We recently connected with Kayley Bishop and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kayley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When it comes to music, it’s more than a “want” for me, it’s a call on my life. I’ve never known a moment where I didn’t believe I’d be sharing songs for the rest of my life, even dating back to when I was 3 or 4 years old. As I’ve grown older, experience is now showing me the responsibility of this platform and how my songs and message can impact and uplift in ways I couldn’t imagine before. That potential impact is a big inspiration to keep me in pursuit of the stage. I know I’ve got lessons on lessons that I write into my songs. I believe those songs are meant for the breakthrough of those who hear them. I want people leaving my shows empowered to do the next best thing in their lives.

Kayley, 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’m a country music artist in Nashville, Tennessee. I write, record, and perform songs all over the country for a living and it is the best and worst job imaginable. Allow me to unpack that… Having a career in the music industry is like spitting into the ocean and banging your head against the wall 50% percent of the time. You encounter roadblocks, learning curves, confusion, doubt, fear, defeat and the never ending feeling of the nagging to-do list. However, the other 50% of the time, you’re making incredible relationships, watching people cry to your songs, pouring your heart out in writing rooms and on stage, and building a legacy of dream catching. Nothing good comes easy and every hour of doubt has an hour of breakthrough right after it. It’s all exhilarating and spontaneous to say the least.
When it comes to my brand of music, I claim it encompasses the storytelling and vocal warble of Dolly Parton, the soul and delivery of Aretha Franklin, and the “put it on replay” anthem of Bob Seger. Next up for me is a trip to the studio to lay some of my new favorite compositions down on a record. Follow along and support. I’d love you for it!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve had many challenges along the way… low confidence, negative self-talk, bad alignments with people who were abusive, naivety in the industry and more. Subsequently, staying curious and coachable has helped me out of every single one of those pitfalls. Currently, my biggest hurdle has been my fear of failure. I’ve recently discovered that I’ve carried a long term limiting belief that my failure would be at my own hand or that I was bound to mess it up. It dates back to a memory from childhood. I was about 9 years old and I decided to call a radio station one night from my bedroom. It was dream of mine back then to get on air and have the DJ broadcast my phone call with them and even sing a little for them, as well. I waited with the ring and sure enough, the DJ picked up. I asked him to play a song and said I couldn’t remember the title but that I could sing a little to him. He said sure. I sang and he was elated. He then asked me where I was from and instead of telling him my hometown I said, “my bedroom”. I quickly learned that that was not the correct answer as he ushered me off the phone. I was so embarrassed and ashamed for being so close to getting what I wanted but then losing it all because I said the wrong thing. This memory seems so trivial but a little girl with a big voice, this was a huge deal. Looking back, I could never have foreseen how that moment would pave the way for me adopt the limiting belief that “I’m always going to screw it up.” I’m pretty deep in my faith and when I put this before God, He asked me this: “Why are you putting more faith in your ability to fail than my ability to have victory?” Whenever I struggle, I go back to that question and it sets me straight.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

More than knowing about different resources, I wish I would’ve actually capitalized on those I already knew about. I feel like I’m constantly the last one to the party, but because I’m stubborn and not because I don’t know. I watched success story after success story of those getting signed from TikTok and I still have a hard time using the platform. It’s a time issue, not having enough of it to do all the things an independent artist needs to do, but it’s also an attitude thing. I’ve recently shifted gears here and have reallocated my time, recognizing that only half of it gets to be the fun creative stuff. This music path is rapidly changing, shifting trends how we artists can earn money through music, and its all just part of the day to day grind to keep up with it all. I have to remember though, circumstances don’t define altitude, attitude does.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kayleybishop.com
• Instagram: www.instagram/kayleybish
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/kayleybish
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KayleyBishop