Lila McCann – Interview

Did you spend a lot of time working on the new album, Complete?

Yeah, we were recording songs right up until the last minute. We already had the album mastered and were ready to ship it, but we decided to add another song.

How choosy were you with the songs you picked for the album?

Picking songs comes down to whether I want to do it or not, but my manager, producer, and record label has to like the songs too. I hadn’t made a record in two and a half years and I wanted to make an album that was age appropriate. I didn’t want to do another “Crush” because I’m not really feeling that way anymore. I still wanted to do songs that related to my audience. I do have a younger audience.

Speaking of growing up, do you have a normal life?

Pretty much. I’ve been singing my whole life and I was in school. I’ve been missing school since I was young. From an onlooker it may seem weird, but for me it’s normal. I’ve experienced everything someone else my age has and that is because I’ve stayed in school.

Is everyone used to you being in school and a star?

Yeah, they didn’t care. I come from a big area, but the town I was in was small. I still have the same best friends I had in grade school. They’ve always been supportive.

Is it weird to go from that to being on the road where everyone wants a second of your time?

Yeah, it is. I just played outside my hometown last weekend and my friends were there and it’s weird for them to see people acting that way toward me too. I don’t think it’s something you can get used to.

My parents were country fans so I heard it growing up, and it always seemed like country singers, especially women, had to come off as being really good and wholesome. Is it an unwritten rule of Nashville?

I’ve never really thought about it. There are bad girls in country. I don’t mean bad people, but they are rebels. I think it’s about the person and their image. I think country is known for artists who are caring and respectful.

You are right. Country artists seem closer to fans rather than some pop artists who seem larger than life. It’s like a family.

Definitely. Artists work together and I think it’s easier because there aren’t as many people in the way and you make friends with other artists. It’s really cool.

Do you see what happens in pop with artists who don’t have this family atmosphere, actually more of a ‘we’re better than you’ thing, and are you glad that you have the family feeling with other artists?

Yes. I don’t think Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey hang out. (laughs) There are a lot of country artists who are friends and they do hang out with each other when they aren’t working. It’s a camaraderie you might not find out elsewhere.

How big was country music back home where you grew up?

It has always been popular here. If you drive thirty minutes, outside the city is nothing but country.

What made you go with country and not something else?

My dad had a country band and I sang with them since I was a child. I listened to all music, but country was a part of our family.

Has singing always been natural?

I think everything is a learning process. My voice is totally different than it was four years ago. I never took vocal lessons, but the more you do it, the more you learn.

Has your voice grown stronger?

So much stronger. A lot of it comes with four years ago I wasn’t traveling where now I’m singing every day.

Does the touring wear you down?

I love being on the road and touring. There are times when my voice gets tired, like if you have to sing every day.

Since you are naturally a singer, does it make it easier not to wear yourself out?

Well, I talked to vocal coaches because I didn’t want to go on tour and hurt my voice, but when you are aware of your body you know if you are overdoing it.

Growing up, were you doing cover songs?

I had a bunch of local writers who wrote me original songs, but I did a lot of covers.

Favorite covers?

Hmmm. Trisha Yearwood and Patsy Cline songs.

Do you ever get people coming up to you going, ‘I remember when you were this tall singing’?

Yeah, all the time. The have pictures of me when I was six, and I’m like, ‘Okay you can put those away now.’ (laughs)

You had to know they were going to come back to haunt you.

(we both laugh) Totally.

Do you get nervous going onstage still?

Every once and a while. I am excited to get up there, but I get a little nervous. Even Reba still gets nervous.

Onstage are you only thinking about the song?

At this point I’m more at ease. I’m totally relaxed. It takes a while to get into those shoes when you are shy, but you realize they are there for you, so I try to kick back and have a good time.

All the artists my dad listened to were artists that have been around forever, like a Dolly Parton, and if you get a good fanbase you can stick around forever whereas other music is fickle. Is there anyone you’d like to pattern your career after?

As far as longevity, Reba and Dolly are great. They are great with their fans, they still have great songs, and I’d love to do that.

Do you think that they stick around for so long because they seem approachable and seem human?

I think it’s that and making great music and treating people with respect. It all plays a part in that.

+ charlie craine