I have been given the opportunity  to interview the contestants of Next Nash Star in my local area. I have contacted them and look forward to sharing their interviews as I begin to collect them! Today’s interview is with former The Voice contestant Audra McLaughlin. Please enjoy!!

1.How long have you been singing?

I started singing at the age of 7 years old. I started taking vocal lessons at age 9 and began performing at recitals and joining local competitions in the Philadelphia area.

2. Are you originally from here (Central PA)?

I am from South Eastern Pennsylvania.

3. If you could describe your music in 2 words besides “country”, what would it be?

It’s so hard to describe my music in just 2 words, I am a country vocalist of course but I would say my music has a lot of power, Inspiration, emotional, fun, and energetic lyrics.

4. What is your favorite song you’ve written?

I am so proud of all of the songs I have written thus far but I think one of my favorite songs I have written would have to be “Tennessee Cowboy” because it’s such a blast to perform and has so much energy and that’s the type of person I am. I love to perform& put on a show….   I love when I see the crowd really enjoying themselves because that’s my goal at the end of the day is to make sure my fans are having a great time.

5. What artist(s) inspire you to do music?  

I would say my biggest inspirations growing up would have to be really STRONG POWERFUL VOCALISTS including Martina McBride, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Whitney Houston, and Christina Aguilera – These are just some of the artists that have inspired me to follow my dreams.

6. What local venue(s) could you be found at preforming?

I am currently on tour performing at NASCAR Events. I sing the national Anthem on a regular basis for the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, and NASCAR. I have performed at the Yachstock music festival, Lady Bug, and many more local events. I have an events page on my website audramclaughlin.com where my fans can see where I will be playing next.

7. What is something you want new listeners to know about you?

I want them to know that I am just like everyone else. I have been through my ups and downs. I struggled with my academics my entire life and I’ve been depressed and struggled with anxiety. I knew I had to start believing in myself and that’s when I started accomplishing my goals. I began writing songs, learning how to play guitar and playing shows every chance I could. I had to keep reminding myself that I can and I will accomplish what I want in life if I just keep working hard. I tried out for many auditions and I was told no many times in this business but I didn’t give up.  My point of all this is that I am HUMAN, I’ve made mistakes and fallen flat on my face but I knew that music was what I loved so I had to keep trying and I had to keep fighting. I just want to be an inspiration to others and help them get through their struggles with my music.

8. How would winning Next Nash Star change your life?

I was on The Voice in 2014 and I made it to the top 6 on The Show but after the show it’s your job to create your own platform. I feel that winning Next Nash Star would give me so many more amazing opportunities and continue to open more doors for me. It’s very hard as a female country artist to get the attention/recognition we need to further our careers and become national stars even after being on a national TV show like The Voice…many people assume we get record deals and that our careers our set after being on a TV show but that’s far from the truth… You still have to work hard every single day and continue knocking down doors and making as many connections as possible… Nothing is handed to you in the music business and no one is going to chase after you. It’s your job as the artist to make things happen but I feel that winning Next Nash Star would give me the opportunity to open more doors.

9. Is music your only career at the moment or do you have another job?

Music is my only career at the moment.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?…. How about 10 years?

It’s hard to say where my life will be in 5- 10 years.. I know for a fact that I will never stop Singing or performing for people because it’s what I truly love …but my goal in the next 5-10 years is to be touring, recording music and becoming an international country Star and most importantly just making people happy…

11. If you release an album right now what would you title it?

I recently just released an EP….. I am still in the writing process for my next project so I haven’t thought about how I want the theme/title to be for my next release but I will be sure to drop hints on my social media accounts when the time comes… I think it depends on where I am at in my life a that current moment. I only perform songs that I relate to on a personal level or about things that I have been through in my life.

12. Do you have any preshow rituals? If so what….

I get extremely nervous before shows so I normally try to close my eyes and just take a deep breath and go out there and do what I know how to do best. I sometimes do some stretching before performances to get myself loosened up before a big performance.

13. What is the funniest/memorable moment that happened to you on stage?

Hmm I am very clumsy especially when it comes to being on stage at times when there is tons of wires and chords everywhere. I tend to trip or lose my balance at times so I have decided to no longer wear heels that are uncomfortable when I have to perform because I like to run around on stage and be very interactive with the crowd. I have learned to laugh at myself on stage after I trip in front of everyone, I use to get nervous about making a fool out of myself on stage but I have accepted that anything can happen and you just have to laugh/ and be yourself. I think me and Luke Bryan have that in common 🙂 He has made me feel like I am not the only one who is clumsy on stage  haha lol…

14.  If you were stuck in an airport with a 3 hr. layover what 1 artist would you want to talk to?

I absolutely hate being stuck at the airport it is the worst thing ever when you just want to be home after a long trip… I think if I was stuck I would love to just hang out with Blake Shelton he’s hilarious and I would need to have a good laugh if I was stuck for 3 hours.

15. So a few years ago I traveled to Scotland and I noticed that they pour in their milk then their cereal which I thought was strange so now I have to ask.. Cereal then milk or milk then cereal?

I always put the cereal in first then the milk…but sometimes my cheerios overflow onto the counter top haha.

 

Thank you so much for reading and make sure you follow me for more content!

Audra’s Social Media:

Instagram- audramclaughlinmusic

Twitter- audralynn21