Introducing Alannah McCready

Photo by Adrienne Louise

Hey Alannah, how the day treating you?

Hey! I am wonderful. Thank you so much for having me today!

First things first, introduce yourself to the campers.

Hi! I’m Alannah McCready! I am a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, but I grew up in Blaine, Minnesota. My mom is from Oklahoma and is the main reason I grew up loving country music so much. I used to listen to the powerful women of country music with her as a kid. I went to college at the University of Wisconsin- Madison where I was a member of the NCAA Champion Women’s Ice Hockey Team. After college, I was living in NYC doing PR for a sports management company when I finally got the opportunity to do music full-time. I quit my job, moved to the south, and have been a professional country singer-songwriter since 2012. Country music has always been my passion. I just love the way country songs allow you to connect with your listener and each song takes you somewhere emotionally.

Tell us something about you that we don't know.

I don’t really think there is anything I keep from the world! I am pretty much an open book when it comes to my career and my personal life. I have lived in six different states in my life so far, so that’s a fun fact!

What can you tell me about your debut single ‘Something Like That’?

‘Something Like That’ is a very personal song, as are all of the songs on my upcoming EP. It digs into what I now know that I want from a relationship. I’ve realized that we don’t need fancy things - all we really need are simple things to be happy. If I’m dating you and you can’t give me something like that, then this probably isn’t going to work!

How do you approach songwriting? Particularly on ‘Something Like That’.

When Will Gittens and I sat down to write this song, we knew we wanted it to be simple yet relatable. With this song, we were looking to write about what a lot of people think but might not say. We wanted to highlight the simple parts of what a true and honest relationship would consist of because, at the end of the day, that’s what we should all strive to find. I knew having Will and Sterling Gittens on this project was going to bring it to another level not only because of their talent but also because they know me so well. I knew my music was in the right hands.

What can we expect from you for the rest of 2021?

My new EP coming out in 2021 will feature the most relatable music I’ve ever written. The songs come from my personal experiences and a real place of emotion that I don’t think my fans have really seen from me yet. The first single, ‘Something Like That’ is available everywhere now. I am very excited to share this new collection of music with everyone.

I believe you live in Nashville now, when and how did you make the move from your hometown?

For the last eight years, I have lived in Atlanta as a professional musician. Now that I am releasing new music for the first time in three years and getting such good feedback, I decided it was finally time to make the move to Nashville. I wanted to give my music the best chance possible by living in the home of country music!

I hear you’re a champion ice hockey player, how hard a game is that?

Hockey? Oh, it’s just like running on ice wearing blades on your feet! I have basically been playing hockey since I was able to walk so for me it comes very naturally. I was very fortunate to play at the highest level possible for women’s hockey. I was even more fortunate for the two national championships and endless successes our team had during my collegiate career.

Most people these days talk about streaming numbers, what does success look like for you?

Obviously, we all strive to have the highest streaming numbers that we can. But aside from that, I just want my music to impact as many people as possible. I can only hope that my music helps to heal the people that are listening in the same way that I find songwriting to be a healing process.

Who (or what) inspires you?

My family and my friends inspire me! The endless support they have given me over the years is beyond imaginable. I am so lucky to have that kind of support system, especially in an industry like ours where it can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster!

What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?

Everything! You will find everything from classical to EDM to early 2000s hip hop on my daily playlists.

If you could recommend one artist to hear this week, who would it be?

Will Gittens, not only did he co-write my new project with me, but he is one of the most talented people I have ever met. You’re missing out if you haven’t heard his music.

What’s the question we should have asked you today but haven’t?

“Do you have any pets?” I only suggested this because I am biased and think I have the cutest dog on earth! One of my favorite things in the world is being a dog mom to my little Zoe!

Finally, how do you take your coffee?

I religiously drink a cold brew with two pumps of caramel syrup!

To find out more about Alannah you can visit her official website, or check out what she’s up to on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.