Hailey Steele is February’s featured artist for Taste of Country’s #LetTheGirlsPlay—an initiative that highlights a rising female star in country music every month.
In a Taste of Country in-depth article, Steele talks candidly about the highs and lows of her career, including her 2011 appearance on The Voice and co-writing hits, such as RaeLynn’s “Boyfriend.”
Steele also indulges in cherished memories from her past that have influenced her music, including the ones that hurt. For instance, Steele recalls getting dropped from a publishing deal, and the advice she got from friend and country music artist Marcus Hummon.
“When I first found out I was losing my first publishing deal, (Hummon) was the first person that I called and he was like, ‘Well, I’m actually getting dropped too … it happens to everybody.’
“He took me to breakfast and told me that everything was gonna be alright,” she recalls.
Steele continues to chase her music dreams, and as a member of Song Suffragettes, is part of a community working as one to help women find success in the music industry. Fans can see her on many Monday nights at the Listening Room in Nashville.
Below, watch Steele perform “Where I Thought I’d Be,” a song from a new project she’s creating, expected to be released in late 2016, and one that perfectly captures the journey Steele describes in her interview.
Strumming a gorgeous White Falcon Rancher, she sings:
“I’m just not where I’d thought I’d be. Maybe all those visions were pipe dream wishes, and reaching for the stars was a little ambitious. Yeah that sun’s behind those clouds. Give it a little more time, the sky’s gonna smile and a light will come shinin’ on down. I’ve got faith that it will all work out. I’m just not where I thought I’d be right now.”
Watch her performance below …