We were lucky to catch up with Kaylee Rice recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kaylee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive family. My parents allowed me to live in my imagination, to travel to fantasy lands in my books, and discover magic in the everyday. Between driving to and from rehearsals to showing up with bags of snacks after piano lessons, they, and my grandparents, were there every step of the way, always making an effort to encourage me to strive for more and to follow the magnetization towards the arts.

Even when we lived hours apart, my dad and stepmom were at every one of my middle and high school shows (which would usually be followed up by a trip to Dairy Queen in the wee hours of the night). I truly believe that even just showing up to the events your kids put their heart and soul into is one of the most impactful things you can do as a parent.

My mom has always been, and will always be, my best friend and harshest critic(other than yours truly). She’s the first one to hear my songs and ideas- I can now tell exactly what she thinks of the song by the way she says “I like it.” I may disagree with her (oftentimes do), but she’s usually right. She knows what I’m capable of and makes sure I’m always pushing myself with new and phrases and sounds.

After 23 years, my parents still have my best interest at art and continually devour the creativity I’ve always had and pursue my grandest dreams. I couldn’t be grateful.

Kaylee, 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?

Of course!! I’m Kaylee Rice, a singer-songwriter currently based out of Nashville, TN. My music is best described as alternative pop, inspired by a variety of artists such as Lana Del Rey, Fleetwood Mac, Mumford and Sons, and Tori Amos. I grew up in the theater at the Ashtabula Arts Center in Ohio, my evenings and weekends spent in a rehearsal hall or a dance studio. Performing was my first love, but another fascination of mine started to perk up at an early age- writing.

I honestly think I came out of the womb with a fantasy novel in one hand and a notebook with a Pilot G2 pen in the other. I don’t remember a time when reading and writing weren’t my life. One of my first memories was reading JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit when I was 7 or so and was truly traumatized by the idea that the dwarves would never make it to the Lonely Mountain (never fear baby Kaylee, they make it). A few years down the road, my seventh grade English teacher introduced me to poetry, which completely changed my life and lead me to writing songs all this time later.

When the real trauma hit over and over again before I turned 18, the only way I could understand it and start on the path towards healing was writing. I truly would of never lived to see 23 if I hadn’t discovered songwriting. I first picked up a guitar after seeing Taylor Swift’s RED tour in Nashville and having the dire need to do what she was doing. I then wrote my first song at 15 years old.

I unfortunately lost myself for a few years and came back around to music in 2019 and haven’t stopped since. Songwriting has been my sanctuary throughout this journey, from my healing to recovery from anorexia. I want others who have fought similar battles to know they aren’t alone, that someone does genuinely have their back, when someone listens to my music. Everyone deserves have someone believe in their trauma, in their ghosts. I hope my music can be part of that journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I first moved to Nashville in January of 2021 to pursue my career as a singer-songwriter. This was my first time ever living alone and fully taking care of myself alongside a kitten I had just rescued a month or so before. Somehow, I balanced a healthcare job, social life, and my career all at the same time. There were multiple nights I’d have to change out of my scrubs into normal clothes in my car just so I’d be able to make a writers round. I had surrounded myself with the life I’d wanted, but disregarded the most important part of life-myself.

I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa within a few months of moving to Nashville. This was something I’d been struggling with for 7 years at that point, but I never acknowledged it. I convinced myself that that’s just how all women live. By that October, I had succumbed so deeply to my eating disorder and had lost so much weight that my mom practically dragged me back home to save my life.

Realizing that I was within just a few pounds from losing everything I worked so hard for changed my life completely. I’ve had some of the worst moments of my life battling my anorexia on a daily basis for the past year, but I’ve also rediscovered myself and am at a point in my recovery I truly never thought was possible.

I’m thrilled to say I’m maintaining a healthy weight and have recently gotten back in the Nashville music scene. There are still many tough moments in the trenches ahead, but there’s finally a light at the end of this lonely, desolate tunnel.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There are so many rewarding aspects of being an artist, aspects I’m discovering at every show or round. The most rewarding aspect is when a stranger approaches me after a show and lets me know I’ve made any sort of an impact on them. This is especially true when someone thanks me for telling their story, for discussing some of society’s most taboo topics.

About a month ago, I played a newer song I had written called “Spectre.” The main hook of the song is “I’d forget you, if I could.” I originally wrote it about abuse I’d experienced in my past that I’m slowly coming to terms with, but, after the performance, a wonderful gentleman came up to me, thanking me for sharing the song. He told me he was bullied at a young age and struggled finding music he could relate those experiences too until he listened to my song.

If my stories can help others be heard and believed, then that’s the biggest reward of all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ricekaylee.wixsite.com/kaylee-rice-music
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayleericemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayleericemusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCOhKVEKtFW1rjYgleubTCEw
• Other: TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@kayleericemusic Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/kayleerice

Image Credits
Golden Moon Media, Backwoods Beauty Photography.