Interview: Sarah Harralson

“Sarah Harralson presents honest, bare-boned recordings that are authentic,” stated Music Connection Magazine after hearing her debut singer-songwriter EP, Finally Found, in 2014. Her authenticity lies in her lyrics based on true stories followed by melodies that will be stuck in your head hours after hearing it. This Knoxville native began writing songs when she was ten years old, her granddad being her biggest musical influence.

A year after releasing her EP in 2014, she was discovered by Scotty Schultz, drummer of Shooter Jennings. Scotty opened up his publishing company, Raindrop Music LLC, in 2015 and after hearing Sarah’s original song “Watered Down Whiskey”, he knew he wanted to sign her right away. Scotty decided he would produce her first country EP, Watered Down Whiskey, of all original songs that Sarah has either written or co-written. Sarah’s country influences range from The Dixie Chicks to Jewel to Johnny Cash, which comes across on her second EP.

One of the tracks on the EP includes, “Radio Static” that was co-written with Johnny Garcia (lead guitar for Garth Brooks). Over time, Sarah began writing and working with Johnny, which evolved to Sarah signing her next deal with Busy at Play Publishing. Besides performing, Sarah also produces music herself and decided to release a collaborative album, West of Me, with co-writer Christine Bauer in early 2019 that she self-produced.

We had the pleasure of checking in with Sarah and she was kind enough to respond to a few interview questions.

We are SO excited to be chatting with YOU! We hear you have a new single coming out called "Frosty"! Please tell us EVERYTHING behind the song and what we can expect! 

I do! I've had this idea for a while of writing a holiday song called "Frosty", but making it about a woman who is cold-hearted. It's definitely not your typical warm holiday song, but the melody still incorporates Christmas into it. I think my favorite part about this song is that it's very out of the box and not what you would expect for a holiday song, but it's still relatable since we all know someone who can be a little cold! 

What surprises you most about yourself as an artist? 

I think with how versatile I've become. I am a country artist, but I love including elements of different genres into my music and songwriting when I can. You may notice that some of my songs have sub-genre hints of pop, folk, rock 'n roll, and even soul. 

Is there any pressure when recording a Holiday record? 

Absolutely! This is my first official holiday release, but there is always pressure when recording a holiday cover that everyone knows and loves. And there is also pressure releasing an original holiday song since people have written absolutely ingenious holiday songs that you feel you must live up to.

Most memorable career moment? 

That would be this February when I signed a new artist development and publishing deal with my new publisher & producer, Busy at Play Publishing. Johnny Garcia owns it, and he plays guitar for both Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and is just a wonderful person to work with in general. I feel like he really understands my sound and tailors to it. 

Where can our audience find you and support all your current and new projects!! 

You can find me on all social media under Sarah Harralson, and my website is www.sarahharralson.com!