reason. It's it's kind of weird, and maybe, maybe it's an age thing. You know, they say that your taste buds change as you grow older and lots of things change and maybe maybe the music tastes change to there's nothing to me like good hard drive and rock and roll. I still love that. I love it loud. But But I have that country. I love that countryside as well. You don't have to love just one or the other. But you can take a little bit from all of them and and kind of meld it into what you want it to be 16 like 16 When you start you know got on the show that's some would consider that a baby like that's young. Right? And I think today you're probably the youngest on my show. So talk to the listeners what it's like for a 16 year Old to leave home and go somewhere and partake in such a memorable event. Most most people don't leave home until they're 18 or 19 years old to go do something crazy like that. Right. But I'm assuming the parents went out there with you. Can you talk a little bit about that, like the whole leaving and who went with you and that kind of thing?

 

Presley Tennant  

Yeah. So I mean, during my stay on the voice, I was myself. And because I was a minor, I had to have my parent with me, which I'm so glad she was because I don't think I could have had a roommate during that time, because everyone else got paired up with roommates. And I'm like, so much of a, like a, like a homebody. I like my independence. And I like to have my alone time, away from everybody. But I like to jump into everything. And so when she was there, it was just so like, she had to come with me for everything. And I love that. And it was very hands on, but like my, I didn't get to see my dad or my family very often. But granted, it was only a short period of time, or I wouldn't say too short, but also not super long. I think it was a couple of weeks where I was there. But it was it the time went by so fast. And I felt like it was just like, oh, like one week is done. Alright, two more weeks down. Oh, one more week. Oh, I'm done. I'm coming back home now. And I was like, I'm only like 40 minutes from home, because I didn't like Burbank or Hollywood area. And so I was like, Well, this is I'm literally right here. So it doesn't feel that much different. But like I couldn't necessarily see my dad because he was working all the time. And so it was a little difficult in that sense. But I was very lucky to have my mom there with me. Yeah,

 

Randy Hulsey  

that's interesting. I had no idea that that you were in Burbank, so it wasn't, you know, it wasn't like you're across the country or anything like that.

 

Presley Tennant  

It was North Hollywood. So like, right in between Burbank and Hollywood. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  

So like, 40 minutes away. I mean, but with with California traffic, it was like five hours away, technically.

 

Presley Tennant  

So 30 minutes to go three miles. And I'm like, exactly,

 

Randy Hulsey  

yeah. Welcome to Houston to Sao Paulo post voice voice the voice is over. What did the voice do to launch the post? The Presley tenant after the show, how did the voice help you?

 

Presley Tennant  

I would say that the voice honestly really opened up a lot of doors for me, not only for the fact of like just like performances and and shows that I was invited to do but it was a lot of like almost people took me more seriously. But I feel like that also could have just been an age thing. I can't figure out what it was because I feel like when you're 16 Everyone's like, oh, like it's gonna fade away. Like they're, she's gonna grow out of it. And she's gonna realize, blah, blah. And I'm like, Nope, I'm still here doing it four years later, and I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon. But I would say like, shows wise, it was a big thing. I was invited to play at a few different events called boots in the park. And so I got to open up for having just recently in my hometown, I opened up for Tim McGraw and Dustin Lynch. And then in San Diego, I opened up for Blake Shelton, Carly Pierce bright, young. Just so many incredible and influential names. And so I know from the voice that probably wouldn't have happened as well as it just I wouldn't even say that. It's like often the voice but the voice gave me the platform for people to literally listen to me and to put my name out there. Absolutely. I wouldn't say it's like, oh, like proceed on it from the voice like no, now it's just Presley tenant who happened to be on the voice but now you know her because of that,

 

Randy Hulsey  

right? But that Springboard never hurts anybody, right? Like, like your, your, your, your dynamic enough and good enough of a singer to certainly go out there and make your own way without the voice because you see people doing it all the time. However, it never hurts to have the voice like last you a little bit, right? Just give you a little little nudge of the little nudge? Absolutely. At some point in time your vocal style has been compared to, you know, some big names like Carrie Underwood, Whitney Houston. What's it like for a a young performer? Or probably any performer doesn't even have to be a young performer but to be compared to those two names like those are two of the biggest singers of our time. Right and to say, oh Presley tendency to even say your name in the same sentence as those two people like what does that mean to you as an artist?

