Q&A's

 

When you talk about persevering and having to deal with an unexpected, potentially negative twist in your plans that you somehow find the silver lining in and turn positive, Charly Reynolds is the emerging talent that you need to know.  Currently 2 months into recovery from her vocal surgery, without the ability to perform live, the budding talent shifted her plans and has released two of her strongest and most vulnerable songs to date with “Out Of My Hands” and her current single “One Day At A Time.” We had the incredible opportunity to check in with Charly and talk about the progress she’s making toward coming back, both of her song releases, the experience that led to her recently getting to meet Carrie Underwood, and much much more!

(Interview by: Jeffrey Kurtis

 

1) Unfortunately, we have to address this situation. You’re currently on vocal rest right now. Tell us how that all started and how it’s progressing now.

Long story short, back in the beginning of summer I noticed I was having some vocal issues and would easily lose my voice when singing. At the end of August, I decided to go into Vanderbilt Voice Center and have my vocal cords looked at, and there was hemorrhaging, scar tissue and they were inflamed. I went on immediate vocal rest, no talking or singing almost all of September which helped a ton but didn't take away the scar tissue which kept making me lose my voice. In December, I finally decided to go through with vocal surgery on January 12th to have the scar tissue removed. I am 2 months into recovery and am about to start singing soon! I have been able to talk since a little over a week after surgery and I thank God that he has helped me heal so quickly and so well. I can't wait to get back out there singing!

2) Obviously, for any singer/artist that type of situation really stinks to have to deal with. However, how did going through something like this change your thought process regarding your plans performance wise when you hit the stage again? What can we expect dynamically from you when you come off this hiccup?

Once I am fully healed, I will definitely take vocal warm-ups seriously and NEVER skip them, as well as not pushing myself to sing when I know that I shouldn't be. Singing when sick is a big additive to why I developed the scar tissue to begin with. I will set some boundaries for the first few months getting back into it, but again, I just can't wait to be back on stage.

3) Moving into another current thing happening; and this one is good! Tell us a bit about your brand-new single “One Day At A Time.”

I'm SO excited about this song! I got the idea while sitting in a pew at the Ryman watching Chris Renzma's Ryman debut. It was the week of the CMA’s and I was dreaming big that week. When you're a big dreamer, you know that sometimes you can get in your head with the comparison game. I was also in the middle of all my vocal issues feeling kind of hopeless in where I was at. That night in a pew, I started thinking of the idea how even though I may not be where I want to be yet, I will get there when I am supposed to, one day at a time. I am so proud of this song, and I really feel like it will connect with others since I feel we all go through this feeling at some point in our lives!

4) You co-wrote the song with Lauren McLamb. What did Lauren bring into the writing room the day you wrote this song that really helped move it into the direction that it is today, that may not have otherwise been there had she not been involved?

First off, Lauren is an incredibly talented writer. I already knew that before going into writing with her since I've heard many songs she has written, and we have mutual friends. It was our first write and we were both honestly exhausted that day from CMA week. Lauren provided a space that felt welcoming and trusting. I was able to let some walls down and just be honest and open with my feelings which poured into the lyrics. I don't think the song would've happened or been anything what it is without writing it that day with her!

5) This is absolutely one of your more vulnerably transparent songs so far. Was that something that was by design, or did it just flow out that way when y’all wrote it?

When we were talking, I was just spitting out my feelings and that is what wrote the lyrics. It was kind of a funny thing because usually I can over think so much but this song just came so naturally and felt right.

6) What are your fans going to hear from this song that they may not have heard from you in the past, but also, what familiar signature traits do you feel flow through this song?

I think something different in this song would be the vulnerability and raw lyrics. It's been a really long time since I have released a song like this. Not because I don't love them, but I sometimes feel like my audience would rather have the fun upbeat songs all the time. And also because I love those fun sassy songs too! But this one is so real and personal to me, and I knew it was one I wanted to put out asap. With my surgery we had to move around some releases, and it just fell perfectly into place.

7) “One Day at A Time,” follows another fairly new release, “Out of My Hands.” Though “Out of My Hands” is really about trusting God’s timing in the aftermath of a breakup, did it end up taking on a deeper meaning to you due to the current vocal rest situation?

“Out Of My Hands” is a demo that I had always loved. When my surgery was scheduled, we pushed back some releases a few months and I knew I wanted to keep releasing music during my recovery. Since the title is "Out Of My Hands" I felt it was fitting for the situation I was in even though I was relating it to my life in the moment instead of a breakup. I loved writing that song with Emma Lynn White and Zachary Manno and I am so happy to see all the love it's gotten!

8) Are these two songs part of a bigger project for down the road, or are they stand-alone singles for the time being?

For the time being they’re stan- alone singles, but that doesn't mean there aren't more and a project on the way very soon ;)

9) Switching gears for a question; You recently posted on your socials about getting to meet Carrie Underwood. Tell us about that experience.

This was a crazy experience and one I feel so grateful to have been a part of! I was invited to an event put on by Body Armor which was working out with Carrie and her trainer Eve Overland. The event included lots of photo opportunities, some Body Armor swag and the coolest part, meeting Carrie! There were about 70 people there, so it wasn't long, but we got to say hello and take a photo with her. She was super sweet. After that her and Eve kicked our butts in a 30-minute workout that had us all panting and then came to find out that it was just Carrie's warm up! So wild. I am so happy I could be a part of the event as Carrie is a big part of why I do music. When I was 12, I went to her ‘Blown Away tour’ and I remember thinking "that's what I want to do someday" and here I am in Nashville chasing my dreams.

10) What one piece of advice can you offer to someone who is just starting out and trying to break into the music industry?

Put in the work and stay true to yourself. There is no easy way in the music industry. Have faith that God will lead and guide you in the right directions and keep focused, you will be surprised at what you will accomplish!

 

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