 country artist Callie Twisselman knows the definition of hard work.){kind=link}
Rising Nashville (by way of California) country artist Callie Twisselman knows the definition of hard work. Raised on her family’s seventh-generation grain and cattle ranch in California, she learned to work hard creating her strong work ethic and never give up attitude.
Inspired by her mother who performed in a local touring band, Twisselman says, “My mom shined on-stage. It was a happy escape for her. She always told me that if this is what I wanted to do, that I had to enjoy myself and not try to be something I’m not.” After watching a Shania Twain video, she knew that’s what she wanted to do. “I remember sitting cross-legged on the living room floor watching her video for ‘Man, I Feel Like A Woman,’ and realizing not only my love of music but also the artistry behind it. She had a style like nobody else I had seen before and her voice and music were so raw and unique.”
With her love of Shania Twain and other country greats Dolly Parton and George Strait, Twisselman began writing songs and learning to play the guitar by the time she was fifteen. After high school, she made a trip to Nashville to record her first EP. “There is something about Nashville that inspires you. I wrote about as many songs the first month here as I did in one year of living in California. I never felt more certain of anything in my life, this is where I am supposed to be.”
After officially making the move to Nashville in 2017, she became ingrained in the community, and after honing her songwriting and performing skills with Dolly Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell, for a while, she signed her first publishing deal with eOne Music Publishing via Vintern Songs.
Twisselman is currently working with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Aaron Pearce to release her debut single, “Two Hands,” on April 9 via Copperline Music Group. The hard work and determination she learned from working on the family ranch paid off. “I was rejected plenty of times trying to chase my dreams – my songs weren’t good enough, my sound wasn’t the right fit, the list goes on and on. All I can do is hope that audiences connect with me and my music and that I’ve touched someone with the words I have written.”
Pre-save “Two Hands” – https://orcd.co/twohands
Can you tell us a little about “Two Hands” and the story behind the song?
“Two hands” is about a girl who is unapologetically herself. And even though she can be a handful at times, her man loves her just the way she is. It’s just a fun, upbeat, feel-good tune. And so many women and men can relate to it in relationships.
Do you have a favorite part of the song or even a favorite lyric?
One of my favorite lines in the song is the very first! “I can drink any man under the table, you say I should have a warning label.” It just describes me to a T, lol.
How did you first get started in music?
I started singing the national anthem when I was ten. My mom was a local singer in a country band, and that’s really where my love of music started was from watching her.
Was there a particular moment when you knew you wanted to be a country music artist?
Yes, there was a moment that I really thought to myself, wow, I wanna do this! I was watching the music video for Shania Twain’s song “Man!, I Feel Like A Woman!” and I remember being so amazed by the artistry and fashion sense she brought to her music. I grew a love for fashion because I lived in the middle of nowhere on my family’s ranch and never really got to dress up much. So seeing her combine that with her music was a dream to me.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Some of my musical influences are Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert, and Ed Sheeran. I really grew up listening to all kinds of different genres of music, but there was no denying country music was where I belonged.
What do you hope your fans/listeners take away with them when they listen to your music?
What I hope my listeners take away with them when they listen to my music is feelings of good times, connections to the lyrics that might help them through something, and mostly just that they make memories that last a lifetime. I want them to be able to listen to the songs years from now and have it take them back to those sweet memories.
What advice would you give to young women who hope to work in the music industry?
My advice for young women who hope to work in the music industry is to work hard, study their craft, be persistent, and really love what they do. Because sometimes, it takes years to get to where you wanna be, but if you love it, the years will fly by, and it will pay off.