Aubrey Wollett’s new single, “Friends With Me” is available everywhere online now! This song was co-written with Erica Sunshine Lee and produced by Alex Gilson and vocals produced by Lee Turner in Nashville, TN. This song was written in the middle of the pandemic with a lot of division in the world. It’s about keeping a friendship even if you disagree with them. “Agree to disagree, but you can still be friends with me.” -Lyrics. This song is a mix of country and Sheryl Crow rock in roll, you’ll no doubt have it on repeat. “The world needs to hear this song so we can all be a little kinder to each other these days.” – Wollett says.
We had the good fortune of connecting with Aubrey Wollett and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Aubrey, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going? If chasing your dream was easy, everyone would do it. Dreams takes imagination, belief in yourself with the courage and drive to achieve them. It’s human nature to think things are too hard and impossible, but it’s the ones who stick with it through the ‘not so glamorous moments’ that end up making it to the top. I believe that we all have a purpose on Earth and if we listen closely to our gut, we’ll be guided along the right path for success. It’s also important to keep in mind that everyones journey will look different even within the same industry. There has been many times where I have felt like giving up because it gets tough and doubt often takes over, but I’m here to tell you it’s worth it! If you are passionate about something and love it without the reward, go for it! I’ve always believed if you work hard and truly love what you do, the right doors will open for you at the right time. Trust that process and believe in yourself.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally? I am a Country Artist/ Singer- Songwriter. Music is in my blood and I’ve always had a love for singing and performing since I was a kid. I grew up singing in church and the musicals at my high schools but really learned what it takes to make it in the industry once I moved to Nashville, TN. I studied music business at Belmont University, which is where I learned how to create a business template for myself as an independent artist. I started writing music when I was a teenager, but really dove into the process while I was spending most of my time co-writing on Music Row. One of the most important things I learned as an artist was to stay authentic and write about what you know. I have found that the songs I’ve written from personal experiences relate to fans more. I grew up a bike ride from the beach in Dunedin, FL (near Clearwater Beach), which is why my music is mostly about sunshine, love, and the ocean. As an artist I enjoy sharing music that makes people feel good and help them forget their worries. The first song that really opened up a few doors for me is my song “Saltwater Gypsy.” I wrote this song about being a traveling musician, booking shows near the water so I could play near it, and being an independent artist while embracing that creative freedom. It was my first song to premiere on CMT (Country Music Television), I have a wine named after the song at Farmer’s Daughter Vineyards in Thomasville, GA, and it allowed me to start opening up for headlining acts such as Billy Currington, Tanya Tucker, Hunter Hayes, Carly Pearce, and more. Creating your own path isn’t always easy. You have to stay fearless, passionate, and not afraid of what people think. It’s really easy to compare yourself to someone else’s ending but you have to stay focused and believe you are the right chapter of your journey.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to? Tampa Bay has grown tremendously! There are so many neat spots to visit within a 30 mile radius. First stop to check out would definitely be the beach! Clearwater Beach is fun for a full day of sunshine, beach volleyball, good food and drinks. I highly recommend Frenchy’s Cafe on the beachside for lunch, and Spotted Donkey for an incredible margarita and taco for dinner! The Wyndham Grande is also a beautiful hotel to grab a cocktail and watch the sun go down. Another favorite local spot of mine is in my hometown, Dunedin, FL. The Downtown area is fun to explore and grab food and drinks nearby the water. My favorite places to hang out are on the back patio of Crown and Bull, or at Stirling Wine – which is where I often play when I’m in town. During the day one of my favorite things to do in Dunedin is go to the Dunedin Causeway and paddle board. They have rentable kayaks and boards at a little tiki bar called High and Dry Bar & Grill. (This is also where I did my music video for my song “Better on a Beach.” (Available on YouTube) In Tampa a few of my favorite spots are walking or riding bikes along Bayshore. They have bicycles that you can rent along the walkway close to the water. Armature Works is another cool hang out spot to explore, enjoy the sunset, grab food and drinks. They have many choices to choose from with all types of food. Close by is the best sushi in town, in my opinion, at Kelp. Their happy hour deals are incredible too! Outside of food, drinks, and beaches, Tampa Bay offers many sporting events to go to in the area! We are home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays Baseball, Tampa Bay Lightning, and also The Tampa Bay Rowdies. There’s also the Clearwater and Tampa Aquarium, as well as Busch Gardens!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition? Surrounding myself with inspiring people and encouraging friends and family is the foundation for my success. I am very grateful for my family, who has always been my been my biggest cheerleaders from the start. They’ve never doubted me, and also gave me the freedom to try different things. I believe having a mentor or someone to look up to is vital for growth. My vocal coach, Christa Matheou, had a huge impact on me. From mentor to friend, she taught me the basics of music, performing, and showed me that I could always count on her throughout my musical endeavors. I’ve also learned that I thrive when I spend time with genuine friends. As a female entrepreneur, it’s important to find trustworthy, healthy friendships with women that build each other up. I’d also like to give a shoutout to my fans and anyone who has supported my music. Music has always been a type of therapy for me and I feel blessed to be able to play music for a living. Whether you’ve seen me at one of my live shows, shared my music with a friend, bought a t- shirt, or downloaded my music, I am forever grateful for you. Looking forward to sharing many more songs!
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