Danielle Peck has a voice that is instantly recognizable and is just as beautiful as the woman herself. Her story is inspirational, as she went from waiting tables to being discovered by Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records. She caught country music’s attention with the songs ‘I Don’t,’ ‘Findin’ A Good Man,’ and ‘Isn’t That Everything.’
With the soon to be release of her new album ‘How Freedom Feels‘ and the new single ‘Kiss Me Like You Miss Me,’ she sat down to do an interview with New England Country Music. Danielle discusses everything from her first big break, to her new partnership with Kisstixx and her recent wedding in Ireland. The below is what transpired:
NECM: So it seems like you found your ‘Good Man’ as the song goes. Congratulations on the recent wedding! How was it getting married in Ireland?
DP: “Thank you so very much! It was as beautiful as a dream come true ~straight out of a Fairytale! We got married at Ballina, Ireland at Belleek Castle surrounded by mossy green forests & beautiful gardens! I felt like a princess!”
NECM: Where did your love for country music develop from?
DP: “I grew up loving all music genres…. And still enjoy all kinds of music today as well. My grandparents inspired me so much & introduced me to country music. It was just a natural part of life growing up! ”
NECM: What’s the story behind ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ being the first song you learned?
DP: “DONT PLAY WITH GUNS, OR SHOOT A MAN IN RENO JUST TO WATCH HIM DIE…. ”
“(Haha, sorry- I read that question so fast that I thought you were asking me what’s the 1st lesson learned from this song… Funny! I had to keep my answer up there just for a laugh!”
“My dad taught me that song when I was 2! No crazy story behind it. He thought it was just funny to see my mom not be as amused as he was when their little girl was singing about shooting a man and going to prison”
NECM: Which song that you’ve written and/or recorded have you been most proud of?
DP: “‘Isn’t That Everything’ because it’s about where I come from, who I am & will always be.”
NECM: You were discovered in a restaurant when Scott Borchetta (from Big Machine Records) asked you to sing for him right then and there. What song did you sing to him that got you signed on the spot?
DP: “‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ by JoDee Mesina”
NECM: If you could create your own Countryfest type concert….what 3 to 4 artists would you pick to play the show with you?
DP: “Are you asking me to choose only 3 or 4 of all of my country music friends to do a show with? Too hard! (laughing), I’d need 20-25 on the list to give you at least -for the Countryfest that I would dream up!”
NECM: Want to take a quick moment to thank your father for his service to this country as a U.S. Marine. How was it growing up in a military family?
DP: “It’s AMAZING to come from such a strong military family background!!
(Every generation!)”
NECM: What’s the craziest encounter you’ve had with a fan?
DP: “(Laughing) Well, I wouldn’t say they were crazy fans, but I’ve had a LOT of them come up and ask me to sign their “pecks” and then went that same night and got my signature tattooed on their chest where I’d signed it.”
NECM: The newest single is “Kiss Me Like You Miss Me”….is there a story behind this song?
DP: “This is one of the songs on my CD that I didn’t write. It was written by Lauren Lucas, Chuck Jones & Derek George so I don’t know the story behind the writing, but the minute I heard the song, I knew I had to cut it!”
NECM: How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t had the pleasure of hearing you before?
DP: “My music has been described many ways! But I guess if I would have to say personally that the songs that I write, co-write or choose for my brand are personal. Everyday life can been seen in the music I put out and things people can relate to. Everyone has had that bad breakup where you’re almost addicted to that person and sooner or later you have to say enough is enough, like I do in the song ‘I Don’t’ Or ‘Bad For Me.’ Everyone has had a struggle in their life where they felt they couldn’t get through like in ‘Impossible Dreams,’ and like my current single says ‘Kiss Me Like You Miss Me,’ everyone has had that need to be kissed with a passion where you are sure they will think of you when they’re not around you! So I’d have to say they all have a life experience in them.”
NECM: How did you get involved with Kisstixx Lipbalm and end up doing and episode of Shark Tank?
