We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Payton Riley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Payton, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I started taking voice lessons when I was seven. At first, it was just something fun to do — I had no idea it would end up being my entire world. By nine, I was writing my own songs, and by twelve, I picked up a guitar and instantly knew… this is it. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

When I was around thirteen, my parents started taking me to open mics all over town. I was so shy and scared of messing up, but every time I stepped on stage, I learned a little more about who I was meant to be. It taught me that it’s okay not to be perfect — it’s about connecting and being real.

Ever since then, my life has been a whirlwind of shows, songwriting, and growing into the artist I want to become. Music isn’t just something I love — it’s in my soul. Just like the breath in my lungs, I need it to live.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a 17-year-old pop-country and rock-influenced singer-songwriter from Montgomery, Texas. I’ve been singing since I was seven and started writing songs at nine, but it wasn’t until I picked up the guitar at twelve that I truly found my voice — not just as a vocalist, but as a storyteller. I’ve always believed that music has the power to heal, to connect, and to give people the confidence to be exactly who they are.

My music blends the grit of country storytelling with the energy of rock and the emotion of pop. Every song I write comes from a real place — heartbreak, growth, or the whirlwind of being young and chasing big dreams. My singles like “Blonde,” “Run Girl Run,” and “Weatherboy” all share that same message of empowerment and resilience. I want my fans — who I call Riley’s Rockstars — to feel seen, understood, and strong when they listen to my songs.

Beyond writing and performing, I’m passionate about using my platform to build community. I host Young Artist Meet & Greets + Open Mics across Texas to give other young musicians a space to connect, perform, and support one another, and I also organize Young Artist Songwriting Retreats each year. These retreats bring together rising artists to learn about songwriting, branding, and navigating the music industry — all while building friendships that last far beyond the music. I also work with organizations like Love Heals Youth, using music to bring joy to foster kids and raise awareness for youth in need.

What sets my brand apart is authenticity — everything I do, from my lyrics to my shows, comes from the same place of heart and honesty. I want my fans to know that I’m walking this journey with them. I’m not afraid to share the ups, the downs, and all the messy moments in between — because that’s what being a real artist is all about.

At the end of the day, I’m most proud of how far I’ve come while staying true to myself. Whether I’m performing on a big stage, hosting an event for young artists, or writing songs late at night in my room, I just want people to know that this isn’t just music — it’s my life, and I’m inviting everyone to be part of it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have about artists — especially independent ones — is that our only job is to show up to a gig and play. Honestly, that’s the easy and fun part. What people don’t see is everything that happens behind the scenes. I’m running a full-time business over here, and I even left in-person school for online school to be able to do it.

As an independent artist, I pay for everything myself, I’m my own manager (with my mom’s help), my own booking agent, publicist, social media manager, merch girl — you name it. Every single day, artists like me are trying to figure out how to get noticed, gain followers, get people to stream our music, or sell a T-shirt just to cover gas to the next gig. It’s a full-time, bang-your-head-against-the-wall kind of business, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

We get paid to perform, but we don’t get paid for the hours of prep that come before or after — the long drives, the setup, the teardown, and the hope that maybe one new person in the crowd will go home and stream our song. The best way anyone can support artists is simple: stream their music, buy their merch, and pay attention. The next time you’re out at a restaurant or venue and someone’s playing live music, take a moment to really listen. A little attention means the world to an artist who’s giving everything they’ve got up there.

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

Being young in this industry has definitely tested my resilience. I’ve had to work twice as hard to prove myself — not just as a singer, but as a songwriter, performer, and professional. There are times when people underestimate me because of my age, or assume that I haven’t “earned my place” yet. But honestly, I’ve learned to use that as fuel.

Every stage I’ve stepped onto, every song I’ve written, and every mile I’ve driven to a gig has taught me something about perseverance. It’s made me stronger. I’ve had to grow up fast, balancing school, travel, rehearsals, writing sessions, and everything that comes with being an independent artist. But I wouldn’t change it, because I truly believe that being pushed to prove myself has built my character.

It’s not always easy — there are moments when things don’t go as planned, when you feel like you’re giving everything and not seeing results right away. But those moments are what separate the dreamers from the doers. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never falling — it’s about standing back up, stronger, every single time.

At the end of the day, I know who I am and what I’m working toward. I may be young, but I’m in this for the long run. Every “no” just makes the eventual “yes” that much sweeter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.paytonrileymusic.com
• Instagram: @paytonrileymusic
• Facebook: Payton Riley Music
• Youtube: Payton Riley Music

Image Credits

Shawnessy Ransom Photography