I talked with Country music superstar Mickey Guyton about her historic career and her upcoming Christmas tour
You made history as the first black woman to receive a Grammy nomination in a Country solo performance category. When you look back on that moment, what comes to mind?
At that time, I was very very pregnant with my now five year old son. You have these moments that you dream of. I said my Grammy speech so many times in front of my teddy bears in my room. It’s so unreal. “Are you sure it’s me? ME? I got that nomination?
Did you fully understand the significance of that moment or did it take some time for it to set in?
It sunk in immediately. I knew no matter if I won or not, that would forever change EVERYTHING.
You’ve helped open doors for other artists. How important is it for you to create space for the next generation?
Thank you for asking that question because it goes back to the question you asked before. I knew it was so essential and important that you continue opening that door for people and looking out for the generation after you because the industry is so hard. Being the first isn’t a flex. It’s a great thing you could say, but it’s not enough to be the first. It’s more important to make sure that impact others.
So we have to talk about the FEUD (“Celebrity Family Feud”)
::laughs::
I was TERRIBLE. WE were terrible. It was such a shit show. I’m thinking “I got it, I’ve been watching this since I was little girl. So they put you in this room and give you all the rules seven minutes before you go on. You don’t get to walk out there and get the feel of the stage. You got NONE of that, Nick. They were asking me these weird questions. “You’d be horrified to see your partner using your toothbrush to clean what?” Obviously if my husband was washing his booty hole with my toothbrush, we would get a divorce. We lost SO badly.
Well, but won money for your charity
Yes! That was the best part really.
Are you actually competitive or did it come out when the cameras started to role?
Because it’s for charity, it’s more fun and games. I really love Kendra Scott, who I played against. I love everything she does and she’s perfect. So of COURSE she was going to win. It was fun competitively.
Who was the most competitive on your team?
My best friend Rena. Who knows how they come up with these questions?! They asked “Name Superman’s best friends.” Who knows that?! She buzzed the buzzer before he could finish the question and she answered Robin. It was a disaster. ::laughs::
So when you have some time to yourself, what is your favorite binge?
I love true crime or “Dateline.” I don’t know why women love those shows, but we do. I love ALL of the Housewives shows. I also love vampires, witches and the whole Twilight series. I just started watching “A Discovery of Witches..”
YES!!!
Wait have you seen it!?!
Yes it’s SO good.
If anyone wants their “Twilight’ fix this is for you.
Absolutely. I’m a huge fan of “Charmed”, “Buffy”, and “Angel” as well.
STOP! I’ll watch them too when I see them on. So you must love “Discovery of Witches” then. You’re my people.
How have you evolved as an artist/person since your debut album?
A lot of life has happened since then. Once you have a child, I don’t think anything tops that. I guarantee you, Beyonce who is the biggest star in the world..I guarantee none of that success comes close to the love of her children. It changes your whole brain; it makes you see people differently and treat them differently because you realize there’s a mother attached to each and every one of us. When you treat someone poorly, you imagine how they’ll see their child hurt or upset. It has even changed the way I write music. I could try and write a devastating break up song but I just don’t feel that anymore. I guess I’m just searching for the meaning of it all now.
Taking a hard left now.
What was it like singing the anthem at the World Series?
It was IN.SANE. People don’t really how hard it is to get to Milwaukee. The whole world was trying to get there. I had to drive from Chicago to Wisconsin because my flight was cancelled. I was fighting for my life by the time I was singing the anthem.
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleporting. Come on. I would never have to drive again. Want to go on vacation? BOOP. And then we’re there.
This marks your first Christmas tour. What is it like bringing your holiday music to the stage for the first time?
I’m SO excited. There is so much going on in this freaking world; I’m tired of it. I think everyone is. Tired of the drama and bickering. I think we’re all feeling the fatigue of the media and we just want love and happiness. This show is a perfect way to feel that. There’s nothing more joyful than that.
I’m a Halloween guy..
I LOVE Halloween!
What did you dress up as?
I was going to dress up as a ninja but it was too sexy. It wasn’t appropriate for trick or treating with five year old’s so I just wore a bones onesie. I grew in a very Christian conservative, so I wasn’t allowed to trick or treat. I’ve only been once. I’m currently living vicariously through my son.
I was Tom Cruise from “Top Gun” for Halloween.
STOP it! You DO look like Tom Cruise; I can see it.
::blushes::
I feel like you do about the holidays; I just started recording Christmas movies. Why not?
Why. Not?! I love them all. “Love Actually” is my favorite Christmas movie. I wanted my Christmas album to feel just like that. That movie makes me cry but happy as well..it just has a great feeling to it.
Like a nice hug.
A nice warm hug in the snow.
What is your favorite song that you don’t sing?
I really love Charlie Brown’s Christmas song.
“Christmas Time is Here.”
Yes! It’s somber but it makes me feel something.
I used to sing that in chorus when I was pint sized. I was in chorus the year after “All I Want For Christmas Is You” came out and there was choreography, finger snapping, hip shaking, you name it.
Stop ittttt ::snaps fingers:: That was ALL for the parents, not for you ::laughs::
What is your favorite song of yours?
I would say “Sugar Cookie” it’s such a bop. But I love “Feels Like Christmas” because it says everything I want for Christmas. I want to drink eggnog, while sitting by a warm fire.
That eggnog better be spiked..
Yes! Especially around your entire family, you’re like “Dear God help me”
What is this contest you’re doing this year for your Christmas tour?
We’re opening up a contest for local artists to come and sing a few songs with me. It’s the spirit of giving back and I love discovering talent. The industry is very tough to get in to. I just wanted to give back. You never know who will be in the audience. You never know will discover you. I want someone to have a chance to be seen. My mom said “find your purpose within your purpose.” I feel like this is my purpose, giving back to someone who hasn’t been discovered.
What word describes this chapter of your life?
Wow. You’re really getting deep on me now. I’m in a healing chapter of my life. This year alone, I have really focused on my mental health and why I feel certain ways. I suffer from imposter syndrome, like I’m sure most of us do. “Am i worth it?” I’m healing so I can be a better wife, mother, and friend.
Are you excited about bringing your show to Annapolis?
I am ABSOLUTELY excited. I live in California so I want to feel cold weather.
Please? Please? I would love to bring out my winter coat.
Mickey Guyton brings her Mickey Guyton & Friends Tour to Rams Head Annapolis on Wednesday, December 9th! Buy tix