We recently connected with Elaini Arthur and have shared our conversation below.

Elaini , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was a very young age when I knew that I wanted to be a singer. I was only about five, I think, when I was in kindergarten and the teacher told us that our school was having a talent show. I remember going home that same day, giving my family the paper that was sent home with me, and told them I was going to be in the talent show. My grandmother asked me what I was going to do and I said, ” sing. ” From that moment, it just expanded. I remember being at our local walmart one day and seeing a box of CD’s that was on sale for five dollars. I was rooting down through them and came across one that I couldn’t put down. I don’t know why but I was really drawn to it. My grandmother told me it was Patsy Cline. She bought me that CD. When we played it, the first song that I heard was Honky Tonk Merry Go Round. It’s funny because I still remember thinking it was about a merry go round – I was only five at the time. That is when country music became my passion and I just grew from there.

A few months later, I entered a local talent contest, Crazy Fest. I sang Shania Twain’s Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under. My grandmother made me a red sequin jacket and I wore a red cowboy hat and boots. I think that is probably when I caught the performing bug. I think I was about six years old by this time. I wanted to sing more so my family started taking me to nursing homes to sing for the residents. I loved it and I still enjoy performing and meeting everyone.

Elaini , 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?

I really started getting involved with country music when my mom signed me up for a singing contest when I was six years old. It was a Patsy Cline sing – a – song contest that was being held in her hometown of Winchester, Virginia. It was all adults except me. I sang Walkin’ After Midnight. I had the honor of meeting George Hamilton IV, the Ambassador of Country Music and a good friend of Patsy Cline. I did not know who he was back then, I just knew he was very kind to me. Every one there was so nice and welcoming to a child. As I got older and continued on my country music path, I discovered that that is what country music is – kindness, giving a helping hand, and being a family. I am still friends til this day with people that I met at that contest.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of all of this for me is when my music really stirs a memory for someone. Whether it be a song from years ago or a song I wrote. I love when someone comes up to me after a show and shares their story with me . To be able to make a connection like that through music is just an amazing feeling.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think my best answer to this question is that I drive myself. I like to explore new areas of the artistic world and just see what I can come up with to add to my work. Being able to add a little bit of joy through my music or my artwork makes it all worthwhile. There is always something new, somewhere new, and new faces to meet.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elainiarthurmusic.com