Life & Work with Elizabeth Lyons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Lyons.

Hi Elizabeth, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Midwestern-born and raised Elizabeth moved to Nashville at eighteen to intern at a music publishing company where she learned as much as she could about the music industry.

Through the hustle and her can-do attitude, independent artist Elizabeth Elizabeth’s proven track record has made her one of the next women in the country to watch.

Elizabeth’s releasing her first full-length album 9 songs about love. It’s the most personal she’s ever been with her music. Elizabeth covers her journey over the last decade broken into three chapters: finding love, falling in love, and being in love. Every person has felt one way and will relate to one of these songs.

Elizabeth was heavily involved with production working with 3 producers who made her pop country dreams come true. The piano is prominent in every song with a mix of electric and country sounds.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road more like a rollercoaster ride! I decided to take the route of making it happen on my own as an artist wearing all the hats you can wear. I started booking myself at shows and opening for major artists like Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt, playing major Festivals, and singing National Anthems at Yankee Stadium Fenway Park to Lambeau Field.

I’ve taken no for an answer and done my best to try to push down doors that were shut. Networking is a huge part of the industry but also putting your head down and working hard to focus on your art and ultimately the music is the most important. Patience, perseverance, and persistence are the keywords I’ve tried to live by. There have been several struggles along the way such as losing myself (I.e. “Epiphany” and trying to prove it I.e. “Prove It” both of which I’ve recorded songs about). Ultimately I’ve found I’m going to always make music because I love it and I write songs about my life and what I’m feeling or going through and hope it resonates with an audience.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Songwriter, Singer, Producer, Booking Agent, A&R, Publicist, Social Media, Radio Promotion, Art Director, Tour Manager, Admin, Videographer… I specialize in making things happen that people tell me aren’t possible and try to get them done. I hope to be known for making people happy and feel special. In all the songs I write and release there has to be a sense of hope, spreading sunshine. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come and all that I’ve achieved on my own over the years and I think that’s what sets me apart from others.

BOOKING AGENT:
-Booked me on the same lineup/shared the stage/opened for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Sam Hunt, Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Hunter Hayes, Cole Swindell, Chase Rice, Cheaptrick, Randy Houser, Old Dominion, Phil Vassar, Craig Campbell, Eric Paslay, Parmalee, Grainger Smith and more…
-Established relationships and booked: Summerfest (5 years in a row), Country Stampede (3 years in a row), Country Fest (2 years in a row), Lakeshake, Country Jam Colorado & Wisconsin, Country on the River, Taste of Country Music Festival, Country Thunder, Windy City Smokeout, Jam in the Valley (2 years in a row), Buckeye Country Superfest, Mardi Gras (2 years in a row), Iowa State Fair (2 yrs in a row), Joe’s on Weed St (4x), Joe’s Live, The Bluebird Café (2x), Opry City Stage NYC, NashFM Boots on the Boardwalk, Surf Ballroom, The Bitter End, Printers Alley NYC, Brickstreet, Lorettas, Rock the Sox at US Cellular Field, National Anthem at Yankee Stadium, Lambeau Field, Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, Bridgestone Arena, Fenway Park, Miller Park and more).
-Facilitated bookings at corporate functions, philanthropy events, bars, colleges, schools, and country clubs.
-Created sponsorship relationships with Tommy Hilfiger, JMclaughlin, Lilly Pulitzer, Whispering Angel, Stubbs & Wooten, Whiskey Riff, Oil Digger Tees, Hubbell Hille, Paige Denim Jeans, Anita K Jewelry, JeepHer & JeepHim, Jeep Wave.

