A Conversation with Mary Sarah – HuffPost 7.25.14

Mike Ragogna:  Mary Sarah, your debut album Bridges on Cleopatra Records approaches country classics with their original hit artist singing with you. Where did the idea for an album like this come from?

Mary Sarah: When I finished touring with Kidz Bop, I returned to Texas to find that the only place I could sing often was the local and regional opry’s around Houston. I fell in love with traditional country music and fans were asking for a cd every time I played an Opry. So we originally set out to do an EP of the songs I sang quite often in the opry’s but when we turned our attention towards Nashville I had people encourage me to think a little bit bigger. I was introduced to Kent Wells–Dolly’s producer and band leader–who in turn introduced me to Dolly Parton. Truly, we started with a small idea that turned in to this finished project which is why I say it was “miracle after miracle”.

MR: Did you ever expect this level of country icons to appear on the album?

MS: I don’t think I ever “expected” anyone to agree to sing with an unknown, unsigned artist but I am so grateful that they did. I just kept going in to the studio and showing them what I could do vocally and then we would wait to see if they agreed. It was artist by artist and song by song.

MR: What do some of these songs and artists mean to you, and do you have any specific songs on Bridges that you have specific memories or stories attached to?

MS: I have stories with each one and this will always be one of the best things that I have ever done…I know that I will have stories to tell my grandchildren about these amazing Legends. “Where The Boys Are” seems out of place but this is a song I sang very early on in the Opry’s and the iPhone video of it with the Oak Ridge Boys helped to give me credibility when asking some of the Legends if they would consider singing with me. It opened doors and I love to sing it.

MR: You’re an 18-year-old who, through this album, is creating a “bridge” to older generations and some beloved songs. Do you feel the weight of pulling off a project like this just right? Are you aware you might be presenting material like this for the first time to your peers and are you anxious to see their reaction?

MS: I am excited because I told so many of my friends what I was doing on the weekends when I was in high school and they didn’t have the faintest idea why I would choose this over a party. My parents have taught me to respect those that have gone before me and I hope to not only introduce my generation to these songs but to set an example that you can never go wrong honoring those that have made a way for you to follow your dreams.

MR: What made you choose a country music path?

MS: Losing yourself in the story. I love getting lost in a song and what it can do to your soul.

MR: Are there other songs that you might have recorded but didn’t have the time or room on the album for?

MS: I really can’t say that there is because I believe that the Legends that stepped up and said they would do this deserve all the recognition. There are no empty hopes or any regrets…I love it just the way it is.

MR: What’s your favorite track and why? Were you surprised by the approach taken by any of the guest artist performances?

MS: I can not name one because I love them all. I was very shocked and surprised by Dolly. She said she loved the trax and wanted to dance around my vocals. I was in shock but I was not going to tell Dolly what to do. The outcome is an amazing version of “Jolene” and I am so happy because it does not sound like any other recorded version of “Jolene.”

MR: What advice do you have for new artists?

MS: Take constructive criticism, don’t let anyone tell you what your dream is and surround yourself with good people who make you a better person. Don’t chase after fame because it is fleeting.

MR: How do you picture Mary Sarah five years from now? What do you hope will happen for you

MS: I hope to be touring and sharing great music with people around the world. I have been blessed enough to start with the Legends and I hope to be a Legend one day that can do what these Legends have done for me.