Brittany Bextongrew up with Aretha Franklin, Motown, and rock and roll as the soundtracks that influenced her musical palate. She began her career as a youngster performing in hometown choirs and the theatre. Brittany studied music intently in high school and took vocal lessons with four master teachers. She attended Pacific Conservatory Theater (PCPA) where she studied acting, singing and dancing, and worked in professional musical theater. In 2011, the determined Northern California native moved to Nashville to dedicate her concentrations toward her music as a full-time endeavor.
Since her relocation to Music City, Brittany has released two CDs (a self-titled album and an EP titled FREE FALL); she has toured to perform at fairs and festivals in 18 states (performing at Fiddler's & Fiddleheads Festival/Oconto County Fair/Gogebic County Fair/Sonoma County Fair/Wyoming West Festival) sharing the spotlight with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Craig Wayne Boyd, Jason Sellers and Sarah Buxton among others.
In Nashville, Brittany has played at special events and venues including 12th & Porter, The Rutledge and The Amethyst Affair. As an active advocate against domestic abuse, Brittany works closely with various charities and affiliated organizations dedicating her time to lend assistance in awareness campaigns throughout the year. In addition to the US, her music has enjoyed airplay in the UK and Europe.
Brittany believes in a greater gift—that her music and writing have a greater purpose to bring joy, laughter, connection and hope to her listeners. Sharing personal insight, testimonials and her belief in a greater power, Brittany has written an inspiring book titled “Learning To Believe Again: 30 Days To Finding Hope, Faith & Comfort in God’s Truth.” (Released February 2020.) The 200-plus page paperback complements the hopeful and inspiring message of her debut single, “Believe Again,” released on February 28, 2020. She released the official music video for the song on June 3, 2022.
We recently had a chance to sit down with Brittany, and what a delightful conversation we had!
Hi, Brittany! We love your new music video for “Believe Again.” Can you provide some background information to how it came about?
Hi! Thank you so much, and thank you for having me for the interview! I wrote "Believe Again" when I was in the process of healing from PTSD, and I wrote it about my healing journey. I knew it was supposed to be my next single, but the process of getting it to the point of release kept being delayed for various reasons. I ended up releasing the song right before the world shut down from Covid. I had plans to tour and do book signings and shows, and do the video then, but within about two weeks of the release, everything shut down. So, I couldn't do the video at the time, and everything else kind of went on hold in a way too. But, I think it's really because after what everyone has been through collectively in the last couple years, the time for the video and song is really now. I ended up meeting the guys that ultimately filmed the video for me, Invisible Heroes Productions, co-writing with them. They showed me some of their video work, and we talked through my vision for the song. I had a lot of time to think about the storyboard that I wanted during the lockdowns! I really wanted it to show the transformation process of healing, and how even though it's hard, God is with you through the process, and it's worth it for the freedom in the end. I feel like we were able to capture that well with the video.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I have so many!! I grew up with my parents listening to a lot of oldies, jazz, and Motown, so I was definitely influenced by artists like Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Carole King and Patsy Cline (who I thought was a jazz artist when I was a kid, funny enough). As I grew into listening to more music with my friends, I listened to a lot of 90's rock, like Train, Goo Goo Dolls, Switchfoot, and Christian Contemporary...all the singer/songwriters at the time! Some female artists I liked a lot were Trisha Yearwood, Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah MacLaughlin, and Faith Hill. I have a pretty wide scope of influence. But, they all have a few things in common; good singers and melodies, and great lyrics that tell a story.
If you weren’t a singer/songwriter, what career path do you think you would have chosen? That's a tough one, because I really have wanted to do this my entire life. Even when I had other interests as well, I still knew I would be writing and singing. But...people used to joke when I was little that I was going to be a "singing, dancing, attorney marine biologist." So... I likely would have been a marine biologist or attorney. I have always had a strong sense of justice and a desire to see justice served, and have always loved all the crime dramas because of that. But, I also love the water, and I love marine animals. I have always been drawn to them. Dolphins were a gift of choice at some point in my life. Everyone got me dolphin stuff...everyone!
The other thing people have told me I would be good at is being a counselor. But, I'm a feeler and it's hard for me to totally separate from peoples hurt, so I knew that would not be a good career path for me. My songs are part of what I give to bring counsel and healing.
What’s one random fact about you that not many people know? When I was 15, I got the honor of being able to sing in Carnegie Hall with my Jazz Choir. I even got to sing a solo from "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning." It was for an invitational only Jazz festival, and it was an amazing experience. We had an amazing music teacher in my high school that created a lot of opportunities for us through the work she did with us. If you were granted three wishes tomorrow, what would you wish for? Hmm... This is a tough one! There are so many directions I can go with this, but here are 3 related to my music:
1- That my music will awaken and heal hearts everywhere it goes. 2- That the Holy Spirit will continue to pour out inspiration for songs to me that will have a positive impact.
3- That through my music, people would hear the heart of God, and know even in the difficult seasons, they are not alone.
For more information, visit www.brittanybexton.com and connect with Brittany on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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