Conversations with Page Mackenzie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Page Mackenzie.

Hi Page, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My mom says she all started when I was very young. She said she heard me singing in the bathtub, and I was making up my own words to the song that goes, “I got the whole world in my hands.” Then it was The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, and every Disney song you could think of. My parents always knew I would sing because they said my screams when I was throwing a tantrum were piercing. I got a little older, and my mom would take me to a bar called, Sugarbush for karaoke (I was not supposed to be in bars), but the staff said I had pipes that needed to be heard. I couldn’t read at the time, so my mom would make flashcards with pictures, so I knew what was coming up. Jewel was always my go-to karaoke song, but when my brother was there, he’d brave the stage and sing “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

I knew I would choose this career from a very young age. I was heavily involved with the drama department in High School and started a duo with my best friend, Bianca. We went on to audition for XFactor, where we made it to Hollywood. We were sent home after a pretty brutal experience. It was devastating because we felt like we weren’t good enough. Jump forward a few years, and I started playing at bars for the first time, and that was when I realized I could do this for a living. I knew I had to get to Nashville to play more music and write my songs. My mom sent me off to college (which I am grateful for), but I counted down the days till I graduated and spent the following summer saving to move to TN. 2016 was the year I packed up my stuff and made the journey to Music City. That’s when things sunk in, knowing this was my calling. I’ve been traveling to play shows, writing and recording music, meeting the most amazing people in the industry, and soaking up every moment of this journey.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
I envy them if anyone has said this career choice has been a smooth road. One of the biggest obstacles I faced moving here was getting caught up in the wrong side of it. They say, “go out, network, go to the parties, go to the bars and talk to everyone,” but that can be hard. I took the wrong path and hit the darkest time of my life. It took a while to figure out that balance between creating verse the business side. I won’t go into detail, but after a rude awakening, I realized I had to get it together. I am lucky to have found a group of people that are supportive and talented and just wish the best for one another. You can get so wrapped up in trying to prove yourself in this industry that you forget why you moved to this town. If I can give any advice, it’s to surround yourself with those who bring you joy and want you to succeed. There’s room for everyone; we have to remember that.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
You ever hear them say, “Bring back sad country?” I want to say that’s what I am doing. I’ve always been extremely open with family, friends, and fans. That’s what comes through with my music. I write about personal situations in hopes that anyone going through them can remember they are not alone. My dad recently called me and said, “I love your songs. They are beautiful but maybe write some more happy music.” I laughed. Songwriting is a craft that I try to master and work on all the time. It’s an amazing outlet for musicians to connect with everyone. I’m proud of the vulnerability in my songs. In this day and age, with social media, I want to be open and honest. Write from the heart.

What matters most to you?
Career-wise – staying true to who I am. But I want to remind people that, as humans, we are constantly changing. My music will change, my writing will evolve, and my life will hit different milestones. It’s important to me that my music will follow along with this. Open and honest songs when it comes to life, the most important things to me are the people that I call family (blood or not). The ones supporting me help me grow and improve my life. Without them, I would be nothing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pagemackenziemusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pagemackenziemusic/

Image Credits
Lauren Cannon Photography Distraction Photography