Road tripping from Canada to Florida is what sparked sophomore songwriting major Mariah Dion’s love for country music.
“I love Canada, but I’ve always had my sights set on Nashville,” Dion said.
Growing up, country music was always around her, playing on the radio in her house and car.
When she told her family she wanted to go to Nashville, they took the 13-hour road-trip from Canada to get here.
Dion has played music since she was 6 years old, starting out with piano.
She started learning guitar, her primary instrument, when she was 10.
“Theres nothing more special than those four chords and the truth. Acoustic guitars specifically for me have always felt right,” Dion said.
Dion said she was drawn to country music because of the storytelling elements and country’s focus on lyrics.
One of her lyrical inspirations is Kacey Musgraves.
“She kind of incorporates that folksy storytelling but also country. She tells it like it is. Her writing is so authentic and raw, so that's something I want to incorporate into my own writing,” Dion said.
Some of Dions' other influences are some of country music’s legends like Kelsey Ballerini, Shania Twain and Dolly Parton.
“I think that's so impactful for young women like me and young writers in Nashville in general,” Dion said.
Dion also said she likes how all-encompassing country music can be while still being true to stories of everyday experiences.
“It can be more traditional sounding, it can be more bluegrass sounding, can be more pop, and even now it’s become more hip-hop sounding,” Dion said. “But also, the lyricism and the stories it tells are just so unique to the genre,” Dion said.
During her live shows, Dion likes to be centerstage, her acoustic guitar in hand, playing out to an audience.
She likes looking out and making a true connection with an audience.
“If there's no connection there, who are you singing to?” Dion said.
In Nashville, Dion’s had the opportunity to play at The Bluebird Cafe, a surreal experience for her.
“Right when you walk in the Bluebird, above the door, it says ‘some of the most amazing songwriters have walked through these doors.’ I was like, ‘oh my gosh what am I doing here?’ But playing that was just a moment of this is what I’m meant to do,” Dion said.
Throughout her time at Belmont, Dion found a love for co-writing with people. She likes being able to bounce ideas off her co-writers compared to back home where it’s just her and her guitar.
“Co-writing is so magical, because when you and the collaborators that you work best with, it’s almost like they can read your mind,” Dion said.
Dion currently hasn’t released any music but has been working and writing for other artists, hoping to put her own sound out soon.
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This article was written by Sarah Baker