Allie Sealey

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Allie Sealey: How many times can you try out for the Voice/, ISSA

Interview conducted on December 23, 2020

By Dan Locke

Allie Sealey is a Nashville Singer/Songwriter who used to perform songs for her grandfather while being his primary caregiver. She began having migraines in high school and they turned into Chronic Migraine Disease in college where she struggled to maintain school, jobs and relationships.

What is your upbringing?

I grew up in the East Bay Area, California. I loved to play sports and grew up with a very active lifestyle.

How did you discover music?

My parents used to blast Lynyrd Skynyrd, ACDC, Rolling Stones, Travis Tritt, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, LeAnn Rimes, Bone Thugs and Harmony, Eminem, Aretha Franklin, … I mean everything and anything! I always sang and danced and especially wanted to put on a show. When my parents divorced, I more specifically started to escape in music and found healing in songs.

How did you start to write music?

I always wrote poetry growing up in schools and would make up melodies often. It evolved into rapping and when I finally got the guts to start using my voice, I started making whole songs.

Describe your music.

My music is authentic. It is whatever I want it to be. I don’t put myself in a box I just create. I love such a variety of music, but found myself in Country music because of its storytelling and freedom to be yourself. I would say more or less that genre is mine, but I have other influences from R and B, Rock, and Soul as well.

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

My first guitar was because I was too chicken to sing in front of people without something as a kind of barrier between me and the audience. I was actually in beauty school at the time and it was there that people started telling me I was a singer and they didn’t understand why I never used my voice. It started giving me the confidence to take action toward my dream. It got stolen actually out of my Chevy Silverado when I was at beauty school because I used to take breaks and try to teach myself how to play. My grandpa then bought me an Ibanez from Guitar Center and I promised him I would use it to start playing.

What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model? Does it have a name?

I like to use Gibson because I just mostly strum and it has great resonance and tone that I love. I use a Gibson J45 at most of my gigs, but I also have a Songwriter Deluxe that was given to me when I first moved to Nashville.

What was your first performance like?

I plugged in at a bar in Walnut Creek called Tiki Toms. I just had no fear about it and went ahead and started trying out my songs and singing with the guitar. It actually afforded me the opportunity to have a VIP audition with American Idol back then and that was a little piece on what got me started down the path.

What makes a good songwriter?

Musicians may tell you a bunch of jazz chords and interesting chord changes. That can be true, but if you ask me, I would just tell you if it is authentic and you make me believe it then that is pretty dang good.

What is the process of writing your music?

It can vary, but I usually think of song titles, melodies, or even lyrics and they transcend themselves and evolve into a song.

How was it to sing the National Anthem the first time?

I was terrified and anxious, but somehow, I have been able to do it a few times.

How many times did you tried out for The Voice?

Since the first season.

Are you going to do it again? Have you looked into the other shows like it?

I have been on live interviewed making it passed several rounds for American Idol, The Four, The Voice, and others like it. Maybe I am not meant for TV lol.

Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?

Yes, ISSA and ASCAP.

How was it to have your version of Wynonna’s “No One Else on Earth” to be used for Country Rebel clothing line?

I have been grateful my friends at Country Rebel have been so kind to me in sharing quite a few of my covers and an original this year. It means the world to me and I thank you for listening.

How did you work out the royal deal of using her song?

There are ways to license cover songs before distribution.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

I am not really sure because I have been writing songs and poems since I was a kid. My first song on guitar that I remember was about my Chevy Silverado lol.

How was it to share the stage with the likes of Lauren Alaina and Runaway June?

I was extremely nervous, but they were supportive and uplifting. They inspire me and watching Lauren Alaina kill it in her performance made me dream even more for one day to be afforded the opportunity to be able to perform like that as well.

How was CMA Fest?

CMA Fest is a great time every year. Sadly, this year we didn’t have that opportunity to perform, but I do enjoy being a part of it every year.

I see you have finally got your first record deal. How long have you been working on getting a deal?

I have crowdfunded two musical projects in the form of CD’s and just keep my head down focusing on the art and my passion. A record deal is just taking the same thing I have been doing and going into it with more people. I really enjoy having a positive team of people who want us to succeed and do well. Some may say there are never any guarantees in this business of course when it comes to radio play, hit songs, and TV Shows. However, I can guarantee if you love what you do and you do what you love then LOVE will return to you. That has happened in my life and I am certainly grateful. Grateful every day I get another day to play music for a living and hopefully we will be able to continue for a long time.

