Country Newcomer, SARAH GAYLE MEECH Discusses Her Just Released Album, “Tennesee Love Song”, Her Many Musical Inspirations and More!

Allow All Access Music to introduce you to Sarah Gayle Meech! She’s a sassy, classic country artist — seriously, she looks like a pinup girl yet sings songs that would make Tammy & Loretta swoon. She is the real deal!

Her second album, Tennessee Love Song is out today so to celebrate that release, here’s an exclusive interview with her:

Can you remember the moment that you decided to be musician? Was your family always supportive of this dream? Did you grow up with country music?

SGM: I can’t say there was ever an exact moment, it’s just always been part of my life. My family is very musical, there are 4 of us kids and we all play instruments and sing. My parents were very supportive of our creativity and provided us with music lessons and many different musical instruments. From the 1st grade and on I was in chorus, piano lessons, guitar lessons, school bands, musical theatre, garage bands, rock bands, country bands.

There was always music playing in our house, whether it was on the record player or one of us kids practicing. We grew up listening to a lot of country music like Hank Williams, Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Johnny Cash, Skeeter Davis, Charlie Rich, Tom T Hall, Johnny Horton, Dolly Parton, some folk stuff like John Denver, Jim Croce, Joan Baez, and lots of 50’s/60’s stuff like The Everly Brothers, Elvis, and Chuck Berry, etc.

Why did you decide to move to LA and then onto Nashville? Where do you feel most at home now?

SGM: I moved to LA to study acting/musical theatre. I soon realized I wasn’t as interested in acting as I was music and started playing in local bands. Country music always resonated strongest with me, so it was ultimately where I landed as a singer and a songwriter. I knew if I was going to grow as an artist I needed to move to Nashville and work hard. I’ve been here 5 years now and feel lucky to be around so many talented people. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, that will always be home. LA is definitely home as well, but right now Nashville is a great home.

Your new album, Tennessee Love Song will be released this spring. What are some of the emotions you are feeling about that?

SGM: I’m pretty damn excited! I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit
nervous about it too, but exhilaration prevails!

I have read that people describe your lyrics as “acceptable honesty”.
What does that mean to you?

SGM: Hmmm, perhaps they mean they can relate to what I’m saying? I hope so!

Can you describe your songwriting process? What things inspire you? Are those things consistently changing?

SGM: My process usually varies…sometimes I’ll have lyrics written
first that I’ll create music to, or vice versa. And other times the words and music come all at once, very spontaneous. I love it when that happens. I also cowrite occasionally, it’s inspiring to see how other artists create songs. I draw inspiration from many things… travel, weather, seasons, family, friends, the ocean, sunsets, dogs, books, strong coffee, stronger whiskey! But most of all love, and the good and bad that goes with it. The weather is bat shit crazy in middle Tennessee, some also refer to it as bipolar. Ha! My surroundings change a lot when I’m on the road, always some place new to see. Change is inspiring.

Are there any new artists, country or not, that are influencing your
music? Is there a song you can’t get out of your head?

SGM: Yes, I am in love with the song “New Life” by Jim James from My Morning Jacket. I can’t stop listening to it. I listen to music all day every day, it’s what keeps me going, that and Stumptown Coffee. I have so many different influences, and I listen to all genres of music. During the time I was writing Tennessee Love Song I was listening to a lot of Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, Neko Case, America, Sam Cooke,
Bruce Springsteen, Faces, Dawes, Tammy Wynette, Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, Mel Tillis, Mahalia Jackson, Johnny Lee, ELO, Merle Haggard, Rosanne Cash…I like a lot of old stuff, but always excited to find a great new artist.

A huge congrats to you for successfully reaching your 30 Day
Kickstarter goal! What was that experience like? Were you surprised at how quickly it all happened?

SGM: Thanks so much! The Kickstarter campaign was a lot of work and effort, but very happy about it. I’m proud of the accomplishment and so thankful for my fans that supported my endeavor. Kickstarter is a great tool for an independent artist such as myself.

Another congrats to you on joining forces with MAC cosmetics! Why do you think this is great fit? What are some of your favorite MAC
products?

SGM: I absolutely love MAC cosmetics. I have worn their products for years and actually used to work for them years ago in LA. I love dramatic and bold makeup, and MAC always has the best colors and products…there style suits my style! I love the Retro Matte lipsticks, myfavorite new one I wear all the time is Relentlessly Red.

I just read that you and your band are going to be featured on the ABC TV show Nashville performing your song “One Good Thing”! That’s exciting! How did that all come together? 

SGM: Yes! The director for Nashville saw me playing at Robert’s
Western World and bought my album One Good Thing. He
liked it so much he featured the song with me and my band
performing it! The episode aired in late February. I had a blast working with the Nashville crew!

Living or dead, is there anyone that you would love to work with and
why?

SGM: There’s a lot of artists and writers I’d love to work with…I could probably fill this whole page…Merle Haggard, Mel Tillis, Loretta Lynn, Dwight Yoakum, Miranda Lambert, Jeff Lynne, Bob McDill, Brandy Clark, Jim Lauderdale, Raul Malo, Willie Nelson…that’s just a few!

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?

SGM: I don’t know if it’s a favorite memory, but definitely quirky! The time me and The Meech Boys were on tour in Austin TX, staying at my friend Dale Watson’s house. He was gone touring in Europe so he let us stay at his house for a few days…long story short, we blew a fuse one night while getting ready to go play a show, and the whole place went pitch black for about an hour. So there’s 4 of us creeping around in the dark with flashlights trying to find the fuse box. Unbeknownst to us, the neighbors thought a home invasion was taking place so they called the cops. Next thing we know, 20 Austin cops are outside the house with guns drawn yelling “get your hands up and come outside!” So there’s like 20 guns pointed at us, cops screaming, we’re all in handcuffs and being interrogated. They finally realized we were house guests and let us go… we played a show right after that, talk about an adrenaline rush. It made for a good story.

What would you like the message of your music to be for listeners?

SGM: I don’t know if there’s a message per se, I suppose most of
my music is based around love and all that entails. I just hope
someone can relate and make a connection to my songs.

Is there anything else that new fans should know about you or your
music?

SGM: They should check my tour dates, and come support a live show! I’m always playing! Support live music!