Photo by Natalie Rhea
At 17, most teenagers are going to high school, hanging out with friends, thinking about college and doing all the typical things that teens do in high school. But 17-year-old singer/songwriter Abbey Cone is not your typical teenager. Instead of going to football games and taking exams at school, she released a full length album last year and has already become a talented musician respected by many.
Country music has been in Cone’s head and house for as long as she can remember. Her country roots and her early experiences listening to traditional country brought her to where she is today. “Though I don’t recall it, my dad tells me I used to sit in my car seat listening to Willie’s Roadhouse singing Bob Wills ‘Rolly Polly,’” Cone said. “So, coincidentally and thankfully I was born into it.”
Music is her love, but that doesn't mean that having so much success and drive so young hasn't been difficult for her. “I started home schooling after freshman year in high school and it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done emotionally and mentally,” Cone said. “I’ve lost friends because of my situation, but it’s also made me realize who my true friends are.”
It's easy to look at a current superstar that was in this exact place ten years ago this year and compare the two of them. And like that country-turned-pop superstar, Taylor Swift, Cone acknowledges that it's challenging sometimes to have so much success so young. “But music has always been a constant in my life,” Cone said, “and I’m grateful for that.”
Music is her love, but that doesn't mean that having so much success and drive so young hasn't been difficult for her. “I started home schooling after freshman year in high school and it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done emotionally and mentally,” Cone said. “I’ve lost friends because of my situation, but it’s also made me realize who my true friends are.”
It's easy to look at a current superstar that was in this exact place ten years ago this year and compare the two of them. And like that country-turned-pop superstar, Taylor Swift, Cone acknowledges that it's challenging sometimes to have so much success so young. “But music has always been a constant in my life,” Cone said, “and I’m grateful for that.”
Some of Abbey's favorite songs right now!
But music hasn't just been a constant for Cone; it's been more than that. It's also been a learning experience, being in the industry. Rather than developing the cliche pompous attitude towards their life that many successful people acquire, Cone said she believes music and success have actually improved her as a person.
“Although I’ve gotten to experience many special things at a young age, I think it’s made me very humble more than anything,” Cone said. “I’ve always been very in touch with the fact that I am so blessed to have been given my talent, so I would say it’s changed my life regarding making me a very humble person.”
And Cone has done some amazing things, such as being featured in Country Weekly magazine, signing with SNG Nashville, debuting at the Bluebird Cafe last December, and writing 15 of the 16 songs on her debut album. But her favorite thing so far in the country music industry has been meeting the people, who she calls “incredibly cool and talented. Whether an artist or not,” said Cone, “people in the music industry always have a good vibe about them.”
She herself is one of those cool and talented individuals in the industry. Her incredible debut record is representative of her country soul sound. “I love the country lyrics mixed with the rhythm and phrasing of R&B,” Cone said.
That fusion comes from her list of inspirations, which includes Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. On her album, acoustic instrumentals and country twang meet a more soulful delivery and phrasing, best represented in “Southern Charm” and “This Ain't Your Heartbreak,” which she calls two songs most representative of her story and sound.
“Although I’ve gotten to experience many special things at a young age, I think it’s made me very humble more than anything,” Cone said. “I’ve always been very in touch with the fact that I am so blessed to have been given my talent, so I would say it’s changed my life regarding making me a very humble person.”
And Cone has done some amazing things, such as being featured in Country Weekly magazine, signing with SNG Nashville, debuting at the Bluebird Cafe last December, and writing 15 of the 16 songs on her debut album. But her favorite thing so far in the country music industry has been meeting the people, who she calls “incredibly cool and talented. Whether an artist or not,” said Cone, “people in the music industry always have a good vibe about them.”
She herself is one of those cool and talented individuals in the industry. Her incredible debut record is representative of her country soul sound. “I love the country lyrics mixed with the rhythm and phrasing of R&B,” Cone said.
That fusion comes from her list of inspirations, which includes Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt, Mariah Carey and Aretha Franklin. On her album, acoustic instrumentals and country twang meet a more soulful delivery and phrasing, best represented in “Southern Charm” and “This Ain't Your Heartbreak,” which she calls two songs most representative of her story and sound.
Songwriting is a big part of Cone as an artist, and on her album, she's the most proud of “Better Off A Memory” because she wrote it by herself. “I love them all,” she said speaking of the songs on her record, “but I wrote that song all by myself and it can sometimes be challenging for me to write alone so that song makes me proud of my writing.”
New music is as the forefront of Cone's life currently. She said she thinks her new music represents her and her sound even better than her past music. “Over the last year I’ve been really focused on honing in on my sound and writing and I’ve got a really great handful of songs that I’m incredibly proud of.”
Although she's been working hard, she doesn't have any official release dates quite yet. But she is sure that when the music does come out it will be 100% representative of her. “I can say that when the next sounds do come out they will be the truest form of my artistry to date. I’m changing as a person everyday and along with that come changes in myself as an artist.”
Abbey Cone is a perfect representation of an artist that stays true to herself. She calls that one of the more important things you can do as an artist; and she succeeds in that.
"Being confident, but not conceited in your talent is vital and work ethic is everything,” Cone said. “When it comes to the business side of things, I’d say don’t get caught up in sparkly names and fancy suits, people can’t mistake talent, though the politics are inevitable, good music is undeniable.”
Although she's been working hard, she doesn't have any official release dates quite yet. But she is sure that when the music does come out it will be 100% representative of her. “I can say that when the next sounds do come out they will be the truest form of my artistry to date. I’m changing as a person everyday and along with that come changes in myself as an artist.”
Abbey Cone is a perfect representation of an artist that stays true to herself. She calls that one of the more important things you can do as an artist; and she succeeds in that.
"Being confident, but not conceited in your talent is vital and work ethic is everything,” Cone said. “When it comes to the business side of things, I’d say don’t get caught up in sparkly names and fancy suits, people can’t mistake talent, though the politics are inevitable, good music is undeniable.”
Keep up with Abbey at the links below!
Official Website: abbeycone.com
Twitter: @abbeycone
Instagram: @abbeycone
Facebook: Abbey Cone Music
iTunes: Abbey Cone
Official Website: abbeycone.com
Twitter: @abbeycone
Instagram: @abbeycone
Facebook: Abbey Cone Music
iTunes: Abbey Cone
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