We were lucky to catch up with Deidre Thornell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Deidre, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
We all know what kind of year 2020 was, so I don’t need to go much into depth on that, but I can tell you, like others in this crazy world, I was feeling a little uninspired to say the least. At the top of December, I crossed paths with an Ohio Native, Liz Dorros. During this instant connection, I found out that she had a prolific creative and writing background. After “story-swapping” about our lives over coffee, it was quickly fated that we were in for some pandemic songwriting.
Liz and I then teamed up with heavily sponsored touring guitarist, Tim Pasley (Sarah Evans, Scott Stevens, Thompson Square) to write the first few songs. One day, while at Liz’s house to write, Tim emails over a guitar lick, and I immediately started singing the first line of that song about an old Ohio flame. In that moment, as if I had written all of it about my first love’s experience from my home state of Texas, there I was was singing lyrics about a girl who returned to Ohio to finally let go of her first love, who experienced the same emotions and thoughts as I once did. It is absolutely wild how this song came about and how we all connected no matter where we were all from because in that moment it was about Ohio, but more about this universal understanding of the path most of us take to get to our forever loves.
I took my new songs to Grammy-nominated producer, Sal Oliveri(Chris Stapleton/P!nk, Carrie Underwood, Lee Brice). Sal loved the song! It’s rare to come across a major influencing producer who is willing to give artist’s music a listen. He listened, and chose to work with me – giving my songs what they deserved. Being in the studio with Sal are moments that I will ways cherish. He is respectable, honest and in tune (literally and figuratively speaking!). Honestly, he is one of the most intelligent people I think I’ve ever known. I’ve said this a million times before, but I am truly blessed to have had him watch over this project.
I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that these incredible people came into my life. I don’t think it’s by happenstance that Liz and I met, at the same time she also crossed paths with Tim Pasley, while also listening to a podcast in which Sal was interviewee, then in turn sparking the idea for me to reach out to Sal to produce the songs, for him to respond and then push forward with it all. It really feels like a dream, looking back.
I feel grateful everyday. There are hard days, sure – but, I have learned that in order to appreciate the good days, that also comes with the hard ones. It has been a wild ride over the past year and half, but I have come out of this with amazing friends, no – family, and a team that has such drive, dedication and respect. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story of this first song of my new journey! This is just a taste of what’s to come.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. My first experience was on stage at 5 years old, in Kindergarten singing, “Swinging On A Star” with 3 other kids. In first grade, I had the option of getting back up on that massive stage to sing any song I wanted. How would I choose? There was Faith Hill, Cher, Whitney Houston, Reba, Patsy Cline. Asking a 6-7 year old what their favorite song is to sing for the talent show must have been hard on my mom. I did talent shows every year from Kindergarten through 8th grade, while always looking for more places to sing. My mom had always been there to help me figure out next steps when I wanted more. I enrolled in singing lessons after school, which tuned into playing shows at Granada Theatre and Hard Rock Cafe at such a young age.
I auditioned for the Texas Opry circuit at age 10, with that being my first full-band experience. If you’re not familiar with the circuit, almost every small town in Texas has a house band that plays a two-hour show with an intermission. It’s family-friendly, filled with all the old country classics – Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Tammy Wynette to some of the ‘new’ artists like Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, George Strait, Clint Black, Carrie Underwood (in addition to newer artists with every passing year). There are about 15 performers that get to sing in the first half, and again with different songs in the second half off the show. Some of the Oprys I’ve played were Garland, Wylie, Magnolia, Arlington (Rodeo City Music Hall) and Grapevine Opry, to name a few.
During the high school summers, I sang and danced in the choreographed corporate shows, Country Is My Rock and Honky Tonk Christmas shows, at Six Flags over Texas! It was the best first job a performer could have!
I’ve had a lot of experience on stage. If there was one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that I love being on stage singing in front of crowds more than anything else. Songwriting has also become a huge passion of mine, and co-writing comes with that. I love the collaboration aspect that Nashville brings to songwriting.
I’ve been singing almost my whole life, songwriting for half of it, but I have goals and dreams like many performers and songwriters. Where I’d like for all of this to lead is CMA Entertainer of the Year, National Anthem at Super Bowl, BMI Songwriter of the Year, a Grammy Award would be a great start – but tings don’t happen over night, and I’m not going anywhere. I’m grateful for my experiences, and going to continue not his path. Music can be healing for the soul – so creating it is a gift, singing is a gift, writing is a gift. I want to do it forever!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspects are when I see friends, family, fans of my music leave comments on social media and say that they love what they hear. I love when someone uses my song as their sound on their own videos. I love when they ask me if I can sing at their wedding, or ask if I can write songs with them or for them. I love that people respect me moving to Nashville from Dallas (where I’ve been my whole life) to chase a dream and continue to make it my reality. I’ve always heard “the key is to not give up” – so, this is me staying consistent and putting in my work so I can look back and think, “I’m so happy I didn’t give up.”
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
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Contact Info:
- Website: www.deidrethornell.
com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/deidre_thornell/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/deidrethornell - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.
com/@deidrethornell - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UCdkYjtpUOi3lRb6iZ7RkVBg
Image Credits
Photos by Kaylen Johnson: @liveinsidethelens