The first thing that hits you about singer-songwriter Elaina Kay is her confidence and spunk as a performer and a writer. Her wisdom doesn’t yet come from decades of being on the road, but an old soul vibe has infused itself into her music anyway. Her sound confidently bridges the Red Dirt Oklahoma songwriter tradition with the Texas troubadour history of her home state. Much like her hometown of Wichita Falls (or Texoma as some call the area), her music walks the borderline between both influences and creates an exciting new sound.
“I like to write about what most people don’t like to touch, and that’s what the new album is going to be about. Not being afraid to sing about what’s not exactly pretty, but real life situations.”
Elaina Kay grew up where Red Dirt music originated on a ranch where her family ranched, farmed, and trained horses for a living. Her passion for the outdoors and the cowgirl lifestyle came at an early age, but her true calling came in her family’s garage. Her older brother played in bands as a teenager, covering everything from The Rolling Stones and The Beatles to Pearl Jam and George Strait. Elaina was the blonde-headed little girl singing along word for word. In high school she joined the choir, and soon started writing songs and picking the guitar with some of her ag class buddies. “I think I’ve always written in some form or fashion, it was my escape from an unstable home life,” she recalls.
While in college at Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas, she realized music was where she belonged. Songs started pouring out between her classes and weekends competing on the Tarleton Rodeo Team. She found a new well of inspiration in “The Cowboy Capital of the World,” realizing that drinking beer with cowboys could get you in some bad situations (even jail time) and leave you with a lot of heartache.
Elaina graduated from playing tailgates to playing bars in her area and opening for some of the most popular bands in Texas music. It wasn’t long after she started performing that she got asked to work with Josh Serrato from 6 Market Blvd. in a local recording studio. She later joined up with Chris Gage, award-winning producer and musician for Jerry Jeff Walker, as well as Grammy winner Lloyd Maines. She hit the road playing and selling her freshman album all over the U.S. and performs every year in Las Vegas during the National Finals Rodeo. She has also made several appearances on hunting shows on The Sportsman’s Channel, taking veterans and war heroes out on hunts and playing music.
Mike McClure asserts, “Elaina Kay writes unflinching tunes from the heart. Susan Gibson sings on one with her about her mother drinking beer in the bathtub. Great stuff.” Based on praises given by mentors like McClure and CMA Award-winning songwriter Gibson, Elaina Kay is a singer-songwriter ready make some noise among the Texas/Red Dirt scene. -Jana Pochop
Describe the process of where music began for you and how you decided to become a singer/songwriter.
Honestly, writing music has saved my life. As a young girl I always had a diary or journal and I would write when things got tough or I was confused. I think this is what lead me into song writing. I wouldn’t be a singer and a performer if it wasn’t for the actual songwriting, and getting to express how you feel through a song. It is the coolest thing ever seeing people react and relate to a song, or just enjoy the way it sounds.
Do you think that growing up on a ranch influenced your music?
Not in the sense that I write “cowgirl songs” or country, ranchy songs, because I really don’t, because I have trouble making them sound cheesy.. But I definitely am influenced by the hard working lifestyle and the cowboy character. I do seem to compare all men to that and I think that comes out in my songwriting in one way or another.
Was your family always supportive of your musical pursuits?
Yes and no. I think it scared them a lot, seeing me take this path that is very up and down, not the most secure and stable lifestyle. They do not know much about the music business at all so they really had no advice or direction for me. Now that they have seen me do it, and learned with me, they are much more understanding and supportive, but still always a little worried that I might never get married or have a “normal life” as they call it.
You are on the road a lot. What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a traveling musician?
My favorite part is traveling with my band and meeting new people and seeing new places. I really like to move around a lot. I get bored easily. That is why I could never do a 8-5 office job. I love doing something different everyday and not knowing what to expect or who I could meet. My least favorite part is the exhaustion of late nights and traveling, and being away from my dog, Lila. I also miss riding horses everyday. Also having to miss things like friends weddings and such because my weekends are basically my weekdays.
What have been some of the highlights of your music career?
Highlights no doubt have been the bands we have gotten to open for. It has been a dream of mine to share the stage with bands that I have looked up to and been inspired by throughout the years. Such as- Mike McClure, Whiskey Myers, Uncle Lucious, Kyle Park, K Phillips, No Justice, and so on.
What do you see on the horizon?
I see us staying on the road even more, playing bigger shows, and playing more festivals. I can not even wait.
Thanks to my dad, he is my number one fan, and the whole family in Wichita Falls! Proud to be where I am from.
Elaina Kay maintains a full touring schedule. Bounce on over to her website or Facebook to see when she is playing a show near you.
www.elainakay.com
www.facebook.com/elainakaymusic
