The last time we spoke with Rainey, ‘Turn Me On Like the Radio’ was on radio as a single and the video for the song had been recorded and released. Since then, a second single was released, ‘Me and Johnny Cash.’ The single was featured in Billboards “Tomorrows’s Hits” column. Her first EP, titled ‘Turn Down the Lights,’ features seven songs, all co-written with Qualley and produced by John Ramey and Russ Zavitson. The EP is the first project for the new Nashville- based label, Cingle Records, in which Qualley is their debut artist.
Because Qualley had been working on the EP for so long, she was very excited for the album to come out. “I’m looking forward to see what the listener’s responses are and what their favorite songs are.” Choosing a favorite song on the EP is difficult, as each of them came from a different place and she likes each of the songs for different reasons. Qualley does, however, enjoy performing ‘Me and Johnny Cash’ live because of its up-tempo, fun vibe and how the listeners can relate it to the country music icon, Johnny Cash. “John Ramey, Jeffrey East and I wrote ‘Me and Johnny Cash’ early on. John would pick me up to drive me into the office and I would be venting about an ex-boyfriend and when we got to the office we wrote that song.” Qualley was able to sing ‘Me and Johnny Cash’ when she made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage on Friday, August 28th, the very same stage where the real Johnny Cash has performed.
Promoting her new EP has kept Qualley busy, but she has had the opportunity to open for and meet briefly one of her personal music heroes, Willie Nelson. She performed at the Ryman Auditorium on two sold out dates and was lucky enough to have her family in the audience to watch her debut. “It added to the excitement, having everyone there.” Soon after her appearance at the Ryman with Nelson, Qualley opened for country legend, Loretta Lynn, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, at the Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. She also performed at the inaugural Carolina Country Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC, in which she opened for Lady Antebellum and Eric Church. Qualley was also super excited to appear on the Ultimate Fan Stage at this year’s CMA fest. “I remember last year saying to myself I’m going to do that next year.”
As Qualley continues visiting radio stations promoting ‘Me and Johnny Cash,’ hoping to get it on to their song rotation, she will also continue to perform for audiences who are liking her songs and are excited to hear her sing. Rainey has a lot to look forward to in the next year and it appears that others think so as well. Qualley has made some fairly noteworthy lists recently, some of which include; CMT’s “Next Woman of Country” for 2016, RollingStone Country’s “Top 10 New Country Artists To Watch, Billboard Magazine’s “13 Country Artists to Watch” for 2016 and The Tennessean named her one of 5 Country Female Artists to Watch in 2016.
Qualley is really not that worried about being successful. “I just have a good feeling about it and that things are just going to go well.” That is an excellent attitude to have. With that positivity and confidence, Qualley will be reaching her goals and going beyond them, in no time at all.
New England Country Music would like to thank Rainey for allowing us to catch up with her and to hear about how excited she is for her new EP and having the opportunity to perform at many different kinds of venues for all different types of audiences.
You can purchase ‘Turn Down the Lights’ here.
Follow Rainey on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
Artist interview conducted by Lorraine Frigoletto, contributing writer for New England Country Music. You can follow me on Twitter.