 

Presley Tennant  

I mean, it is so it's very humbling and very exciting to know that people see me that way. Because when you look at these people, you think of how respected and how much how much of a voice and a name they are. I feel like and so for me to be compared to them is really, really cool. I don't know it just It's never something that I thought would have happened. Because I feel like I'm like, well, like I'm my own person like, and my own artists like, I don't think it's like we sound alike. And it's not even that we sound alike, but for the fact that like, I can hang with them.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah. No, it does. Absolutely.

 

Presley Tennant  

I don't even know what the right word is. But it's just the most like the coolest feeling ever to know. Like, people look at me as like in the same realm as them. I guess not like, fame wise or anything like that. But sound wise, like knowing that I can be be up there with them. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  

So in your short 10 year career, you've you've opened for some big names, too. You've mentioned some earlier, I wanted you to share a little bit with the listeners. You know, you mentioned Tim, and you met mentioned Blake, are there others that you've opened up for that were bigger names and have all of these people that you've mentioned, not that you've mentioned a lot, but of the people that you have mentioned? Are there any memorable moments that have come out of sharing stages with these performers that stick out in your mind?

 

Presley Tennant  

I mean, I I have opened up for like John, Michael Montgomery and Cody Johnson and Tyler rich and so many different incredible names. But honestly, my favorite one was when Kelly invited me out to sing with her in Vegas. I mean, I was already like, for me, because I looked up to her for so long. And then I got to meet her and she was just even more incredible in person. It was so cool to see you. That's like my mentor. And like my inspiration is like my friend. And then when she invited me out to Vegas, it was it happened to be my 17th birthday. And so she brought me out like a cake and send me happy birthday on stage. And I sang her song with her. And so that was definitely one of my most memorable performances. And I like have always made a joke every year around that time on my birthday. I'm like, right, Dad. Hey, this was my 17. So what are we doing next year?

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yes, yes. It's got to be better, bigger, better. Yeah. It's interesting. You talk about you know, it's kind of a surreal thing for you to be asked by Kelly to play a show with her multiple shows. And I've had guests on the show that have looked up to artists over time. And then they find themselves actually playing with those artists somewhere down the road. And one that I could think of was Michael Sweet, the lead singer for a Christian rock band called striper. Right. That was really big in the 80s. And after Brad Delp had passed from the rock band Boston, Michael became the lead singer for Boston for six years. And you know, I think this is this surreal thing that you grow up, you're listening to these people. Maybe you're idolizing them, maybe that's a strong word, but you you think they're really cool. And next thing you know, you're performing with them. That's gotta be a really surreal feeling. Like, wait, let me pinch myself. Am I really on stage with this person right now?

 

Presley Tennant  

It is the coolest feeling ever. There's, I don't know. I felt like the entire time. I just like had goosebumps. Like, I also never been starstruck. Actually. That's the last one other time. But

 

Randy Hulsey  

it was when you got onto this podcast and you saw me write

 

 

my I know I

 

Randy Hulsey  

have that ability. Carry on. I'm kidding. Carry on.

 

Presley Tennant  

My, I mean, I have never been starstruck and even like my mom. Like I noticed it because I felt like every time I was talking to Kelly, I was just like, Y'all was to the floor cooking five I'm like Presley, like are you okay? Like, are you? Are you good? Like are you? Do I need to take you to the doctors or something like that? How funny. Just purchased What have you got feeling like that everything Sure. never gotten easier. And I was like, You're just so cool. I want to be your best friend. That type of thing. Yeah.

 

Randy Hulsey  

It's funny, you know, we hold those artists at this. On this level. Like we think that they're their untouchables. And then we get around them and I've had everywhere from so tomorrow will be my 44th episode that I've dropped. And it really started out for for local artists like I would interview local artists and I've had some big names on the show. I've had, you know, four time Hall of Famers from the Statler brothers on my show. And it's so interesting that you would think that you would be starstruck by that but these are just normal people that sit and talk to you like, like you and I are talking like we've known each other all of our lives and it was the same way with them. And and I guess there are Some people that will be you know, starstruck, and they can't, you know, get past that. But at the end of the day, all these people are just like you and I and everybody else. They're they're normal people that, that have a talent, we all have a talent of some kind, right? And there's just happens to be a little more public than most. So that's cool that you've had these experiences so far. So earlier in the year, you mentioned that you had played a show called boots in the park with Blake Shelton, tell the listeners again, where the show was held. And what was the experience with Blake specifically?

