Check Out Anna Lynn Ferris’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Lynn Ferris.

Hi Anna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It all started at the Fairborn Block Party in my birthright town of Fairborn, Ohio. I was maybe seven, and I saw this bluegrass band playing on stage. I remember telling my mom, “I want to learn to play and sing. I want to be on stage, too,” and then proceeded to join the watermelon-eating contest. The next week, I got a $300 guitar and signed up for lessons.

My guitar teacher happened to be the leader of that bluegrass band and recruited me after just the second or third lesson. I started out singing some of the slow songs and only pretended to play guitar on stage (I wasn’t the best at homework!). It wasn’t until I learned the song, “Two Dollar Bill” that I found my signature. “The little girl with the big voice” has carried throughout my career as a singer and entertainer.

I started to get more serious about music when my family and I moved to Camden, South Carolina. That fall, I signed up for the “Kershaw County Talent Show” and won. I am still the reigning winner of that competition because after the year I competed, they discontinued the event. I’m not saying my win ended the event, but they never had one again! My mom always tries to tell me to be humble, ha-ha! I played music all through high school. While most girls were getting ready for sports and finals and prom, I was too busy stressing about getting carded at the bar I was playing.

I don’t know if you know this, but bars don’t typically like 13-year-old girls in their place of work. Outside playing for barflies, I became very well known in my community and started playing local fairs, festivals, and events. In my junior year of high school, I made the decision to move to Nashville, and on graduation day I put that plan into action. As soon as I got my diploma, I left for the one and only Music City. Going from small town to big city was definitely a HUGE change. I went from being a big fish in a small pond to swimming with the sharks! I didn’t realize that I had little to no knowledge of how the industry worked or who I was as a performer.

I’m not proud of it, but I’m also not afraid to admit it- I was a “cookie-cutter” starting out. There wasn’t much to me outside of my big voice and red hair. I was sheepish and shy. There was even a time where I hid under the bar because I was so scared of sounding bad and failing. It took about two years and several bands to finally figure out who I am- not only as a performer and entertainer but as a person. I have found inspiration in my favorite artist: Janis Joplin. I now follow in her footsteps with that classic “no-hold-back” attitude and belting voice.

I’m unapologetic and passionate about my craft. I’m learning as much as I can, both vocally and instrumentally. I travel a lot (most of the time out of state) to perform for festivals, casinos, bars, and weddings. It’s important to keep my sets diverse by covering songs of many genres, so that I cater to all crowds, whether that’s country, rock, blues, funk, or even rap. I’m also part of several different projects not only to build my resume but to network with new people. My current side endeavor is being the leading lady in an up-and-coming original opera.

My main quest, though, is writing music. It’s been on the back burner for the past year, but I have decided to start writing again. My last single, “Sleeves” was released back in February with good results, and I think getting out another album would be a step in the right direction and a lot of fun. I’m not sure if I’ll stick with a certain genre or make a hybrid album.

Who knows, I could follow in the footsteps of the Zac Brown Band and go from country to rock to jazz! Regardless of what inspiration and creativity cook up, I can promise you that it will be just as passionate and unapologetic as the artist I have come to be.

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?
I think in comparison to other artists, my road has been pretty smooth. I am lucky enough to say that my parents have always been my biggest supporters, whether that was getting my instruments, paying and taking me to lessons, booking my gigs while I was in high school, and even taking me to those gigs. The only struggle I went through was an identity crisis. Trying to figure out who I was as a performer and entertainer were career-changing for me personally. It’s easier now to say “No” because something doesn’t define me, and I don’t feel the need to “Keep up with the Jones.”

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the frontwoman and lead singer of my own band, Anna Lynn Ferris. I also play rhythm acoustic guitar and am starting to pick up on keys. There are always two things that people mention when I’m talking to a crowd after the show- my belting voice and my stage presence.

Those are the two things I take the most pride in. It is who I am: the little redhead with a “no-hold-back” attitude and a big voice.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I think I can speak for all of us when I say the biggest lesson I have learned from Covid is how to adapt. In 2020, I had a pretty good line-up in terms of gigs. Like most musicians, all those gigs were canceled. In just three days, my long list of shows was cut down. It was tough, but I learned to push through and keep looking forward.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://annalynnferris.wixsite.com/mysite
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.lynn.ferris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaLynnFerris/?ref=bookmarks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs2NKG9UOcO-vpe3HJLIrFA?view_as=subscriber
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/083D33xBRkYygV8Kz3eMyZ?si=cRjI83WUS5y1VXVYWC5XcQ

Image Credits
Evan Fitzgerald, Cindy Maier, Niki Jahn & Dave McMahan, Matt M. Bacnis, and Corinthia Soukup