CelebrityAccess is revamping one of its features, known as Artist Snapshot. The change is subtle, yet significant: We will continue to focus on emerging artists and provide contact information, but moving forward we will either speak with the artists themselves or their representatives.
We’re kicking it off with Abby Anderson. Anderson has an EP out and has all the earmarks of someone with an amazing future but, at the same time, she has been streamed more than 25 million times, played the Grand Ole Opry five times and has lunch with Reba. She even signed her record deal while onstage at the Ryman Auditorium.
Anderson is about to head out on the road with Rob Thomas and might very well be one of the most outgoing newcomers in the Music City scene. She just launched her new single, “Good Lord,” below, and was a belle of the ball on Stagecoach’s social media.
So is something going on here? Do you feel like there might be a “thing” happening regarding your career?
Well, I appreciate that, Mr. Joe. The only thing I can say to that is, yes, I definitely believe in the 10,000-hour rule. I think I’ve put those in playing piano from such a young age and just continuing to work hard and, honestly, to ask a bunch of questions. I’m on tour with other artists and am trying to learn everything I can from them. I can only hope to keep getting better at my craft. That’s what this is about.
But you’ve been on the Opry stage five times
Five times! What the heck? Can you believe that? I can’t believe that. What’s going on?
I met the Opry family even before I had music out, I think. They’re so supportive of new artists. When I met them, they took me in. I truly feel this way: that I made my debut very early on. Probably earlier than I should have, and it’s all thanks to them, just taking a chance on me and investing in me early on.
So how in the heck does one even get started with that?
My label, Black River, took me over to the Opry early last year. That was the first time for me being backstage at the Opry so, of course, in my mind, you know, this is amazing. A business meeting. I’ll play songs for them but also I was starstruck. “I’m backstage at the Opry! What the heck?” Just seeing all the dressing rooms. But I just played for a couple of people, got them familiar with my face. But, man, I just have the best team. I don’t know how many calls happened or when they happened but all I know since that meeting, September came around and I had my first single out. I literally got a call one day from Mr. Jordan from the Opry asking if I’d like to make my debut.
So, from an artist’s perspective, it’s just a phone call, right? But I can’t imagine how many phone calls happened in between.
And you’ve also done shows at the Ryman. I don’t want to get confused.
Yes, sir. The Opry also does shows at the Ryman. I actually got to sign my record deal on the Ryman stage. And I love Ms. Sally. (i.e., Sally Williams)
You got a standing ovation at the O2. What is missing from the video?
Oh, the song? Man, I like to think I’ve put in 10-out-of-10 energy into every single song I play during a set but I always end the night with a song called “The Naked Truth.” It’s the last song on my EP and, man, I don’t know what it is about that song. There is literally a line that says, “Wham, bam, Instagram / She never should have posted that with my man.” So it’s not like I’m spitting out lyrically genius lines or anything, ok? But for some reason that song just gets the crowd going, gets them on their feet, gets their fists pumpin’ in the air. It’s just a good time.
How did you meet your agent?
This is a fun story. I moved to Nashville when I was 17 and I first met my CAA agent, Kylen Sharpe. And she was throwing me gigs when she shouldn’t have been, OK? I was 17, didn’t have a label, didn’t have a manager. She was just doing me favors, helping me get better at my craft. And then I signed with Black River.
I met Kylen when I was probably 15. It was the first time I made trips to Nashville. I was just a young girl with stars in my eyes, thinking that every song I had was a big ol’ hit. Kylen was a big reason why I moved to Nashville. She just gave me the confidence, that I’d meet the right people, that I’d be OK. Because of her, I started playing gigs in town. The more gigs, the more face recognition. Through that, I met two song pluggers, Liz Morin, and Ronna Reeves, who got me in the door at Black River. And, gosh darn it, they signed me. I always knew everything in life was a team effort but you don’t realize the extent until you literally have people, you know, trying to help make your dream come true.
If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s surrounding myself with individuals who are a whole lot smarter than I am. I’m very thankful for them.
How about your manager?
I was on a manager hunt last year and someone suggested I meet with Will Ward. I knew he was my guy right off the bat. The man is genius. Thinks outside of the box, doesn’t have the word “can’t” in his vocabulary and has an amazing company, Fourward, that is so much more than music. He manages huge actors, produces movies and understands the importance of hiring brilliant minds. My day to day manager, Alicia Jones is exactly that. I feel smarter, wiser and more powerful with them backing me up. It really is my dream team.
You seem like such a kind person that it would be natural for you to do meet and greets.
I love meet and greets.
You just seem like you’d be a natural.