 

Presley Tennant  

I mean, so it was at San Diego waterfront park. So it was like the weirdest but coolest venue I've ever seen. It was so narrow and so long, like you get to see like the USS Midway right on the water right there. Which is really cool. Because I was like, Oh, this is so cool. Like I'm performing and I get a view like, this is nice. Normally, I just see like people in the crowd and they like, or I don't I don't know how they're even standing up half the time. I'm pretty sure they want to fall. But I was like, Oh, I get the ocean. They get all the boats. No, but and it was just so cool to see that many people come together to really listen to some really great music and great people. Like set was insane. Obviously, as you can always imagine he brought up Glenn. So I was like, Oh, wow. Yeah, so I was like, that's so cool. But yeah, it was just a fun time overall and such a fun day.

 

Randy Hulsey  

It sounds like a great experience. And you know, speaking of playing live music and whatnot. I wanted to talk a little bit about your music now back in I think it was 2001 You had released quite a few singles. During that same year you or was gamble on you this year? Was it in 2021? It was this year, wasn't it? Okay. Okay, so you release somewhere around five and 2021 Then you had a recent one called gamble on you. As far as EPS go, are there any EPS out for you right now? Or are they all singles right now?

 

Presley Tennant  

So I am working on one right now. I can't say much about it. But in the meantime, I am releasing a bunch of singles just kind of get all of the music that I have prepared out there. I'm reading a lot I mean, I write all the time I probably have I think like 100 just written songs that I feel probably like never see the light of day because I'm like, no like that. Not me No, don't like that. But I feel like just because I'm such like a everyone's their worst critic. And so I love when I get to work with people and really be able to hear what they have to say on all these songs. And so I'm really fine tuning every little piece so I can make sure my like collection of songs that I want to put out there is just exactly the way I want.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Absolutely. I guess when you do it, you might as well do it right you want to be happy with the finished product and you want it to be polished too. I wanted to treat the listeners to a short clip of gamble on you which there's also a video out on YouTube I think if the listeners will just go and YouTube search Presley Tennant gamble on you they'll find the video but I'll share the clip and we'll come back and chat about the song a little bit Fair enough. Sounds good awesome

 

 

to see Tillman left handed chills losing check because I can't seem to get you off my mind. Show me a bogus joke come on Shadow me claim since you asked me again

 

Randy Hulsey  

great song Love that. Now that that doesn't take on a country life to me that that sounds more pot to me. Would you agree with kind of the Yeah, boxing it into a genre somewhere?

 

Presley Tennant  

i Yes. It is definitely not your typical country song. Yeah, so definitely has some more influences. But I feel like that's just the beauty about music. It has no limitations. To really express yourself. I feel like myself as an artist, I have such a large like identity in it. And so I love that I'm able to create what I love and get to put it out and have people really respect it.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yep, I've had so many people on the show that can't stand to be even though they are in a genre. I mean, we all have to be, I guess in a genre to it helps people to determine kind of what they're listening to but most artists don't want to be put in that box like they, you know this this buddy of mine that did the show is kind of a honky tonk, rockabilly kind of guy. But even though his music screams that that Baker's filled sound like he doesn't want to be, you know, people to think of him as a honky tonk, rockabilly guy like he's, he's whatever, he's whatever people want to be, I don't even know I don't even know how to say it. But they don't they don't like the parameters they don't like the box. And when you're when you're a dynamic singer, like you, you can go outside that box so easy. You can make it country you can, you can do pop, you can do rock and roll. So what why be in a box right? Now, is the song gamble on you? Is this a song that you wrote a song that you co wrote, talk to the listeners a little bit about the writing of the song.