PUBLICIST:
-Over half a million plays on Spotify
-Sold over 100,000 songs independently
-2 #1 iTunes Country Music Videos & 2 #2 iTunes Country Music Videos
-Recently featured on Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star Top 3, Spotify playlists, Sirius XM The Highway “On The Horizon” also highlighted on their Hot 30 show, NashFM, iTunes Album All-Time Bestseller, iTunes Hot Tracks several times, CMT Discovery Artist, CMA Who New To Watch, Music Row Discovery Artist, Top 10 on Billboard, Top 50 on Mediabase, Top 40 on Music Row Chart, ACM, Country Aircheck, Tunecore, All Access, Digital Journal, Whiskey Riff, Vydia, Power Source, Examiner, Got Country, Music News Nashville, Sheridan Road, Chicago Sun-Times, Country Music International, The Winnetka Current, Glencoe, Wilmette Beacon, Chicagoland Country, Country Fed, Chris Burkmenn Experience, Country Music Life, Globe Gazette, Mirror Reporter, Sheridan Road, Home Country Music, NACA, Vanderbilt, Emotional Mojo, Daily Buzz, WGN News, WSMV, and CMAFest.
-Selected songs for successful debut and sophomore album releases plus multiple singles.
-Established relationships with established and up-and-coming publishers and songwriters who submitted songs to record.
-Organized co-writes and the recording process selecting the studios, producers, and musicians.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
-Established social media presence on Facebook (Verified, 12.5k), Twitter (10.3k + 14.2k), Instagram (25.5k), YouTube (100k), Vevo (400k) SnapChat (23k), iTunes (4.5-star average, 600 comments), Spotify (Verified, 30k followers) with a strong emphasis on visual & video.
-Created content, devised a social media marketing campaign, constructed a calendar, and monitored insights to strategize posts.
-Expanded market from local to over 300 iTunes markets and 50 countries.
-Produced, conceptualized, executed, and starred in the making of two music videos with top directors (Mason Dixon & Jon Chema).
-Completed all the different stages of the production process: the funding of the project, hiring the director, upload to Vevo/iTunes.
-Coordinated and designed all marketing materials, merchandise, and products related to new music releases.
-Developed creative initiatives that assist in breaking acts, building streams, sales, revenues, and fan bases. Devised fan engagement strategies.
-3 #1 & 3 #2 on iTunes Music Video Country charts
-Produced, conceptualized, executed, and starred in the making of two music videos with top directors (Mason Dixon & Jon Chema). -Completed all the different stages of the production process: the funding of the project, hiring the director, upload to Vevo/iTunes. -Coordinated and designed all marketing materials, merchandise, and products related to new music releases. -Developed creative initiatives that assist in breaking acts, building streams, sales, revenues, and fan bases. Devised fan engagement strategies. -3 #1 & 3 #2 on iTunes Music Video Country charts

A&R
-Selected songs for successful debut and sophomore album releases plus multiple singles.
-Established relationships with established and up-and-coming publishers and songwriters who submitted songs to record.
-Organized co-writes and the recording process selecting the studios, producers, and musicians.
-Selected songs for successful debut and sophomore album releases plus multiple singles. -Established relationships with established and up-and-coming publishers and songwriters who submitted songs to record. -Organized co-writes and the recording process selecting the studios, producers, and musicians.

RADIO PROMO
-Played first single “Everything Tonight” on Sirius XM The Highway “On the Horizon” show, and the first week of play was featured on Top 40.
-Oversaw and managed four radio promoters on two single campaigns. Played on over 100 stations and a total of over 1000 plays a week.
-Booked national radio tours, phoners, and in-studio interviews on air. Executed recording of liners for stations.
-Charted #87 on Mediabase, #54 on Music Row for “#PartyRules”, and #96 on Music Row for “Everything Tonight”.
-“I’ve Never” played selected by iHeartMedia as Top 3 Rising Star
-“Champagne” placed on Spotify playlists, Apple Music Features
-“God Moment” placed on Spotify playlists, Apple Music Features
-Managed and designed the layout of marketing materials, e-blasts, advertisements, promotional materials, single/album packaging, and branding campaigns as well as archiving, mailings, and paperwork filing.
-Developed the creative concept of the music videos and booked the location, art props (including cars), extras, hair, makeup, and fashion styling of the shoots.
-Drew up and negotiated contracts and fully advanced shows.
-Day-to-day management including booking transportation/lodging, on-site tour manager, production and merchandise duties, created day sheets, managed budget, road reports, payroll, and coordinated band and crew members.
-Produced, conceptualized, executed, and starred in the making of two music videos with top directors (Mason Dixon & Jon Chema).

When I’m not doing music, I’m working on set as an assistant to these TV/Movie Icons making AMC’s show “Interview with the Vampire…
–Showrunner/Rolin Jones: Friday Night Lights, Weeds, Smash…
–Producer/Mark Johnson: Chronicles of Narnia, The Rookie, Breaking Bad, The Notebook…
–Director/Alan Taylor: Games of Thrones, Terminator, Thor, Mad Men, Sopranos, Law & Order, Lost, Sex and the City, West Wing.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Timing is everything in life. Your path is your path… have faith in it and it is what is supposed to be! Like my song “24” says… the unknown can be scary but there’s a reason for everything happening the way it does.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elizabethlyonsmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ELYONSMUSIC/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethLyonsMusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELYONSMUSIC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/elizabethlyons1 

Image Credits
Elizabeth Dondis Photography and MadxMedia