Country Newcomer, RISA BINDER Talks Joining Buddy Lee Attractions, Her Breakout Single “Pretty” And More!

Posted On 09 Aug 2016

Tag: All Access, All Access Music Group, Artist Interview, Risa Binder

Earlier this summer, Buddy Lee Attractions announced the signing of the new Warehouse Records country artist Risa Binder for representation.

Binder, who has opened for legends James Taylor and Ronnie Milsap early in her career, is gearing up to hit the road in conjunction with her current single, “Pretty,” available on iTunes. The song made its radio debut on Sirius/XM’s “The Highway,” and can be heard here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_C8hlnsE-Q.

Binder recorded “Pretty” with producer Luke Wooten (Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler), and is currently in the studio, finishing up her forthcoming full length CD.

Says Vice President of Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc., Mike Meade, “We are beyond thrilled to welcome Risa Binder into our BLA Family. Risa has exemplified the core beliefs and talent from which our company was built upon and we are eager to see what her future holds.”

Binder arrived on the country music scene with her debut Warehouse Records EP, NASHVILLE, which was also produced by Wooten, featuring a collection of songwriters including Chuck Jones (Patti LaBelle, Reba McEntire), Matraca Berg (Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine”), Phil Barton, and more. Her song, “Gotta Have You,” debuted at #26 on iTunes’ Country Releases chart, and quickly entered into heavy rotation on Sirius/XM’s “The Highway,” and can be viewed here – https://youtu.be/LmGgaMr5668. Additionally, Binder’s song, “Just Like That,” was nominated for an Emmy for “Best Song in a Daytime Drama,” after its prominent feature on General Hospital.

Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc. is Nashville’s oldest and largest privately owned talent agency, serving the needs of country music’s live entertainment industry worldwide. Originally founded in 1964 as Aud-Lee Attractions, the agency was fully acquired by Buddy Lee in 1964. Throughout the past 50 years, the agency has developed and represented the biggest names in country music, including George Strait, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks, Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean.

Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc. has garnered numerous awards, including being three-time recipients of the Country Music Association’s “Talent Agency of the Year Award,” as well as three-time winners of Performance’s “Country Music Agency of the Year Award,” two time winners of Pollstar’s “Tour of the Year Award,” and numerous “Agents of the Year” awards for its staff.

Risa Binder joins Buddy Lee’s roster of new artists, which also includes Kree Harrison and Sonia Leigh.

For more information on Risa Binder, please check out:

https://www.facebook.com/RisaBinder

https://mobile.twitter.com/risastuff

Learn more Risa in the following All Access interview:

How’s 2016 been treating you? What were some of the highlights of 2015 for you and your music?

2016 has been great! I’ve been working on new music and been on the road opening for Country legend Ronnie Milsap and loving every second of it!

In 2015, I loved hearing my music on Sirius XM The Highway and getting to make new friends and fans all over the U.S.!

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory was standing at a window in my house and making up a song about “how I wish a girl would move next door” (so I had someone to play outside with), and literally the next day, after singing that song, five girls moved in next door. That’s when I discovered that music was magic.

I always wanted to be a performer. No matter where I am in the world…when I step onto a stage, I’m home.

It was recently announced that you signed with Buddy Lee Attractions. Why do you think you are the right fit for this agency?

I am over the moon excited that I’m signed with Buddy Lee Attractions!! They are a legendary booking agency and have built the careers of some of my musical heroes — Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks, etc., and now they represent some of my favorite artists in Nashville — Kree Harrison, Sonia Leigh — I’m super excited to work together! I absolutely love bringing my music to venues across the country. Making new friends and fans makes my heart happy.

Where do you get the inspiration for your music? Is that constantly changing? Specifically, how did your current single, “Pretty” come to be? What was it like working with producer, Luke Wooten on it?

Inspiration is everywhere. I get inspired when I drink my morning coffee. I get inspired when I travel…when I’m in New York and am on the subway and hear different languages…when I’m in Nashville and sit in a co-write and listen to my friends talk about what’s going on in their lives…

Working with Luke Wooten and hearing my songs come to life has been an incredible experience.”Pretty”” is actually a song that I did not write. It was written by Tami Hutton + Lynn Hutton + Caroline Pennell, but once Luke played it for me, I got emotional. I asked if I could sing it because I knew it was a message that needed to be heard. I remember being in middle school, and even in high school, feeling awkward. “Pretty” is all about knowing that you are absolutely beautiful just as you are in this moment. No matter how you feel….you are pretty.

Who are some of your favorite artists? What artists have continued to inspire you and your music?

I have so many favorites! Reba, Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Beyonce, Little Big Town, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Brett Eldridge, Thomas Rhett — I’m inspired right now by Mickey Guyton + Cam

What was it like having you song, “Just Like That” featured on “General Hospital”?

It was hard to describe how excited I was to hear my song actually be written into the script and performed in its entirety on “General Hospital.” Normally, when you get a song placement, it’s for about 30 seconds as background music in a bar scene, or something like that, which is still super exciting…but this was nuts!

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs?

My hope is that my songs bring joy and happiness into peoples’ lives; that they leave my live show feeling inspired. I hope listeners can relate to my lyrics and personalize it to their own experiences.

I’m a big believer in taking action on following your dreams as well. Creating vision boards…making small goals and crossing them off as you achieve them…I love hearing from my fans about their dreams and how they are accomplishing them.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourselves or your music?

Yes! I love sharing my music experiences and adventures (and food posts) online, so come hang with me @risastuff on instagram and twitter! Looking forward to seeing you in person at one of my upcoming shows!

About the Author

Leah Brungardt joined All Access Music Group in August 2011 and has been enjoying getting to know a new side of the music industry ever since. Having worked to promote radio stations in the past, seeing what makes a successful radio hit has been a thrill. As a lover of all genres of music, working at All Access Music Group is a perfect fit for Leah, and she loves learning about up and coming musicians as well. Most of her friends have come to rely on her for new music.

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