10 Questions with ... RAELYNN

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

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RaeLynn was a stand-out on NBC-TV's "The Voice," where she captured the hearts and ears of the American public and forged a friendship with her "The Voice" coach - now Warner Music Nashville label mate - Blake Shelton. The product of a divorced home, and with the wisdom that has come from her recent years in the business and her marriage, RaeLynn has channeled her energy in to the recently-released "WildHorse" album. Spotlighted on Pandora's Artists to Watch list for the new year, 2017 is already proving to be a career year for singer-songwriter RaeLynn. Following the highly-anticipated release of her Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville debut single "Love Triangle" to the overwhelming response of critics, the stunner has sold over 100,000.

1. Hi RaeLynn! Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today! The last time we spoke was in early 2014, and a lot has changed since then. You've got a brand new album, "WildHorse," coming out this month. Can you tell us about the project? Will it feature some older songs like "Love Triangle," which we know you've saved up for some time?

That's the beauty of "WildHorse," the fact that this record really has every stage of where I've been in the last four years. Some of these songs I wrote towards the end of last year, and then some songs I wrote when I was 17 years old. Like, "Praying For Rain" I wrote when I was 17. "Young" I wrote when I was 17. "Lonely Call" I wrote when I was 19. Every song takes you through the journey of where I've been. That's why I knew it needed a name, because I didn't want it to just be "RaeLynn" the self-titled record. It really just shows you my crazy wild life and everything that I've been through. It's really cool to see how all of these songs have so much time between them, but they all fit!

2. One of the songs, "Say," features your label mates Dan + Shay. What was it like working with the two of them? Can you give us the backstory on that song?

I wrote "Say" when I was 18 years old, right when I met Josh, my husband. Josh is very quiet and doesn't say a lot. When you get to know him, he'll talk to you a lot. When I first met him, he was very quiet, and I'm a very talkative person. I'll tell you how I feel, and we could start talking about life in two seconds. Anyway, I remember we were dating for a couple weeks, and I was really upset. I was like, "This guy isn't showing me that he loves me! I just don't get this!" I was being a typical girl. But I could tell in his actions that he did care for me. I remember telling his mom, "I don't think Josh really likes me. He doesn't say it." She said, "Well, I've never seen him act the way he does before." That's when I had the idea. I can hear everything that you can't say. You might not say that you love me or say these things, but the way that you act towards me and the things that you do for me - I can tell that you love me. I played that song for Dan + Shay so many years ago. I've known them since I was 19. I remember replaying them that song, and they said, "Oh my god! This song is amazing! Wouldn't it be cool if we did this song with you one day?" I was like, yeah whatever that will never happen. And then, when we were on the same label and I decided I was going to cut this song, I was like, "Oh my gosh! You guys have to sing on this song with me!" And so they did. It was funny because they were on tour when we recorded this song. They did all of their vocals on the tour bus.

3. The Country landscape has changed since we last spoke. Do you think it's an exciting time to be putting out music, and where do you think your music fits in?

I think it's the best time to put out new music. I am so excited to be in this new realm of where Country music is going. Everything is so fresh, and every new artist has their own lane. I think that is so cool! I think that the lines are kind of blurred as to what is supposed to work. If it feels good and it's great music, it's going to work. I think that that is so cool. My music is very Country Pop. That's where I fit in. I know that. I tend to write more Pop melodies. I'm just a product of the way I've been raised. I was raised on Country music and Top 40 radio. I was raised with listening to Shania Twain and Destiny's Child. That's what was on my playlist growing up. Of course that's going to go into my songwriting and into the way I write. I would definitely say my record is more Country Pop.

4. You've got a new record deal with Warner Music Nashville. How did that partnership come about, and what about Warner felt like the right fit?

I have known everybody here since I was 17 since being really close with Blake [Shelton]. They've always been like a home away from home. They've always been so sweet to me. [Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito] Espo has always been one of the nicest guys. He's always been such a fan. When I was looking for a new label home, I knew this is one of the first places that I wanted to visit. I love everybody here. It would be like going home to a place that I already knew. I am so glad I made that decision to come here, because when I walk in it's like family. Everyone here has my best interest at heart, and they champion the artist that I want to be. They don't question when I say that I want to pick this picture over this picture or if I want this certain look or if I want to go with this certain song. They really trust my instincts, and I think that is something so beautiful about this label.

