SFCM Featured Artist Lexi Luca just posted this message on Facebook:
“Hey guys! I tried out for season 6 of #TheVoice tune in on Feb 24 to see how I did!”
Please tune in to show support for your hometown girl! If she gets chairs to turn, are you rooting for Team Adam, Team Shakira, Team Usher, or Team Blake?
Amber Leigh took some time to answer our Getting to Know You questions…check out what she had to say!
photo by Mike Carroll
1. What is the #1 item on your Bucket List? I have a very long bucket list. But I would say as a non-musical venture, I have always wanted to open an animal rescue. I am a huge dog lover and have always donated time to benefit rescue organizations, by playing concerts, giving proceeds of my album sales, and helping to raise money and awareness for all of the no-kill shelters in my area. You may not know this, but when I lived in Nashville, I needed an extra job that was flexible with my music travel and performance schedule. I opened up a dog walking/dog sitting business that also specialized in dog “running” – for over weight dogs! The company did so well, and grew so fast, I took on several employees. I also worked at a local pet store in the grooming department where I washed dogs and advertised my dog walking company. I then got certified and was the head obedience trainer at the store. On top of that, I volunteered at the humane society whenever I could- I rescued 2 dogs from the Nashville shelter and “Zima” is still with me today. Having a big ranch and a way to help homeless dogs make me very happy.
2. What is something that you are passionate about outside of music? I love to eat… My mom is a fantastic cook- fantastic is a understatement- she is phenomenal. I grew up eating some of the best gourmet food and because of that I am a major food snob. My all time favorite food is sushi, but seafood in general is where it is at for me. I love being active out doors, running, (I’ve done 14 half marathons with my best bud and 1 full marathon) surfing, snowboarding is a new love… And I love cars- the faster the better.
3. What artists do you look up to/are inspired by? I really listen to all kinds of music. My husband is originally a jazz drummer, my dad listened to rock while I was growing up, and my mom was the country music fan. I grew up studying classical violin and fiddle playing came second. My love for fiddle music is what got me into performance. Natalie Macmaster is my all-time favorite artist and fiddle player. I love country artists that add really great musicianship to their music- Brad Paisley and his band are at the top of my list for “mainstream” country acts- his fiddle player is killer and his bluegrass chops are fantastic… No, phenomenal!
4. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? It changes all the time, but right now it would be- “Part 2” brad Paisley
5. If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be? Peach Bellinis Oysters Rockefeller Steamers Lobster – at least a 3 pounder! Pretzel jello
6. What is the last music (album or single) that you have purchased? Was it a CD or mp3? MP3! Yours truly
7. What has been your biggest “Wow” moment in your musical career? Realizing that I could song write. I always felt like if I focused on being a better vocalist, musician and entertainer, PLUS being a writer, I would be spread too thin. In Nashville, there were so many contradictions- I had so many people telling me to write, but then always telling me to leave the writing up to “the writers”. Artists were artists and writers were writers. I realized that nobody can write a song with more honesty than you can when writing for yourself. Now I also realized that sometimes I am not writing for me. If myself and co-writers come up with a song that is great, it just may not be for “Amber Leigh”. Many of my songs have gone to other artists and now I am officially writing for Disney artists internationally and The Disney Channel US and international Disney Channel.
8. If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be? Today’s the Day
9. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? Be yourself and be true to what you like to do. Because if you are doing it everyday -you want to love it. I love all the music I put out- and when I perform it 200+ shows a year- I really love it. People always come up to me and say I look like I am having so much fun- it’s because, I AM !
10. What else would you like our readers to know about you? We will be coming out with new singles all year. A new double-disk album is coming out before this summer! I am very excited about the new music. Also, I am putting out a full-length completely instrumental, fiddle album come May.
Check out our interview with Jade Evori Master!
1. What is the #1 item on your Bucket List? To release my own album
2. What is something that you are passionate about outside of music? Theater, Writing, Art, Dancing ( I love to tap) and Animal Rescue
3. What artists do you look up to/are inspired by? Carrie Underwood, Leann Rimes, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth
4. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? That would be impossible to answer, I love music of all kinds!
5. If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be? Baked Ziti but I love all Italian food!
6. What is the last music (album or single) that you have purchased? Was it a CD or mp3? The soundtrack to Disney’s FROZEN on itunes
7. What has been your biggest “Wow” moment in your musical career? When I was 9 years old and won Palm Beach Idol in 2010 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre and sang “Cowboy’s Sweetheart”. That was my biggest wow moment because everything in my music career skyrocketed from there. They started inviting me back every year as a guest artist and other people started inviting me to perform at their events.
8. If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be? “When You Dream” which is currently in production.
9. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? I am so blessed to be surrounded by people who support and encourage me and they always tell me to keep singing and never give up no matter what.
10. What else would you like our readers to know about you? I’m just a typical 12 year old and enjoy spending time with friends and family. I write songs when I’m inspired ( They all turn out to be country songs) and enjoy writing short stories and sketching. I’m involved in a lot of local musical theater productions and I have performed all over South Fl as well as NY, Nashville. Las Vegas and most recently in Fredricton, Canada as a solo artist. On my free time I like to help out at adoption events for the Big Dog Ranch Rescue. I adopted a dog last Sept from the Big Dog Ranch and named her Little Bitty (Bitty for short) after the Alan Jackson song that I use to sing a lot.
Here’s our interview with Lizzie Sider!
1. What is the #1 item on your Bucket List? Someday I’d love to go zip lining in Costa Rica.
2. What is something that you are passionate about outside of music? I love dancing. My favorite styles are lyrical, modern, and contemporary. My dance teacher always quotes, “Dance is a key that can unlock the soul.”
3. What artists do you look up to/are inspired by? Ever since I was very young, I’ve been listening to, along with my parents, artists like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, George Strait, The Monkees, Foreigner… the list goes on and on. Others who inspire me are Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff, Carrie Underwood and Eva Cassidy.
4. If you could listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? One of my favorite albums ever is the soundtrack from Dirty Dancing. Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies, if not my absolute favorite!
5. If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be? My mom and dad make the BEST lamb chops! It’s a team effort; mom marinates and seasons, dad grills. With those, we have noodles and a green vegetable. That would definitely be my final meal!
6. What is the last music (album or single) that you have purchased? Was it a CD or mp3? The last single I purchased was an mp3 from iTunes, and it was “Let it Go” by Demi Lovato. I think Demi kills it on vocals, and Frozen has become one of my favorite movies!
7. What has been your biggest “Wow” moment in your musical career? In March of 2013, I filmed my first ever real music video for my song, “I Love You That Much.” We shot it at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. I remember everything about that day: getting hair and makeup done on set, meeting and visiting with the other actors and the crew in between shooting, the cameras, funny moments, shooting locations, the onlookers, and mostly how surreal it all felt.
8. If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be? I have a song called “Souvenirs,” which I co-wrote with country artist Jamie O’Neal. It is a beautiful piano ballad that gives me chills every time I play and sing it, and I’m always told that it has that same effect on other people. It’s a song about remembering a summer love and it totally encompasses me as an artist.
9. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? My parents have been telling me since I was very little to never stop believing in myself and to follow my dreams. They tell me that they’re proud of me for just being me, and to never lose sight of who I am as a person. They’re my best friends!
10. What else would you like our readers to know about you? Some things I like to do in my spare time: Spend time with my parents, play with my dogs, dance, play tennis, knit (my grandma taught me years ago), read, play piano and guitar, practice the fiddle (I’m learning!), go on Pinterest, “sock surf” in my hallway, write songs, listen to music (including vinyl albums), cook, bike ride, and hang out with my friends!
