Today we’d like to introduce you to Em Downs.
Hi Em, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Em Downs. I am a singer/songwriter from Kentucky. I moved to Nashville in 2018 to attend Middle Tennessee State University. In 2022, I graduated from MTSU with a degree in audio production. Music has always been a passion of mine. Growing up, my Dad always had music playing throughout the house. He would play almost every genre imaginable from varying eras. My whole family has always bonded over music. Music is all I’ve really ever known and the only thing in life that felt certain.
My Dad passed down an acoustic guitar to me as a kid and I never stopped playing since. I remember Santa getting my first little drum kit and as the years went on, my collection of instruments kept growing. I was in the 6th grade when I got my first audio interface and recording microphone. That’s when my passion for recording music began. I knew from then on that I wanted to become a producer and artist.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been easy by all means. When I walked into my first audio class in college, I was one out of two girls in the room. Soon to find out, many women do not choose to go into the audio production field. However, I joined the college radio station (WMTS 88.3) and found my girls in audio. I fell in love with doing radio and thought I wanted to do it after college but then life completely flipped on me. I started line dancing at a local place in town and it reminded me of how much I loved to dance. I participated in dance growing up, such as jazz, hip-hop, and ballet but I never thought it would be a career for me so in high school I chose to stop. I started working for a line dance company and became an instructor.
It started opening more opportunities for me professionally. Thanks to line dancing, my social media following has grown, I’ve created line dances for artists, danced at conventions, and been in multiple music videos. Sometimes though, it feels like I am living a double life. If I’m not working on music or performing shows, I am dancing. It’s a challenge because sometimes feels like I pick and choose between the two. Moving to Nashville, another thing that has been a struggle is simply missing out on life back home. I miss a lot even in a town with friends because as an entertainer, I often put gigs, practice, and recording before other things.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist, I am known for playing bluegrass and folk/country music. I can play banjo and mandolin and I love adding bluegrass elements to my songs. I am most proud of my first single release “Ohio.” The single was released in February. The song is about a place near the Ohio River that I used to go to back in Kentucky.
It is a fictional murder ballad and it is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. I think what sets me apart is my storytelling in songs. I personally like songs that tell a good story, and take me on a journey or an adventure so I like to write in that style.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I was 8 years old, I did a small “concert” on the front porch to raise money for charity.
My favorite song I sang that day was “When You Say Nothing At All” by Keith Whitley. I fell in love with performing for others and philanthropy became an important part of my life because of that day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emdownsmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmdowns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Em-Downs/100090396782372/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@emdowns
Image Credits
Hailey Moro and Emily Cole