 

Presley Tennant  

So this is a song I wrote, I was no I was in Nashville try, I was tracking in the next couple of days for a couple of new songs. And so I like was looking through my four songs that I picked out on I wasn't super in love with one of them. And I was like, I feel like I could write something a little bit better, or something that I that I feel like I can identify to right then in there in that period of time. And so, you know, it was like in the towel rooms scrolling through, like the TV channels playing around with my guitar, and I ended up on like the poker channel. So I just would have left there, and I didn't think anything of it. And then you know, I was texting this guy I really liked and I was like, I don't know how he feels this is I'm taking a risk because I'm telling him how much I like him. And I don't know if he's gonna feel the same way. So I like I sent basically like, all this stuff, and I was talking to him and I really enjoyed hanging out with him. Look back up the TV and the public channel was on and I was like, oh my god, lightbulb. And it was like love is like a gamble if you are taking a risk, and you can put everything that you have into it, but you don't know if you're gonna win big or if you're gonna lose at all. And I really was wishing that I was gonna win big because I didn't want my heart to be ripped out and like stomped on the floor and be like, hey, like

 

Randy Hulsey  

there's no fried right? You don't.

 

Presley Tennant  

But I was like, hey, at least I gave it my all but it actually ended up working out and the person I wrote the song about I'm still with him. Awesome. One big and so I you know, gamble on you. I feel like to me was just about taking risks. Yeah. Figuring out like as long as you like put your all into it. You can't regret the chances that you didn't take.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Absolutely. Isn't it interesting how you can have something like the poker channel up like, like, I don't even know if you're a poker fan or not. Maybe it was just a channel you stumbled across? And you just didn't feel like changing the channel? I don't know. But isn't it funny how the song it just comes out of nowhere and the inspiration can always hit at the oddest of times. And for the oddest of reasons to

 

Presley Tennant  

Oh, yeah, I mean, I remember when I was writing the song I like I've never played any sort of gambling game like I've never gambled ever played blackjack. And so I like turn my arm and I was like, Hey, Mom, do you know what some like poker or like gambling references are? And she was like, Okay, let's look through them. And so we like sat down, I think I had like a list of like 20 different types of like words and phrases that like somehow fit within gambling. Alright, guys, let's do this. It worked out and so I'm very, very proud of how it turned out.

 

Randy Hulsey  

It's always cool. I probably sound like not to you but to maybe somebody that listens to my show all the time. A little bit like a broken record, but I always say that there was two reasons that I ever started this podcast was the first reason was to learn more about the stories behind the songs that I enjoy because I am a connoisseur like a sponge for music. I've always been that person read the liner notes in the album like I'm just a junkie like that. So I hear a song like gamble on you that that I fall in love with that I like I want to know more about the song so that was one reason I started the podcast the other part was to expose people like you that to another set of listeners that maybe have never heard of Presley tenants so as a musician myself, it's kind of my way of reciprocating or giving back to my peers like like yourself, so I love the story behind the song and I was curious if you for the five singles in 2021 and gamble on you. Were they all recorded in the same place or do you go somewhere are different to record all of these talk to me a little bit about that.

 

Presley Tennant  

I think those songs were recorded in three different places. And so I'm very, I think my first one that I ever released was temporary. And that was recorded by Ken wells. And that was, I remember, we recorded it. I think it was a dark horse and Franklin, the coolest recording place I've ever been to and it's like a cabin in the middle of like, I don't know if it's like the woods or the forest or bed the same thing. But it was just so green. There was so high in the dam build and oh my god, I was sweating. But I was like, well, at least it's keeping the vocals nice and warm. It was feel Yeah, but it was just so cool to be there. And then the others were recorded, I think, bite the bullet. I'm trying to think of what other songs I think it was half that strong, was recorded with Buddy HYAH and Chuck Rhoades done at hilltop recordings. And they are phenomenal people. I loved how the songs turned out. And I feel like just the way that even the way of how the music was was just, they I felt like they knew exactly what I wanted to get from it. Yeah, it's really cool. And then my last couple more recent songs, was recorded at Black River. First the sound stage at Black River and then with Jeff Haskins. And so I love how those songs turned out to and I don't know, I feel like with each and every place that I've recorded out with each and every different person, I feel like there's just a new take on it, which I think is really cool.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah, that's, that's cool to hear that story about being in a studio like, you know, out the middle of nowhere, I had a guest on my show that has written number one songs for Keith Whitley and George Strait. And Reba and a bunch out of Nashville. He was he's out of Louisiana. And he was a session musician for a while at a place in Bogalusa. And it was called studio in the country. And it was literally a small recording studio in the middle of nowhere Louisiana, and big bands like Kansas and and Paul McCartney and Wings. And you know, a lot of these guys came there because it was a way for them to get away from hustle and bustle and just focus on what they were there to do. So there's a lot to be said for these little, these little gems off the beaten path. It doesn't have to be an Abbey Road, or it doesn't have to be, you know, Electric Lady studios like that everybody you know, wants to get in there and record because some of the greatest have some of the best are just the little ones that are tucked away, that do a great job for sure. Would you say that song writing comes easy for you? Or is this something that Presley really has to sit down and work at?

