Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisa Cox.
Hi Elisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Sure! It’s great to be here.
I’m Elisa. I love being married, I love our three kids, I’m a musician/singer/songwriter, and we are business owners x 2.
Growing up in North Carolina, both my parents played acoustic guitar, and my sisters and I would sing and choreograph highly technical routines to songs like “I’ll Fly Away” and “Away in a Manger” for our Christmas Talent Show. Beaded garlands draped around our necks, the prettiest red Christmas tree skirt wrapped around my older sister’s waist (I got the not-as-pretty Christmas tree skirt because #secondborn) We performed for an audience of two – shout out to my grandparents who always flashed us the biggest smiles.. At least that’s how I remember it. Perhaps they were grimacing. I digress.
I was eleven when my mom bartered with a local violin teacher and homeschooled her daughters in exchange for free violin lessons for me and my siblings.That’s where I point back to as my official start in music (though I had taught myself piano from age four.)
I had the intuition and ear it took to know what sounded good but didn’t enjoy practicing. Sheet music in front of me took all the fun out of everything. I much preferred an open field of melodies, and I typically played by ear at any gig I was hired to play. While one of my sisters eventually got her master’s in violin performance, I happily ended up with a minor in music and had an extensive list bands I had toured with and albums I had recorded on before I graduated.
On the outside, it seemed I had a lot of potential. Lots of gigs and traveling, but my inner critic kept me from ever taking risks. I did as I was told, went where I was told, and became who I was told to become. Consequently, I found myself in a really low place in life, as do most musicians at some point in their career. I believed in everyone but myself, and didn’t recognize the sound of my own voice anymore. Journaling and songwriting became the place Elisa started waving the “help me” flag, but it was years before I actually found her.
Long story short, plenty of therapy sessions, a PTSD diagnosis, a move to Nashville, a job loss and business start up later, my family and I found ourselves in the most wonderful place in life and now we own a company called Mama Sing My Song, where we write custom songs for kids reminding them they’re seen, valued, and loved.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not smooth, but I know every part of it was for a reason. I spent many years with depression and anxiety, lots of working through past traumas and figuring out what truly mattered, and what the heck was even real. I’m in a place now where I know what’s real and I know how to fight for it. I’m grateful every day for my life, because now my kids get to have a life, and I get to tell them every single day how much they’re worth and loved.
We’ve been impressed with Mama Sing My Song, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I believe every child needs a song, and I want every parent in the world to order one for their kid. How’s that for a pitch? Ha! But truly, if I could tell you how many times a day we receive messages from parents who are in tears from listening to their child’s song… We are changing lives daily, just through a simple and profound song.
Let me explain briefly how it works. Parents (and grandparents) will order a song on our website, fill out a questionnaire about the child – eye color, favorites food and activities, and hopes, dreams, and prayers for the child – then we craft their words into lyrics and record the song acapella or with instruments. We have have stuffed animals you can buy and we’ll load up the songs and put them inside the animal. Best and most meaningful gift ever.
Also, it’s not just me and my husband. We have an incredible team of some of the best songwriters in the world. All women, all in Nashville.
I am most amazed by the fact that these songs are doing work that we don’t even see… preventing issues with mental health, empowering and equipping the next generation, providing a place for parents to connect with their child.. we also write songs for grieving families if they’ve lost a child.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Like I said, all of the pain and confusion in my life was for a reason. And I see it now. I became stronger, I developed skills that weren’t there before, and now it all makes sense – I’m able to be a voice for children all over the world, I’m being the voice I needed back then. And this is where I’m meant to be – in Nashville, with my family and amazing community, and with Mama Sing My Song.
Pricing:
- $149 for an acapella song
- $249 for a fully produced song
- $49 for a stuffed animal and sound module
Contact Info:
- Website: mamasingmysong.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mamasingmysong
- Facebook: facebook.com/mamasingmysong
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