I see you have recorded a few xmas song Mistletoe Moments, 12 Redneck days of Christmas and Santa Baby. Are you planning to do a xmas cd in the future?

It has been on my mind! LOL. One song at a time 🙂 Maybe 2021?! Sounds like a fun project!

What is your favorite track on the album?

On the album Long Road my favorite recording is probably, “Wherever I Go” because my grandpa was so instrumental to my life and music and always will be.

How different is “” to your first recording “Best Friend”

It has some different influences in it where as “Best Friend” really stays true to that traditional country sound in my opinion.

How do you stay healthy while performing?

I work out regularly and try to eat a balanced diet. I don’t deprive myself, but I do eat a lot of vegetables and a high fiber diet. I also take a lot of vitamins to try to keep myself healthy.

What are your feelings about streaming music?

I think it has given us a place to put our music and serves a good purpose. I know that our royalties are small little fractions of pennies, but it has been helpful for a lot of people in getting their music out there.

How can people forget about the origin hashtag # Sharp in a musical score? Because of social media #sonyrecords vs. F#

Haha, if one forgets, you can bet they will get reminded real quick HAHA!

Digital vs. vinyl?

Let’s have our cake and eat it too. I am going for both. The more choices the better. You may like chocolate and I may like vanilla ice cream. Let’s have both.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

“All I Can Do is Write About It” – Lynyrd Skynyrd – it grows in meaning and continues to become my life more and more.

Both Pfizer and BioNTech have conclude Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the vaccine, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?

Any of us could hypothesize, but time will tell.

How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)

I think everybody is just doing the best they possibly can in the enlightenment of the moment. When we look at what we DO have and not what we DON’T and live right here in this very moment… everything is okay. It doesn’t mean we are without suffering or problems. It just means that no matter what our circumstances we can experience serenity even in the midst of great chaos and disagreement. All will either be well or it will not, but I have a choice on how I want to look at that. I will try to find the good while this time passes into new horizons.

Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

Absolutely, it has been a pretty hard year for musicians, tour managers, audio engineers, and the like. I know there will be lasting changes in all areas of expertise including the music business.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

I have continued to release music, perform live, and work on new music.

How many times a week do you do videos online?

Generally, several live videos and some covers for YouTube. It is my primary focus right now.

How was it to win a music award from Holland?

It surprised me and makes me want to travel out of the country. As we know, that is not possible right now, but I can hope for the future! 🙂

How is it to perform daily in Nashville, TN?

Performing live in Nashville has changed significantly since the pandemic. I am not doing as much out there and have wanted to focus on being more intentional with my art during this time.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

Yes, Call of Duty Modern Warfare. It is addicting and usually I play right before I go to bed. I have to set a timer now so I don’t stay up all night.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

Netflix: Blacklist

With the streaming services (Disney (50+ new shows/movies Lizzie McGuire, The Sandlot, Beauty and the Beast prequel, Moana, Cars, Soul, Raya and the Last Dragon, Sister Act 3, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and Wendy, all future Star Wars and Marvel movies and shows) and HOB Max ( including Wonder Woman 2, Godzilla vs Kong, Top Gun: Maverick, Mortal Kombat, Tom and Jerry, The Many Saints of Newark, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, In the Heights, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, Dune, The Matrix 4) planning to pull all the upcoming movies from next year and put them on their streaming service. How will that affect the entertainment industry?

One thing you have to remember also most these movies are already in the can ready to be release. And the original agreement was for the movies to come out at the theater first. The actors and crew make most of their money from the residuals (financial compensations that are paid to the actors, film directors and other involved (including music) in the making of the movie in cases of reruns, syndication, DVD release, and online streaming release).

It creates a challenge for us on the way we promote new releases and put-on events for it as well. It forces us to come up with innovative ideas for promotion, getting people involved in projects, and building excitement virtually.

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?

Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means things like the playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I think it may vary from artist to artist. I have found live streaming to be effective and interactive with potential to actually reach more people and you can still sell merchandise from your website.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

I think it is great, but I do like variation and changing things up a lot.

If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?

Writing, working out or playing Call of Duty.

What is your happy place?

Trying to see how I can put a smile on someone’s face.

How is Tik Tok going?

TikTok is a fun platform. I try to go live every once in a while, there also.

Anything you would like to say in closing.

Thank you for being. a part of my journey and taking the time to get to know me a little bit better. This has been a journey of continued stories and I am so grateful to share my music with people. I hope to positively impact others and let people know that in the face of tragedy, confusion, hardship, and financial insecurity there is LOVE, HOPE, and FREEDOM in a song.