In the vibrant world of Texas country music, few artists stand out quite like Payton Riley.

A testament to talent and determination, Payton has captured the hearts of audiences since she was just nine years old, showcasing her larger-than-life voice and uncanny ability to connect with listeners through her original songs. Now, at 15, she’s made history as the youngest-ever nominee and winner of the Texas Country Music Association’s (TCMA) Young Artist of the Year award for 2023 and a finalist for 2024.

Payton recently hosted the inaugural Young Artist Songwriter Ranch Retreat in Centerville, Texas, from Oct. 11-13, 2024. This groundbreaking event brought together aspiring young artists from around the country to hone their songwriting skills, gain industry insights, and forge connections in a supportive environment. With dreams as big as Texas itself, Payton’s mission extends beyond her own music career; she’s determined to uplift and inspire the next generation of country artists. In this candid interview, Payton shares her motivations for launching the retreat, the impact it had on the participants, and her vision for future retreats.

Organizing the Young Artist Songwriter Ranch Retreat

Payton, as the Texas Country Music Association Young Artist of the Year, what motivated you to organize the inaugural Young Artist Songwriter Ranch Retreat, and what did this event mean to you personally?

For the past few years, I’ve been dreaming about starting a Young Artist Songwriter Retreat. Honestly, my family knows nothing about music, and I was totally clueless when I first started this journey too. We had to learn everything the hard way at first, and we still do sometimes! It was super overwhelming trying to figure out things like whether to record music, how to actually do it, and what to do with it once it’s done. I mean, there are so many questions, and it’s hard to know who to trust.

One day, I was talking to Linda Wilson from the Texas Country Music Association, and she asked me what my vision was and how I thought I could help young artists. I shared my idea for the retreat, and she was really excited about it! That conversation made me even more determined to help other young artists not have to stress about all these things and save them some time.

We had young artists come from all over, including Ohio, Memphis, and even two boys from Oklahoma, as well as from all over the great state of Texas. It means the world to me to support them and connect them with people who really know what they’re doing so they can find their way on their own crazy music journeys.

 

The Importance of Investing in Youth

The retreat was aimed at young artists aged 12-18. Why do you believe this age group is crucial for investing in their songwriting and music career development?

I really believe we need to invest in artists between 12 and 18 because we’re the next generation ready to make our mark on the world. We’re passionate, driven, and totally in love with music. If we start writing songs now, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Even if some of us don’t end up as famous singers, there are still chances for us to land publishing deals. The stories behind our songs are powerful and meaningful, and they can make people feel happy, reflective, or even a little sad. Music has a way of moving people, and we want to share that with the world.

 

The Impact of the Retreat

What kind of impact did the retreat have on the participants as they navigated their musical journeys? Were there specific outcomes you’re particularly excited about?

It was super interesting to see the young artists arrive at the retreat, all shy and unsure around each other. But by that night, we were gathered around the fire, instruments in hand, taking turns playing our original songs and covers, singing our hearts out. All that awkwardness just disappeared, and you could feel everyone’s confidence grow. I looked around the fire and saw everyone smiling, and it filled me with so much joy!

I’ve had my share of issues with friends who don’t really get the sacrifices I make to chase my dreams. They don’t understand why I can’t go to certain events and take it personally. But talking to the other young artists at the retreat, I realized they deal with the same stuff. We were all surrounded by people who love music and want the same things out of life, and it felt amazing to share that happiness.

We really bonded over the weekend, and when Sunday came, nobody wanted to leave. I got asked multiple times about the dates for the next retreat in 2025!

 

Quality Programming and Workshops

 

In collaboration with the Texas Country Music Association, what efforts did you put into place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the retreat’s programming and workshops?

The Texas Country Music Association and I had a phone call to discuss the retreat and decided to focus on the key players who really influenced me when I started my career. We put together some topics that we thought would be super helpful for musicians at any stage. We covered a ton of stuff like branding, social media, how to make money in this biz, the four main tastemakers in the industry, tips on recording music and what to do before and after, how to get gigs at venues, and info on publishing deals. It was a lot to take in, but every bit was super important.

