We were lucky to catch up with Bailey Purvis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bailey , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My solo show is a country music concert, highlighting the songs I grew up on in South Louisiana. As I began performing my show, I realized that no one else was doing country in this world of Guest Entertainers, and audiences were singing along to every song. I also noticed a huge lack in female performers and groups, noting multiple Four Season and boy band tributes, but no female groups at all. That’s when the idea hit. I was always obsessed with the movie “Coyote Ugly,” and in a flash of inspiration I envisioned three women singing in harmony and dancing like Leann Rimes and Tyra Banks up on the bar in the film! I pitched the idea — Honky Tonk Chicks — and my agent and manager said to go for it. I had no idea the amount of work, time, and money this was going to take, but I also could not have expected how quickly the idea would take on a life of its own and end up as my full-time career.
Obviously there is so much that went into the creation of the actual show as well as the business and producer side of things, but after ten years of waiting by the phone for a casting director to say yes, I made something of my own that I can be proud of.

Bailey , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Post-pandemic, my career shifted to more music focused as I began performing my solo concerts as a Headliner Vocalist on cruise ships. For those who aren’t familiar with the world of cruise ship entertainment, Headliners are independent contractors who have produced their own full productions and are brought on board for a single cruise to provide more variety of entertainment on board. I now live in New Orleans and work full time traveling as an entertainer and producer – with Honky Tonk Chicks, my solo shows on cruise ships, fronting party and wedding bands in New Orleans, as well as the occasional theatre contract as I still audition in New York.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My “mid-pivot” comes in the form of shifting away from a career in musical theatre, which has been difficult for me. I had great success in New York and my years in the industry, but for whatever reason I always felt like an outsider. It didn’t matter how many shows or contracts I booked, I never felt like I was in the “in crowd” or could get into the right rooms. It was always a fight. I have been in this world of music and tribute entertainment for only two years, and I have felt more accepted than I ever felt in the world of Broadway and musical theatre. I think it’s important to have goals and work on them every day, but I’ve also learned that sometimes you have to let go and trust what comes to you. The things that are meant for us should feel easy in a way. Not easy in a lazy way, but in a way that feels exciting, energizing, and fun. It doesn’t have to always feel like a constant uphill battle, no matter how big or small it he goal may be.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Contact Info:
- Website: www.honkytonkchicks.com & www.baileypurvis.com
- Instagram: @bailey_purvis & @honkytonkchicks
- Facebook: Facebook.com/honkytonkchicks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@honkytonkchicks
- Other: TikTok: @honkytonkchicks

