Daily Inspiration: Meet Anna Scott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Scott.

Hi Anna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and first picked up the guitar at 11 years old. Growing up in Cleveland, I had a ton of exposure to music from my family and my community. My dad is a drummer and I’d sneak into the bars to hear him play. Cleveland is the heart of rock and roll so I grew up on classic female rock singers such as Heart and Pat Benetar. I also had a love for classic country and listened to Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Martina McBride with my mom.

This blend of country and rock allowed me to create my sound. I played at restaurants and bars all over Cleveland and joined any singing opportunity I could. I moved to Nashville in 2019 to go to Belmont University. During COVID, I released my first single, Mountain, and I’ve been writing recording, and releasing new music ever since. Now that I’m a graduate, I play 5 to 6 shows a week.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
COVID was a major bump in the road, but it springboarded my career. It was the wake-up call I needed to release my first song and overcome my imposter syndrome. My imposter syndrome came on when I got to Nashville. Nashville and Belmont are loaded with talent, so it took a while to find out where I belonged and what my niche was.

Coming from a smaller town to a pool of hard-working talented individuals is a culture shock, to say the least, but it made me better. I’ve always surrounded myself with more talented individuals so that I can grow, and this is a prime example. Being a female in the country genre has also been discouraging.

Country music in particular is male-dominated and has been for a while. Females are constantly having to work twice as hard to get noticed and be taken seriously. Fortunately, I have many female country icons to look up to that have paved the way for artists like myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a vocalist and songwriter specifically in the country genre, but I blend pop and rock elements into my music. I’m very proud and grateful for the many opportunities I’ve gotten in Nashville over the past few years. I’ve been able to sing background vocals for Russell Dickerson and Carrie Underwood and be paid to do so. Those were very surreal moments for me and my career.

As far as my original music goes, my proudest moment would be playing my first original full band set this past spring. My family drove into town from Cleveland to see the show. I spent months planning and working with my awesome band to get the set in order. Stepping on that stage made me feel like a superstar and I felt like I was in my element. I knew at that moment that I wanted to tour and perform like that for the rest of my life. My education in music sets me apart from other artists. I spent four years in a rigorous vocal program at Belmont University where I trained my voice.

Now, I have incredible stamina and can play four-hour-plus shows at a time without losing my voice. I also have a background in the business of music through my Music Business minor so I can be my manager until I become more successful. Some artists drop out of school to pursue their dreams, but for me, school helped me to improve at a faster pace and have more discipline.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
My biggest piece of advice for others would be to just jump in head first. I spent months worrying about my every move, and my perfectionism kept me from sharing any music at all. I was even scared to post on social media for fear that I’d get a negative comment.

Once I was brave enough to let go, my career took off. Whenever I’d hear a negative comment or a no, my brain would translate that to “watch me do this”. Once you let go of your self-doubt, no one can hold you back from achieving what you want to achieve.

Contact Info:

• Website: annascottmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.scott/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annascottmusicfb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mrsquadduo
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@annascottmusic

Image Credits
Kimber Gebura and Hunter Lewis