DP: “We were researching information on doing a product of our own that would go with the single ‘Kiss Me Like You Miss Me’ and we found Kisstixx. After looking into the product, we met in Nashville and decided it would be a good fit. So when Shark Tank wanted to do a recap on the product, Dallas Robinson from Kisstixx asked me to be a part of it. So the Shark Tank crew flew to Nashville and the rest is history!”
NECM: What can we expect from your upcoming 3rd album titled “How Freedom Feels?”
DP: “How Freedom Feels” has more of an uplifting feel to it. It’s a very inspirational CD with music that touches on never giving up hope, believing in yourself and chasing your dreams!”
NECM: Which venue has been your favorite to perform in and why?
DP: “Each venue leaves me with a special feeling because at each one I get to interact with the fans. But if I was to pick one… it would have to be The Grand Ole Opry because its where the roots of country music began and every time stand on that stage, its like I’m channeling every amazing person who’s stood there before me.”
NECM: You’re very active in efforts to help the homeless, both familes and animals. Can you please tell us why you’re so passionate about this cause and any organizations you specifically support?
DP: “Because giving back feels good. We’ve all had moments in our life where we needed help. Some are just more intense than others. Homelessness can happen to anyone!!! A lost job, an illness, a death. One minute your doing OK and the next minute your life is spinning out of control. Letting people know there’s something out there that can help can be the difference between something better or worse. Most people dont know how to find help, so I do what I can to get the word out to let people know there IS a raft to climb on. As for animals, its even worse. There are people out there who run puppy mills where animals… who only want your love and affection… are kept in dark boxes and turned into baby making machines for the soul benefit of profit to their human caretakers. I want to help any animal get the attention and love they deserve. There’s nothing like an animal to come jumping into your lap at the end of a hard day and love on you when you feel drained. Everyone needs help once and a while and I love being the person to give it if I can.”
NECM: What’s the greatest benefit to being so active on social media and being so interactive with your fans?
DP: “Aside from staying in touch with family, fans & friends… social media is the evolved way of meeting new fans before I do a show! I hear so many people say that social media is a pain. But to me, its a way for me to get to know fans, talk & interact with them so they become almost like family. Artists didn’t have a way to reach out to people even 10 years ago like they do now. It only takes a few minutes out of your day to reply to a question on social media. It still amazes me when fans get excited that I reply back to them! Why wouldn’t I? To me I’m just another girl next door and no different from them! I just happen to have the honor of having a job I love. So If I can, I always try to respond or at least favorite (or like) what someone says so they know I’m on here!! :)”
NECM: If you were making an ultimate mix CD of 10 songs….what songs would you put on it?
DP:
Colbie Caillat- ‘Bubbly’
Brandi Carlile- ‘The Story’
Tammy Wynette- ‘Stand By Your Man’
Johnny Cash- ‘Ring Of Fire’
JoDee Messina- ‘I’m Alright’
Miranda Lambert- ‘The House That Built Me’
Extreme- ‘More Than Words’
Roy Orbison- ‘You Got It’
Travis Tritt- ‘Great Day To Be Alive’
Danielle Peck- ‘Isn’t That Everything’
NECM: Who’s your biggest musical inspiration today?
DP: “Loretta Lynn! Because she’s 83 and still stomping stages all over the US! I get to write with her on occasion and she never ceases to inspire me.”
NECM: What can we expect from you in the future?
DP: “More music! I have songs in me I haven’t even tapped into yet! I wont be going away anytime soon! 50 years from now, I want to be Loretta… still writing, performing and making people smile with music.”
We can’t thank Danielle enough for taking the time to do this interview with us. It was a true pleasure to speak with her as she’s such an amazing singer and person. Hope we get to see her touring here in New England in the very near future. Special thanks goes out to her assistant Andie for helping to put this all together.
You can follow Danielle on Twitter, on Facebook and on her official website.
Follow me on Twitter @msullivan2199.