5. You obviously learned a lot from Blake Shelton on the "The Voice," and he has been a great mentor to you over the years. What are you learning from him now as you tour together?

I had never really seen his show until I went on tour with him. If you had never been a Blake fan, if the first time you experienced him was going to his show, you would leave thinking that you are his best friend. He is so talented on stage. He is an incredible entertainer, but he is so comfortable. It's like he's hanging out with a bunch of his buddies when he's on stage. I think that is something that any artist can take from Blake - to be yourself and to take your time. When I first started performing, I was like the Tasmanian devil up there. I would just talk a million miles a minute. I would rush through my set. I never actually soaked it up, the crowd's response and all that. Over the years, watching him has been really fun.

6. You also just announced your own headlining tour, "The Rave Tour." Can you tell us how that came together and explain the concept to anyone who might not know?

"The Rave Tour" is lots of fun! We're going to start it off with a playlist, and then I'm going to play for an hour. Then we're going to have a big dance party after - a big rave. I love going dancing. It's one of my favorite things to do. I love having bus dance parties and just having so much fun. I actually thought it was crazy at first to do this, but I was talking to my manager and a few people around me and I said, "Is this crazy or is this a really good idea?" I think it's going to be different and something fresh. I want my fans to leave with an experience. I don't want them to leave with, "Oh Rae is a great singer" or "She can song write." I want them to leave saying, "Oh my god that was the most fun concert I've been to this whole year!" That is what I want people to leave with - an experience. I want them to tell their friend and be like, "You have to go to a 'Rave' show! Not only does she play her music, but we have a big dance party, and it was awesome!" So that's the whole concept. It's more about the experience of it.

7. Since we last spoke, you got married - congrats! How has that changed you as an artist? How has it influenced the music you're making, and how has it been on the road?

Being married to somebody like Josh has made me more of a confident person. When you're confident in your personal life and in your relationship, it makes you more confident - I know it makes me more confident - in work and artistry. I have somebody that is always there for me and is going to always help me through anything. He is by far one of the most amazing people I've ever met, and he champions my dreams just as much as I do. I think that's super special to find. It's so awesome to be young and married and in this industry together!

8. It seems as though female artists who are most successful with female listeners give their listeners something to believe in. You have fans of all ages, but especially young women and girls. What is it that you hope your listeners believe in you?

When a young girl meets me or hears my record - one thing that I always kind of dealt with growing up was it took me a while to figure out and be confident with the person that I am and the person that I want to be and the fact that I am unique and that's okay. I want every girl to know that nobody is the same. Whatever makes you unique, champion that in yourself and don't make it a bad thing. You're not going to look the same as the girl to your left or right - or the same if you're a guy - and you've just got to know that God made you beautiful and different in your own way. I hope this record gives every girl that confidence. I know sometimes I needed that, and if I could give any advice to a young girl, it's to know that it's okay to be different.

9. 2016 was a great year for you and 2017 is already looking awesome. Do you have any specific goals for this year that you hope to accomplish?

I have so many things! I hope of course that "Love Triangle" goes number one. That would be a massive goal for me! I want to travel a lot! I want to travel as much as I can and meet as many fans as I can. That is my goal this year; just to plant as many seeds. I'm super excited to see what this record is going to do. It'd be awesome to be nominated for a CMA Award. I would say that's definitely a goal.

10. Outside of music, you have the RaeLynn Diabetes Fund and you're a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk. How did that partnership come about, and what does it mean to you to be the voice for those impacted by Type 1, Type 2, and Juvenile diabetes?

Well, the Novo Nordisk thing just came with me living with diabetes. It's something that I deal with every day. It's something that I've had since before I decided that I wanted a career in music. It was so organic, and I love Novo so much. The company is absolutely flawless and incredible. To be able to share my diabetes story to impact others is the best thing in the world. Like I said earlier, I always want to inspire young girls. If I can inspire a young girl with diabetes who might think, "What am I going to do with my life? I can't do anything," I'm just a walking example that as long as you take care of yourself and do what you're supposed to with your disease, anything is possible. With the RaeLynn Diabetes Fund, it's hard having to have Type 1 diabetes. There are a lot of bills and things that go into it, and I wanted to be able to create a fund where I can donate to certain organizations or hospitals or families to help with hospital bills, or maybe a new department for a certain diabetes section at a hospital. I just want to be able to give money to whatever I'm passionate about, so im really excited about this fund!