I appreciate that. I’m not going to lie. There are days when your voice is going out, when you’re done playing a gig and you’re sweaty and the thought of taking pictures is tiring. But I always promised myself that I always would because what’s the point of making music if nobody’s going to listen to it? And I want to meet everybody who’s paying money to come see me. I mean, holy cow. People actually pay money to come see me do what I love. That is an absolute honor, and I want them to feel as loved and as important as they make me feel. I think that’s part of the job.
Hey, that’s how Taylor Swift built up a career.
Exactly. Meet a million people, get a million fans.
Contacts & Information
Abby Anderson
https://www.abbyandersonmusic.com
Worldwide Agency
CAA / Creative Artists Agency – Nashville – Map
Address: 401 Commerce Street Penthouse Suite
Nashville, TN, 37219
Phone: 615-383-8787
Fax: 615-383-4937
Responsible Agent: Kylen Sharpe
E-Mail: kylen.sharpe@caa.com
Management:
Fourward, Los Angeles
Will Ward | 424-303-5000
Fourward, Nashville
Alicia Jones | ajones@fourward.com |424-303-5000
Record Label
Black River Entertainment
Brian Rhoades
Artist and Brand Development
brhoades@blackriverent.com
(O) 615.780.3083
Publicity
Abby Anderson Press Page:
https://shorefire.com/roster/abby-anderson
Abby Anderson Media Contacts:
Black River Entertainment:
Dawn Delvo | ddelvo@blackriverent.com | 615.968.4999
Shore Fire Media Contacts:
Rebecca Shapiro | rshapiro@shorefire.com | 718.522.7171
ABBY ANDERSON ON TOUR:
*denotes opening for Rob Thomas’ “Chip Tooth Smile Tour”
04/01 – Nashville, TN – Bobby Bones Presents the Class of 2019
04/10 – Boston, MA – 101.7 The Bull Presents Country Uncorked at City Winery
04/12 – Florence, AZ – Country Thunder Arizona
04/14 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Tortuga Music Festival
04/23 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
04/28 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach 2019
05/01 – Norman, OK – Jake’s New Face Showcase
05/04 – Frisco, TX – Off The Rails Country Music Fest
05/16 – Nashville, TN – Opry Country Classics
05/23 – Charlotte, NC – Romare Bearden Park
05/28 – Red Bank, NJ* – Count Basie Center for the Arts
05/30 – Battle Creek, MI* – Firekeepers Casino Hotel
05/31 – Northfield, OH* – Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park
06/01 – Rochester Hills, MI*– Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
06/03 – Cincinnati, OH* – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
06/04 – Indianapolis, IN* – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
06/06 – Highland Park, IL* – Ravinia Festival
06/07 – Madison, WI* – Breese Stevens Field
06/08 – Prior Lake, MN* – Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
06/10 – Denver, CO* – Levitt Pavilion Denver
06/11 – Salt Lake City, UT* – The Depot
06/13 – Woodinville, WA* – Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
06/14 – Portland, OR* – Theater Of The Clouds
06/16 – Saratoga, CA* – Mountain Winery
06/18 – Los Angeles, CA* – The Greek Theatre
06/20 – San Diego, CA* – Humphreys
06/21 – Las Vegas, NV* – Zappos Theater
06/23 – Phoenix, AZ* – Comerica Theatre
06/25 – Austin, TX* – ACL Live
06/26 – Irving, TX* – LiveNation Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory
06/28 – Sugar Land, TX* – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
06/29 – New Orleans, LA* – Saenger Theatre
06/30 – Tuscaloosa, AL* – Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
07/02 – Boca Raton, FL* – Mizner Park Amphitheater
07/03 – Orlando, FL*– Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
07/05 – St. Petersburg, FL* – Mahaffey Theater
07/06 – Jacksonville, FL* – Daily’s Place
07/08 – Atlanta, GA* – State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
07/09 – Nashville, TN* – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
07/11 – Raleigh, NC* – Red Hat Amphitheater
07/12 – Washington, DC* – The Anthem
07/13 – Philadelphia, PA* – The Met Philadelphia
07/15 – Bethlehem, PA* – Sands Bethlehem
07/17 – Englewood, NJ* – Bergen Performing Arts Center
07/18 – Boston, MA* – Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
07/21 – Canandaigua, NY*– CMAC Performing Arts Center
07/23 – Syracuse, NY* – Lakeview Amphitheater
07/24 – Saratoga Springs, NY* – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
07/25 – Gilford, NH* – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
07/27 – Atlantic City, NJ* – Borgata Event Center
07/29 – New York, NY* – Beacon Theatre
07/30 – New York, NY* – Beacon Theatre
08/02 – Port Chester, NY* – The Capitol Theatre
08/03 – Morristown, NJ* – Mayo Performing Arts Center
08/04 – Uncasville, CT* – Mohegan Sun
