Nashville recording artist, Payton Howie, fell in love with country music at the young age of five when Carrie Underwood caught a glimpse of her dancing at a concert and brought her up on stage. The gravel in her voice mixed with her old soul creates a bold and personal experience for her listeners.Â
Traditionally influenced by the music of Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, and Miranda Lambert, Payton’s vocals ring reminiscent of Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Gretchen Wilson. Howie is a frequent guest performer for many organizations that support and represent the U.S. military and first responders and is excited to be a part of the USO tour 2023. Her singles “Catch Flights, “F150,” and newly released single ” Troublemaker ” have reached listeners all over the globe and continue to be played on radio stations across the country. Her newest single, “Run Boy Run,” just dropped on February 12th and is available on all streaming platforms. Howie’s first EP will debut in 2021.
“I’m so excited for everyone to hear Run Boy Run because it is the introduction to my new EP coming this year. Each song on the upcoming EP is a different piece of my heart and Run Boy Run is just the beginning.” ~ Payton Howie
Tell us about your new music and the inspiration behind it.Â
“Run Boy Run” is a song calling out the cheaters. It’s about me having my girl’s back. When someone cheats on my friend or on me, I’m not the kind of girl that’s gonna sit around and cry about it. Anyone that it’s gonna cheat isn’t worth it and should just keep running.Â
What was the songwriting and recording process?Â
I wrote this song with Nashville writers Michael Austin and Erik Halbig. There was an amazing team of musicians and producers behind this song and include Mike Johnson (Steel guitar for Reba, Garth Brooks, Hank, George Strait), Steve Mackey (Bass for Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton), Tim Grogan (Drums for Aaron Tippin and Ty Herndon), Billy Nobel (Keys for Tim McGraw), and Erik Halbig (Guitar for Sara Evans, Jake Owen, Wynona, and Tanya Tucker). Everything was produced by David Spielberg, Michael Austin, and Erik Halbig. I feel so honored and humbled to have shared this project with all of these outstanding and talented people.
What do you hope your fans/listeners take away with them when they listen to your music?
I hope to create a bold and personal experience for my listeners. I want them to feel empowered while enjoying my music.Â
When did you first pick up the guitar, and what drew you to that instrument?Â
I began teaching myself to play the guitar when I was fifteen and received my first guitar for my sixteenth birthday. I learned to play keys as a kid, and considering the dynamics of a keyboard are similar to the guitar, I figured I could teach myself, and I absolutely love it.
Who are some of your musical influences?Â
Some of my music influences include Reba, Gretchen Wilson, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, and Ashley McBryde.Â
What’s next?Â
I will be putting out singles from the EP throughout 2021 and releasing the whole EP towards the end of the year.
Connect with Payton Howie:Â
Website – www.paytonhowie.comÂ
Social media – https://www.instagram.com/paytonhowiemusic/