 

Presley Tennant  

I feel like it just depends on the song. Typically, I would say it comes fairly easy if I know exactly what I want to write about. But it's hard when it's like, I feel like I am out of ideas or I'm lacking inspiration. Because I feel like for me, a lot of times I hear something that someone has said, I'm like, oh, that could be a cool lyric. And so I go home, and I'll just like write it down when I hear right then and there. And I'll go home and I'll be like, Okay, how can I work this into something? What do I want to say with this? And then I'm able to get a full song. But then it's like when I feel like I'm just writing just because I'm like, oh, I should probably write a song today. That's like nothing comes out of it. Because I'm like, I'm literally trying to force something that's it's not natural. It doesn't make any sense. But typically, when I go in and like know exactly what I want to say, it comes fairly easy.

 

Randy Hulsey  

I think that a lot of people kind of just let it happen organically. But there are some that I've had on my show. And I asked him that question. And they literally set aside time on their calendar during the day to sit down and force themselves to write and maybe they don't write a song, but they they come up with ideas and keywords and things of that nature. Right? Yeah.

 

Presley Tennant  

Whenever it's organically it always is like the most inconvenient times where I like half the leave and like 30 minutes I'm like talk to me,

 

Randy Hulsey  

right? Or you're somewhere you have no paper no pen, nothing. Yeah, it's like and then the and then it's a fleeting thought and you can't remember oh my god. Well, I knew I wouldn't forget that. But I can't remember what I was thinking earlier today. Wait

 

Presley Tennant  

three in the morning and I'm like just sitting in bed. I'm like, I can't sleep. So I might as well write a song and I'm up to like six in the morning and then I wake up I try to wake up by like nine which is like three hours and I'm like zombie the next time like myself

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah, well I do. I don't do anything at three o'clock in the morning the songwriting we just have to wait until the next day but

 

Presley Tennant  

it's a really interesting So he says in there when it's at three o'clock, and I'm sure I look back the next morning and you're like, What the hell

 

Randy Hulsey  

is thinking? Or what was I dreaming even right? What age? Was it that you? Do you remember writing your first full song that you would call a song? Do you remember what age

 

Presley Tennant  

you are? So I mean, I always started writing like little little things when I was fairly young, like I would journal everything. So it's like, like, Dear Diary, like that kind of stuff. I've always done that. But I never thought about turning it into a song up until I wouldn't want to say I was 13 or 14. Okay. And then I think I wrote a song called like, don't take the summer yet, because I didn't want to go back to school. Okay, I was like, don't take the summer. Yeah, it was like, it was so fun. It was I look back at it now. And I'm like, it was corny. What else 14 or 13 year old supposed to write about like, write that write off your life experiences I could write about? Yeah, oh, my dog was barking at the plant in the tree. That's what I could write about right. Now, they're not going back to school. I was like, I've seen back school posters. I don't want to look at them, mentally. But I would say my first song that I wrote by myself completely, is a song that I wrote called the woods. And I remember I got I wrote it on Christmas Day, because I just got like a little keyboard piano thing. And I just kind of like had this idea of like, almost kind of like my story of figuring out where I was in life. And I felt like, I don't know, I didn't want to go down a wrong path. So I was just on my own. And it's like, basically about like the story of Little Red Riding Hood and how I could relate to her. And now there's going to be bad influences everywhere. And it's just whether or not you stick to what you know, or if you decide to stray away and go down those paths. And so I felt like, that was what the first song that really like meant something to me. I know, it's probably out there somewhere. I think it's still out, but I'm not 100% Sure. recorded and released. So once I was like, This is so cool. I feel very proud of myself, except I sent it to my producer. And it was like, Girl, what is this musical? Like, I have no idea. This is why I texted you it

 

Randy Hulsey  

exactly. If you were not singing, what would you do for a living?

