Makenzie Phipps- I’m just a small-town girl making dreams come true… paving my own way into a true country artist
Interview conducted April 28, 2021
By Dan Locke
A small-town girl raised in beautiful Bluefield Virginia; Miss Makenzie LaRhea Phipps has been making her way around the music scene for quite some time now. Growing up as a child, Makenzie began performing at a young age. From singing the National Anthem at local sporting events to now paving her own way in country music. Makenzie is spreading her love of music in a whole new way. Strong vibrant vocals mix with her distinct unique voice, to weave a recipe for her own style of music. She hopes to open up doors with her unique southern style that adds a flare of soul to her sound. Makenzie has now been featured on Country Rebel, one of the largest country media platforms around.
You were raised in Bluefield, Virginia. What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Bluefield, VA with my Mom, Dad and brother. I grew up with music all around me. My family has a lot of singers/songwriters/musicians, so I feel that it was destined for me to follow in the footsteps of my family!
How did you discover music?
Growing up in church with my Maw Maw. She would always have me learn new hymns to sing every Sunday. I started singing at the age of 4.
How did you start to write music?
Growing up learning piano and guitar, I would have lessons sometimes where I was challenged to write. That’s how it all got started. Writing my own songs has always been a kind of therapy for when something good or bad has happened in my life.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My Mom and Dad purchased my first guitar in the year 2017. I gave it up for a couple of years to my cousin, but ended up getting it back. I always hoped I’d have it with me again. So now, my Baby Taylor is back home with me.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
I absolutely love my Gibson! It’s a 2019 Gibson Acoustic Hummingbird M Walnut Burst. When I went to look for a guitar, my mom kept trying to convince me to get this Taylor that she thought was beautiful. There was just something about that Gibson that kept me hooked from the moment I played it.
Describe your music.
I think it’s a mix of classic country and modern. I absolutely love that classic country sound. So, I really would like to keep that sound alive in my music. I’ve had many say that I have a bluesy element as well, like a Chris Stapleton vibe. I like to throw that style in there occasionally as well depending on what song I’m singing.
What was your first performance at like?
Goodness, I don’t know if I remember my first performance. Maybe it was the National Anthem. I was super nervous! I was 11, I think. My mom’s friend had asked if I would come and sing the National Anthem for a local minor league baseball team. I knew the song of course, but hadn’t really listened to it thoroughly. After I got it memorized, I became a lot more confident with it. My first gig I ever played was at a Brewery/Restaurant.
How was it to perform the National Anthem twice?
I’ve actually performed the National Anthem quite a bit for all sorts of events and it is always an honor to do it. I think to this day, I’ve probably sang it close to a hundred times!
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I am not yet, but I am currently looking into it.
What makes a good songwriter?
Putting your heart and soul into it. Sounds a bit cliche, but it’s the truth. You’ve got to feel the music, the words, the message. It’s what makes the song a song. Heart and soul definitely.
What were the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The first song I’d ever written was called “My One and Only”. I actually got to record it at my cousin’s studio in Maryland. It was awesome getting to work with my family on it and learning the ways of a recording studio.
How was it to be featured on Country Rebel?
A dream comes true! I had seen so many talented artists on their page and hoped that one day I would be on there. They have been so supportive of me and my music. They are also some of the nicest people I’ve worked with. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Tell me the backstory behind your song “Maybe”?
My good friend, Shane Begley, brought this song to me. He and I sat down and worked it up. Changing some things up and really digging deep, “Maybe” was born. I personally think seeing all of these people in the world trying to figure out the reason their love/relationships ended, when in fact there’s no concrete answer to that, is what inspired it.
Who created the promotion video of your single?
ProMotions, LLC
What is your favorite track on your album?
Well, it’s going to be my EP actually and it’s due out in the Fall. I would have to say “Behind the Scenes.”
What are your feelings about streaming music?
It’s great as far as getting your music out there to a wide audience.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
Maybe… I think a lot of people who read classically/technically will know that it is musically associated.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Well, I’m 19 years old, so I only know digital for the most part. However, I think having something tangible like a vinyl record is awesome too!
What song from the past is in your mind right now?
Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you? God Bless the Broken Road has been on my mind lately. I’ve been trying to find time to go and visit my MawMaw more. She has Alzheimers and I fear that one day she may not know who I am. It’s been hard over the last few years to adapt to it, but she’s overall her normal self. That song means a lot to me because it’s one of the first songs I remember singing to her with my brother as kids.
Since you are from Virginia. Have you looked into performing on the NRP Mountain Stage?
I haven’t, but it would be an honor to play on the NPR Mountain Stage out of West Virginia.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music?
Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future? It has definitely made a huge impact for sure. I think things may be a little different for the future, but I’m hoping to see live music back in full force soon. The world needs something to dance to!
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Working on new material and doing some live shows online.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Well, now that’s been a challenge. I love to cook and bake. So, I can’t say that my eating habits were too healthy during the lockdown. Now that things have started opening back up, I’ve been going to the gym weekly to stay in shape and to feel better in general.
Why did you say, “I wish that I could wake up with amnesia?
I just happened to quote a lyric from a band I was listening to when I wrote that. I love to quote lyrics with my pics on Instagram. That song had popped up on my Pandora one day and it really caught my attention. It’s called “Amnesia” by 5 Seconds of Summer.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Baking!! Absolutely love to bake. I’ve gotten into pies lately, so that’s the newest dessert I’ve taken on.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
It could have a huge impact on Facebook. There is a large number of musicians on Facebook. Musicians are having live shows on there all of the time. It’s a big thing on Facebook Live.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Social media!! There are so many huge platforms now to get our music out there.
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 is still a thing for sure.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Kind of cool actually
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, which provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
I sure hope it does.
In the past, if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice-over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
Teaching music. My music teacher throughout middle and high school, Beth Tinsley, made a very huge impact on my life. I looked up to her in so many ways and wanted to be just like her when I decided to choose a career path. I always say that my parents gave birth to two teachers because my brother is a teacher as well.
What is your happy place?
The stage or a cabin in Tennessee. It’s my temporary escape.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay, and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax-friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
This is a tough one. I’m not sure I could answer this one without a lot of consideration.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still, back at the beginning of the year, Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think that could mean to an independent artist?
Wow! That’s a lot of songs deleted. I would hope that they would maybe consider finding another outlet to release their music to the world as a backup.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Maybe… I use it some but not like I do other platforms. It’s one of those things where it’s a hit or miss. You can post every day for a month on there, but sometimes your videos don’t get seen nearly as much as others.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I would like to thank Unrated Magazine for asking me to do this interview! I am just so thankful for where my music has brought me in life. I have been given so many amazing opportunities and I couldn’t be happier. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for the love and support that I get from not only my family and friends but from all of my followers. I hope to continue this journey for the rest of my life and can’t wait for what lies ahead. This is only the beginning!
