Meet Nashville’s Rising Stars: Jordyn Stoddard

An Interview With Edward Sylvan

Continue to surround yourself with people who are just as passionate. Build a community of supporters and teammates, you don’t have to do it alone. Continue to fall in love with music and its ever-changing process.

As a part of our series about Nashville’s rising stars, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jordyn Stoddard.

Born and raised on the beaches of Jacksonville, Florida, Jordyn Stoddard moved to Nashville at the age of 18 to pursue her dream of being an entertainer. The 23-year-old quickly positioned herself as a triple threat in Music City, as a writer, performer, and multi-talented instrumentalist. Jordyn has spent her time in Nashville honing in on her craft while redefining her sound.

With a bold voice and edgy style, Jordyn’s upcoming work is sure to be a transcendent creative piece, capturing all the darkest and lightest elements of music and life. She aims to empower her listeners by being her complete and vulnerable self so that others can do the same.

Find out more about Jordyn Stoddard at www.jordynstoddard.com

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida with a blended family household. I have multiple siblings, so my parents always had their hands full with practices and recitals. I lived in a cute little beach town and spent most of my days taking that for granted. I would give anything to have that kind of escape now. After high school, I packed up most of my life in a couple of boxes and moved to Nashville to pursue music full time.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

My dad recognized early on that I had more than just a love for music. He saw that music was my gift and my family did nothing but support that dream. The first concert my dad took me to was Cher, and I was mesmerized by every detail of the show. Starting from the stage designs, costumes, arrangements, and choreography. It was moments like that when I realized that I wanted to be an entertainer and not just a singer. So over the years, I have continued to craft that vision for myself.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

My time in high school was interesting to say the least. Music started to become more than just a hobby and my life as a teenager was based specifically around that. I ended up being homeschooled my junior year to finish out a radio tour I had started that previous summer. My dad drove me all around the US in his Tahoe so that I could play my unreleased music for multiple radio stops. As a 16-year-old, this was the most interesting part of my life.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I started teaching myself guitar around the age of 12. I had entered into a singing competition to open up for an artist on the rise. I decided to play the one song I knew on guitar which was easily something by Taylor Swift. I had never expected to win because I was so new but I was the only one in the competition who had played an instrument while performing. After finding out I had two days until I was opening up for this up-and-coming artist, I realized I did not know any other songs on the guitar except the one I had already played. I had to play it off like I had a long list of songs ready to go and then spent the next 48 hours cramming the easiest songs on guitar into my set.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Currently, I am finishing up an EP that was written over quarantine with some of my closest friends. It was written and produced by all females, which is the highlight of the project for me. This project is just a glimpse into my new chapter of music.

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

This topic really has one reason that resonates the most with me. That reason being: we should live in a society where equality should be the standard for all races and genders. IN ALL INDUSTRIES! I will continue to use my platform to be an advocate for this topic.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1. Believe in yourself first, because not everyone is going to support or approve the vision.
2. Be authentic.
3. Continue to surround yourself with people who are just as passionate. Build a community of supporters and teammates, you don’t have to do it alone.
4. Don’t be afraid to take risk.
5. Continue to fall in love with music and its ever-changing process.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Find outlets. My entire life has been focused on chasing this dream from a really young age. I have had multiple moments where I have felt “burnt out.” My advice is to go live your life. Get experience. Fall in love. That is where the inspirations stem from and the realness in music comes alive. Let yourself step away to come back with a stronger message.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I am a huge advocate for women in the industry, specifically women producers, writers, and directors. There is such a small percentage of them that have been given credit when there are tons of young female creators on the rise. This project in particular was to highlight that movement.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

My dad. He was the first to believe in me before I believed in myself. He comes to every show and is the first to hear anything I’m working on. He is my biggest supporter and I am so grateful for him.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

CS Lewis said, “You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Change in our life is inevitable and we can’t control it. Accepting that has allowed me to focus on growth and make my own choices without hesitation.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

RIHANNA. She has cultivated a brand far beyond her music that dives into art and beauty. She’s been the perfect example of how to empower those in any industry from all backgrounds. I love that she’s not afraid to take risks in art or in business.

How can our readers follow you online?

I am on all platforms from Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok @jordyn_stoddard. You can also go on my website (https://www.jordynstoddard.com) and subscribe to my newsletter for any updates on music.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!