We had some awesome industry speakers like Victory USA, Chuck Floyd Law, Smith Music, Powerhouse Promotions, Tailgate Talent, and Delaney Ann, who shared a ton of valuable info. I was really excited that we brought in Scott Sean White to lead the songwriting session. I’ve been wanting to meet him forever because I’ve heard such great things. He totally lived up to the hype — he was incredible, and I can’t imagine anyone else leading that class.

Plus, we made sure to have relatable mentors to help guide the artists if they hit any roadblocks, like Delaney Ann, Hadlie Jo, Ryder Grimes, and me, Payton Riley. The Texas Country Music Association and I really aimed to get the best people in front of these artists so they could learn the ins and outs of the industry, and I think we nailed it!

 

Valuable Sessions with Industry Professionals

You arranged for industry professionals to speak at the retreat. Can you highlight a few of the sessions you think that were particularly beneficial for the attendees and why?

In my opinion, the speakers that the kids found most enjoyable were the social media team, who provided valuable tips and tricks. They also emphasized an important point: don’t be disheartened if your singing video doesn’t receive many likes. Social media operates on algorithms, which don’t necessarily reflect how much people appreciate your content. Another captivating and entertaining speaker was Dusty Moats, who discussed recording, radio, and strategies for promoting your music.

 

The Art of Songwriting with Scott Sean White

Can you share what it was like to work with award-winning singer/songwriter Scott Sean White on the songwriting workshops? What special insights did he bring to the young artists?

I love Scott Sean White! He is an incredibly kind person with a wonderfully sweet spirit. He explained songwriting techniques in a way that was easy for everyone to grasp. He even played several songs that we analyzed in detail. He showed us how to truly listen to the radio, paying close attention to the lyrics, so we could keep learning even when he wasn’t around. He was the perfect teacher for the young artists.

 

Collaborative Songwriting Sessions

Can you describe the collaborative songwriting sessions? What excites you most about the opportunity for young artists to co-write songs with their peers and mentors?

The co-writing sessions were a blast, and I got to see everyone’s unique personalities and creativity shine through. On Saturday, after Scott Sean White’s songwriting lessons, we split into four groups to write a song. The mentors were just there to help out if anyone got stuck. Each group picked what they wanted their song to be about and got started. Scott walked around giving advice and feedback, and I was super impressed by how helpful he was! Then on Sunday morning, we mixed up the groups again for another songwriting co-write. This whole process really showed the kids what it’s like to co-write in a room together. Sometimes you might have to go along with someone else’s idea or write in a style that’s not your own, and that’s totally okay — you still give it your best shot. Everyone adapted really well and collaborated with their peers, who are now friends, to write some amazing songs!

 

The Support of Families

The final showcase allowed parents to witness their children’s performances. How important is it for young artists to have the support of their families in such a competitive industry?

The young artists were introduced by their mentors for day 1 and day 2 co-writing groups. They played the songs they wrote and got a huge round of applause. Some of them were pretty nervous since they didn’t have much experience performing in front of big crowds, but others, who have been doing this for years, were super supportive and uplifting. I’ve heard so many artists say how lucky I am to have my parents supporting me in this industry. A lot of them have told me that if they had the same love and support from their families, they might be way further along in their careers. That’s why I really appreciate all the parents who went out of their way to drive or fly to this songwriting retreat and found stuff to do for almost three days in the middle of nowhere just to support their kids. Their effort is really meaningful, and I know it’ll make a big difference in all these kids’ futures.

 

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead, do you have plans to make the Young Artist Songwriter Ranch Retreat an annual event? If so, what changes or improvements do you envision for future retreats?

We got tons of awesome feedback from the young artists and their parents, so I’m super pumped to have another retreat next year! I noticed a lot of parents were asking questions about the industry, so I’d love to add some classes for them. It’d be great for them to know what to expect and how to support their kids. I really think this would help both parents and kids a lot. I genuinely believe we’ll double the attendance next year, and I can’t wait!

As Payton Riley continues to break barriers and inspire young artists, her journey showcases the power of community and mentorship in the music industry. With plans for future retreats and an unwavering commitment to her craft, there’s no telling just how far this amazing young artist will go.

To follow Payton on all her social media, please visit her website: Payton Riley Music

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 Cover photo courtesy Payton Riley

Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.