 

Presley Tennant  

Well, I, if it's like, if I'm still in the music industry, and but I'm not singing, I would just be a songwriter. I could do that. I would love that. But if for some reason music was not in the picture whatsoever. I would be a real estate agent with

 

Randy Hulsey  

my dad. Really? So that's what he does for a living. Hmm,

 

Presley Tennant  

yes, he has. He has his own brokerage and office. And so actually, I'm, I have one more test, like through the state and then I'm a licensed Realtor.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Cool. What do you think you? Do you have time to dabble in that? No, or not really? Not really.

 

Presley Tennant  

I think it was just a thing for me to say like, Oh, I did it. And yeah, I only did it one time in my life. And so and I wasn't going to school and during COVID I was like I might as well just do something with my time. Start something up just to keep myself busy and learning and educating myself since I'm not in college, but in other ways that I can help further myself.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah. So it's a it's a great field. My oldest son just had their first baby five months ago, my first grandbaby. And he's he's a licensed realtor and works with a national company. And he's kind of done that since high school, he just kind of, for whatever reason, gravitated towards it and put himself through the schools and has become successful at it. So I have real estate in the family too. I've never done it. I'm in sales for a living, but I don't sell real estate. Great, great field, you and it's always good to have that default something to fall back on to you know, they've music doesn't work, or you get to the age where you just kind of get burned out. And that's that can be with construction. It can be with anything. It's not just a music thing. But we always need an alternative to fall back on for sure. What can you share with the listeners, regarding a tour shows? I know that you mentioned earlier you couldn't talk too much about a new release. But anything that you can share that maybe we haven't touched on as it relates to your music, your touring your shows.

 

Presley Tennant  

So there is a lot of upcoming shows happening very soon. I again can't say too much about the details yet. We're still finalizing everything, but it should be coming out very soon. And that'll all be on my social media. So if anyone wants to stay updated, they can find it all there soon.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Awesome. And then were speaking of so Social media where can the listeners find Presley tennet on the internet,

 

Presley Tennant  

you can find me on all my social media which is at Presley Tennant. So PR e s le y, te and nant. The only one that's different, I think is Facebook. And that's press attended official. We are just talking about this. I hate that it was taken, so I had to go with the next best thing. Or you could just go to my website, which is precedented.com and has everything linked there.

 

Randy Hulsey  

Yeah. And I'm always like that, too. I can't remember the socials half the time and I always say you can find me at Randy hulsey.com or backstage pass radio.com It's just the easiest. And then you know from there, I'm not really that hard to find much like you if somebody goes and Google's Presley tenant, they'll find you one way or another. Yeah, so I don't know. You know, I'll keep an eye out on the the website for tours. If you're ever down in the Houston area. I have some guitars that all of my guests on the show. I have them sign it. So if you're ever through Houston or if I'm ever out in California, I'll I'll trap you and make you sign a guitar for me. It sounds good. Yeah. And so Presley. Thanks so much for being gracious with your time. And I'm glad this interview worked out. It's been a pleasure chatting with you. As always, I asked the listeners to like, share and subscribe to the podcast. And I also ask that you follow Presley on all of her socials, and also check out Presley tennant.com I'm sure there's merch out there right Presley that, that people can pick up from Presley tennant.com Right. Yeah, so make sure you guys follow her on all of her social media outlets. Again, you can follow my Show on Facebook at backstage radio podcast on Instagram at backstage pass radio, Twitter at backstage pass PC and on the website at backstage pass. radio.com You guys take care of yourselves and each other. And we'll see you right back here on the next episode of backstage pass radio.

 

Adam Gordon  

Thanks so much for joining us. We hope you enjoyed today's episode of backstage pass radio. Make sure to follow Randy on Facebook and Instagram at Randy Halsey music and on Twitter at our Halsey music. Also, make sure to like, subscribe and turn on alerts for upcoming podcasts. If you enjoyed the podcast, make sure to share the link with a friend and tell them backstage pass radio is the best show on the web for everything music. We'll see you next time right here on backstage pass radio