Tori Rose On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry

An Interview With Guernslye Honoré

Take care of yourself in general. That seems pretty self explanatory, but the industry is constantly changing and moving quickly. I’ve had to learn to prioritize healthy food and getting off my phone at night to get good sleep. So make sure you’re eating well, taking advantage of any time you can sleep, and exercise.

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

Growing up on the Monongahela River in southwestern Pennsylvania, Tori Rose’s love affair with country music began at an early age while cruising the waters on her family boat. Blending traditional and contemporary country music, she garnered an appreciation for legendary icons such as Dolly Parton and Hank Williams Jr., along with her childhood favorites Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town. Her music career blossomed at the age of 12 when she was given the opportunity to perform at Pittsburgh’s Hard Rock Cafe followed by a National Anthem performance at the Monster Truck Jam (PPG Paints Arena). Since then, she has received welcome to perform original sets at various music festivals and venues such as: Bloomfest 2020, Virtual Festival 2020, Tin Roof Orlando, Disney Springs’ AMC Theatre and Live Oak Nashville and Ole Red Orlando. In 2021, she won Ole Red Orlando’s Battle of the Bands contest. While Tori is most certainly characterized by her songwriting ability, sassy lyrics and crisp twangy vocals, what lies beneath is the tenacity and determination that will put her on the path of success. She expertly balances young-hearted romanticism with sophistication to offer a relatable quality that country music fans alike, can latch onto. The now nineteen-year-old has left the Sunshine State to pursue her dreams in Music City where she has been hard at work in the studio recording a series of singles, including her debut, “17” which is available now.

Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?

I’m so excited to be able to join you guys also and to have this opportunity! I grew up in a very small town about an hour south of Pittsburgh, right on the Monongahela River. Boating and being on the river was one of the biggest parts of my childhood. That’s really where I first started listening to and falling in love with country music. I always loved music and everything that came with it. I grew up singing in choir and in musicals in school. I learned how to play the piano, guitar, and ukulele all before high school, and I later moved to Florida for high school to be in a music conservatory. That’s when I really started doing music full time, and fully realized this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

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

Growing up surrounded by country music I feel really brought me to this path. My parents have always loved and appreciated music. I’ve always loved singing and loved learning new instruments, but I realized very young how country music can bring so many people together. I specifically remember every Fourth of July on the boat listening to “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith. We would all tie our boats together, and everyone would sing along. I don’t know how to describe it, but people all singing along together and coming together for music really just makes me happy. I just love how a song can make so many people feel something, and I hope to do that with my music.

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

The most interesting thing that has happened to me during my career probably has to be when I won Ole Red’s Battle Of the Bands 2021 in Orlando. I was the youngest one playing in that (only 17) and it was only my first year playing there. I honestly never expected to win, I was just happy to be apart of it. But I specifically remember that night when they announced I was the winner. And yes, winning was a great accomplishment, but it really just made me happy that people loved hearing my music and hearing me sing, because that is all I want to do.

Can you share with us an interesting story and/or a few of the best parts of living in Nashville? We’d love to hear some specific examples or stories about that.

I think some of the best parts about living in Nashville is the energy; I love the energy of the city and and I love the people. I’ve always struggled fitting in, but I’ve met some amazing people up here, and it’s really just made Nashville feel like home.

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?

One time, I was playing at Ole Red Orlando, and my band and I were doing an acoustic set where we did a lot of classic songs. One of the songs was, “Take Me Home Country Roads.” And I totally forgot the lyrics to the second verse. I couldn’t even try to fake any lyrics, so I just flat out said, “Guys, I totally

forgot the words.” Everyone then started laughing and singing along to that part of the song. I think I really learned in that moment that everyone does make mistakes, because we are all human, and it happens. One mistake isn’t going to define how good or bad you are at something you love. And that night also made me very grateful for everyone who was there. It turned into one of my favorite times I played because the crowd sang along the rest of the night with me, and I just felt like I had this little bond with people that I’ve never even met before.

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?

I would have to say both of my parents — I am incredibly grateful for them. Genuinely, without them, I would not be where I am. They both have pushed me when I needed it.

And they’re both very honest people, so if something doesn’t sound good, they will tell me.

They’ve supported me in every way possible. I don’t know if I have a specific story, but my whole family is a very honest, straight to the point household. So I know for a fact that I got my work ethic and my backbone from them, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

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

I released my debut single “17” on June 17th and am so excited to put this one out! I also released a music video to go along with the song. I was so excited to release this because this song is like my baby, and I’m so grateful I got to do a music video for it. I’m also working on more singles to be released very very soon, that I’m even more excited for!

What are 5 things you wish someone told you when you first started and why? Share a story or example for each.

1. Always appreciate everyone in the industry no matter what part they play. One thing I always remember was when I played at Ole Red Orlando frequently, I became very friendly with the sound guys, and they always made sure to help me out in any way they could and I’m very grateful for that.
2. Always be over-prepared. Whether that’s performance wise, equipment wise, or anything business wise. You never know what will happen happen and what you may need. One thing I always bring with me to performances is extra batteries and strings for my guitar. I’ve had my battery go dead and had a string broke in the middle of a performance, and luckily I had extras with me.
3. Take care of your voice. When I first started, I was not taking care of my voice as well as I should’ve. I was over using it when I didn’t need to, and I wasn’t taking much of any precautions when my voice didn’t feel good. So now I have a personal steamer I use all the time. Throat coat tea is my best friend. And I’ve learned how to control my voice for different situations, and I know when to give my voice a rest.
4. The music business is a marathon not a sprint. Everyone in the industry has been working their butts off for years, including myself. I’ve worked with many different people and I would be lying if I didn’t say that I thought my career should be moving faster than it is. Everyone is trying to get a deal as quick as possible. But don’t get discouraged when it takes longer than you expect. Just keep working and performing and one day it will all pay off.
5. Take care of yourself in general. That seems pretty self explanatory, but the industry is constantly changing and moving quickly. I’ve had to learn to prioritize healthy food and getting off my phone at night to get good sleep. So make sure you’re eating well, taking advantage of any time you can sleep, and exercise.

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

Take time to yourself. Maybe that can still involve music, but do what you want to do. If you want to practice a specific song that doesn’t have anything to do with your next performance, just do it for you. And know that taking times specifically for yourself doesn’t make you lazy. Sometimes, your brain just needs a break. I’ve become burnt out myself a few times, and at that point I just try not to force myself to do anything so I can fall back in love with music again. Also, I would try your hardest to make everything be fun. Not everything has to be so serious. If music is your love, like how I feel about it, you don’t want to always treat it like a job. Honestly make everything as fun as you can, but know when to give yourself a break.

If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

I wish I could inspire a movement of freedom throughout the whole world. There are multiple different countries that you are not allowed to make your own choices in, and I wish everyone had the equal opportunity to have that choice.

What is your favorite life lesson quote? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Everything happens for a reason.” There have been a decent amount of times where I did not believe this, but right now I 100% do. I’ve worked with multiple different people, have been let down so many times, have lost people in my life I never thought I would, but in the end I am grateful for everything that has happened. It’s taught me a lot and even now there’s a lot going on in my life but I fully believe everything is happening for a reason.

Is there a person in the world you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?

Dolly Parton!!! I grew up listening to her and she’s probably my top idol. I would just love to talk about everything she’s learned, and hear interesting stories about her career.

How can our readers follow you online?

They can follow me on all my social media; Instagram and Facebook @tori.rose.music, and TikTok @torirosemusic. And they can also go to my website, torirosemusic.com.

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

Thank you!

About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.