In the days leading to the Texas Music Awards for 2010, Christen Sawyer took time off from her busy schedule to be interviewed. She is one of the recent arrivals to the Texas Music Scene and has recorded “The Sampler” and “Picture Unperfect”.

Her latest release “Crazy” has ignited a storm in Texas and the result was a nomination for the Texas Music Award Best Female Vocalist Award for 2010. The rest is history.

1. How did you start in the music scene?

To be honest, I did it completely backwards! After we went up to Nashville to record a demo CD I was fortunate enough to team up with Gerrie McDowell, a radio promoter in Texas. The most I knew how to do with a guitar was strum a few chords to help out with my songwriting and I wasn’t playing live yet. I’d been singing since I was a little kid and doing competitions with background music, but the live Texas scene is a completely different story.

When “Crazy” started moving up the charts I literally spent six or more hours a day teaching myself guitar so I could play on-air for radio. It was the best thing that could have happened. I’m still learning something new on guitar every day, but it was that initial push that got me playing around the state. Most people do it the other way around: playing live first, then radio promotion…

2. Who were your idols and how were you able to form your own musical style independent of or including your idols as a source of inspiration?

I grew up listening to my dad’s rock and my mom’s country, so my style is very eclectic! I’m a huge Fleetwood Mac fan but I also loved the power-vocals of country artists like Clay Walker and Faith Hill. I remember listening to music with Dad when I was younger and hearing him say, “Listen to that guitar lick!!” It took me a while to figure out what a “lick” was, but now I find myself incorporating them into my songwriting. Having such a wide range of musical influences has helped as I’m establishing my own style, I think. If you throw enough random ingredients in a pot, eventually you’re going to create something that no one else has made before!

3. You recorded two albums «The Sampler» and «Picture Unperfect». How long did it take you to record these two gems?

Recording was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. My producer brought in these amazing studio musicians the first time around and we knocked it out in about five days. Working with professionals like that it just came together layer by layer effortlessly.  The second time around I asked him to hire the exact same musicians—they were so wonderful! We were originally set to record three more songs in three days, but added another song at the last minute… Four songs in three days was QUITE tricky and I had to work overtime, but a twelve-hour day in a studio making music is something I’d never complain about!

4. What is the inspiration that you receive when writing or recording a song?

Every song I write is a personal story, and that makes it easy for me to record or play the song with emotion. Sometimes it is about someone or some event in my own life; other times it’s something I have seen another person go through. I can credit almost the entire album of “Picture Un-Perfect” to an ex-boyfriend or two!

5. Your webpage states «Country With A Heart With A Little Edge» and your music is that. What sets your music apart from what is released in Nashville and other areas of the USA? In other words, what sets your music apart from the mainstream corporate music?

Well thank you for that! Not that there’s anything wrong with mainstream music—I would love to reach that many people with my songs someday. I think my songs are different because I’m a big fan of doing what you believe in, not what other people want you to do. Allowing artists to be creative and think outside the box definitely changes the product up a bit, and I thrive on that.

6. You are currently doing the «One Too Many» Radio Tour in Texas and Oklahoma. How many radio stations have you visited?

Oh god I can’t even count how many stations there have been! I know this past tour put around 20,000 miles on the car though. It was crazy, especially because the majority of the tour happens in the first 3 weeks.

7. Besides Texas and Oklahoma, are there other states in the USA or outside the country that you have performed or would like to perform?

I’d love to perform in Nashville. So cliché for a country singer, but I fell in love with that city when I stepped off the plane & I sure would like to sing there.

8. What was your reaction when you heard that you were nominated for the Texas Music Award as Female Vocalist Of The Year?

I was confused! It was something I honestly didn’t expect at all… My mom talked to Lucky first because I was out of town and she was being all secretive about it when I got home. When I found out what it was all about I was very surprised! I’m so excited and grateful for the nomination, especially being so new in the Texas scene.

9. What are your plans after the TMA’s? Will you be releasing a new album?

My latest album was just “officially” released, so I’m going to hold off on a new album (unless I win the lottery)! After the TMA’s I’ll be focusing on the band. We’ve finally assembled my own band and I can’t wait for us all to get together and play some shows! I’m also planning on writing a lot more. It’s time to finish some new songs 🙂

10. What is the advice that you give to those who are young who want to pursue a career in singing or entertainment?

I’m going to give the advice my parents gave me, even though I didn’t listen to it: FINISH COLLEGE FIRST! A lot of the classes I took helped me with the business aspect of music. Aside from that, there’s a lot to be said for someone who can write their own songs—that’s something I’ve learned along the way. A lot of industry professionals look for that nowadays, so the younger you get started the better. And have fun 🙂

I would like to thank you for accepting my invitation to be interviewed. It was a pleasure and an honor to have this interview. It is hoped that it can be repeated in the future.