Presley Tennant's Horsetown Roots

Growing up in Norco, California, aka "Horsetown USA," Presley Tennant has been exposed to the country lifestyle her whole life. She always thought she was going to pursue a career playing soccer, but when she started doing little karaoke nights at their local Mexican restaurant, she found a new love for music. She recalls, "My parents would go, they'd have some tacos, and then I would sing Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker." From there, I took vocal lessons and then started in little competitions, and that's where I got scouted to be into the girl group called the Five LPs or the Five Little Princesses."

During that time, she was part of the girl group, playing soccer full time, and also going to school. She made the decision to be homeschooled so she could manage her busy schedule. "It just got to the point where I completely fell in love with everything about the music industry and working with so many incredible people, and I had to give up soccer. I knew at that point it was just music is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."

When she was 13, the group fizzled out, and Presley continued on the pop path because that's what she was familiar with. But, a few years later things changed. "I just felt like the music wasn't who I was, I was being something that I wasn't. So I kind of did a little bit of soul searching during that time. And I got on Season 16 of The Voice with Kelly Clarkson. And that was such an amazing experience because I learned so much not only about my artistry, but as who I am as a person aside from music. And it led me back to my roots and where I'm from."

"The Voice for me was one of the most incredible experiences. I've always looked up to Kelly Clarkson too, she was my first concert ever. I used to sing her songs everywhere. So when I got to audition for the coaches it was so cool to see my idol turn around for me and I got to work with her. She is the most humble and genuine person that you will ever meet, the sweetest soul."

The best piece of advice Presley has received came from Kelly before her Top 24 performance on The Voice, "At the end of the day, you have to be okay with everything that you do and you have to believe in it wholeheartedly, because you have to go home, look at yourself in the mirror, and be proud of who you are." That's when she made the switch to country music, and it never felt more right. "I felt like I was doing something for myself. By that time I made the switch, I had figured out exactly who I am and what I wanted to say with my music and be able to tell a story."

"I think it's really cool to be a woman in country because of the fact that I feel like in the music industry, a lot of it is male-dominated. But, for women too, there's always been those few women who have really stuck out. I feel like when you listened, there was Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and all these incredible artists. I feel like nowadays there's so many more women who have the platform to put their voice out there and let people hear their music and have people genuinely love their music. I think that's really cool because we can tell a different perspective on things when it comes to the music industry and who we are as people."

Stay tuned for her new single "Break My Heart" in the coming weeks. Make sure to keep up with Presley on Instagram and Facebook for any new updates! Keep up the great work, cowgirl! We can't wait to see your career blossom even more as a woman in country music.