We recently connected with Sammi Accola and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sammi 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?

It was senior year of high school. Mid-january. 30a Songwriters Festival.

I was sitting just 3 rows back from the endearing voice of Allen Shamblin, writer of “The House That Built Me” performed by Miranda Lambert. My jaw dropped when I realized, “oh that is the writer!!!! The face and story behind the song.” My mind was blown.

I love artistry and the creativity in planning a show, creating and dreaming up an album from the cover photography to the recording process (working with friends is also a huge bonus!) and live setlist — but I never knew growing up the power of the songwriter until this moment.

After meeting Shamblin’s kind and smiling self, I realized – this is what I want to do. Forever. Write songs.

I auditioned and was accepted into Belmont University’s songwriting program soon after. And the rest has been a gift!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi all!

I’m Sammi Accola, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter local to Seaside, Florida, based in Nashville.

I specialize in writing and performing Folk-Rock, Americana music inspired by the likes of Brandi Carlile, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin and Lauren Daigle.

After studying songwriting and journalism at Belmont University (graduating May ’23), I hope to create music that inspires change, exudes honesty, uplifts women, wrestles with life’s deepest questions & befriends each listener.

I played the 2022 & 2023 30a Songwriters Festival in Florida. She sang on the same bill as some of her songwriting heroes: Rickie Lee Jones, Patty Griffin, Dawes, Emmylou Harris, Mavis Staples, Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls) and many more. Third times the charm this year – a true dream!

Leading an all-female band, I played in the 2022 Moon Crush Festival April 21-24, opening for Brandi Carlile, Lake Street Dive, Tedeschi Trucks, Caamp and My Morning Jacket. In a collaboration with Sony music publishing and Belmont University, I was invited to play in the 2022 ASCAP Writers Showcase.

Last year I was chosen to be a 2022 Nissan & Bose influencer for the Belmont Artist Spotlight program and formed a 10-piece all-female band, making it to Belmont’s all-genre “Best of the Best” showcase last April.

As I’ve been navigating post-grad, I’ve been playing local festivals and shows to Nashville, prepping for a new 2024 record and working at Thistle Farms, a nonprofit in Nashville that serves women survivors of human trafficking, abuse and addiction.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to combine passions and learn from all the men and women who have gone before me. Life and music are such a gift.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Currently, my work serving with the women of Thistle Farms is a major inspiration for my music and the language I’m learning through their stories living on the streets, the redemption of their families, the loneliness of recovery, the vital gift of sisterhood and their fight for justice have changed me completely.

Faith is also a beautiful and important part of my story. Without God, I have no clue where I’d be and I am grateful for the reminder that none of us are here by accident.

We still have a song to sing and a story to share.

I hope to one day combine my passion for songwriting and freedom for survivors to create more opportunities for women to share their stories and emotions through a song. If you are reading this and passionate about these same things – please reach out! I’d love to connect

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

First off, everyone is creative in perceiving and walking through the world. But pursuing a career in the arts is a very intimidating, vulnerable, and incredibly brave path. Speaking as a songwriter, sharing your most intimate moments in life with a crowd of strangers, peers, or family is a form of storytelling that has the power and influence to shape culture and even a generation. While there is such a high from crowd celebration or cheers, there is a major struggle with identity and “do I have anything different to say?”/”does my work matter?” type questions.

I could go on and on about hiring live musicians, buying merch, downloading songs instead of streaming for free, joining artist patreons… but mostly I want you to remember to invest in the artists whose songs have changed and impacted your life. More than being just a fan, befriend their craft and share the love with them (write letters, DM their socials, buy a merch item for Christmas). It is a tough industry and we need all the encouragement we can get!

Contact Info:

• Website: sammiaccola.com
• Instagram: @sammiaccola
• Facebook: @Sammi Accola
• Linkedin: @Sammi Accola
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogKP130sFF9rm07NxsWMHA
• Other: Tik Tok: @sammiaccola

Image Credits
Star photo, Ocean photo: Fantasia Lyons Piano photo, sitting singing photo, sitting with hat on, group/stained glass in background: Miranda Musgrave Singing with hat on: Stephanie Siau Wide angle photo with disco ball and band: Ainsley Barousse