Country Next: Baylee Lynn

At 18 years old, Baylee Lynn is still settling into life in Nashville, where she spends her days living out her dreams as a singer/songwriter. Through her debut EP, Heart On My Sleeve, fans get an introduction not only to her music, but also the small-town roots and family harmonies that raised her.

Hailing from Greenville, Tennessee, Lynn taught herself guitar by ear at just six years old and wrote her first song by 13. That foundation now shows up in everything she does, from her honest songwriting to the powerhouse vocals she brings into the studio.

There was never a backup plan for the songstress. She always carried a mindset her dad taught her, that in anything she pursued, there would be no plan B.

“If there was a plan B and plan A fell through, then I would rely on plan B. So music has always been my plan A, and I’ve always had the heart to fully pursue it,” Lynn explained to Country Now.

Her new project was inspired by a mix of early influences and present-day experiences, with standout moments like her debut single, “Cautiously Optimistic,” the vulnerable “Counting Tiles” and more. While the fan-favorite “That’s What I’ll Be” wasn’t originally included on the EP due to its original release on an official soundtrack for Netflix’s Nobody Wants This Season 2, it still plays an important role in shaping this chapter of her career. Because of that, it now appears on an extended version of Heart On My Sleeve.

With her life now rooted in Music City, Lynn is fully immersed in the writing and recording process, while also continuing to build her reputation as a live performer. As she continues to introduce herself through the country-pop sound on Heart On My Sleeve, the rising star is forging the path she was always meant to pursue.

Keep reading to learn more about Baylee Lynn, from her home life to stories behind the EP and what’s ahead for her career.

Talk about the people and the experiences that really inspired your love for music growing up.

So growing up, I was raised in church and my mom and dad both were musical. And my whole dad’s side of the family is bluegrass country music. And my mama actually found her love for music through my daddy. So growing up in church, I was always in the choir and harmonizing with my mom and dad. That was kind of where I found my love for music, but the one moment that really was the moment I realized this is what I want to do was my mom and daddy were up on the stage singing together and I was watching them and it kind of clicked in that moment that that was what I want to do. 

At six years old, you were teaching yourself to play the guitar and later, the piano. How did you go about that?

So I actually learned from a young age that I played by ear. So I can’t read music, I just can’t do that. It doesn’t come naturally. But my dad taught me the beginning chords on the guitar and I kind of just took it and ran from there.

Outside of church, what was your earliest memory of performing in front of other people?

So my first ever performance outside of the church was a school talent show and it was with a bunch of my classmates and I won. It was just kind of my first moment of being outside of the church and seeing country music rather than Christian. When I was younger, I had a little bit of nerves, but not really nervous and scared. It was more of just adrenaline.

Do you remember when songwriting came into play?

So when I wrote my first song at 13, I was sitting in my room and I had heard all of these love songs on the radio. I grew up on Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, all them on the radio. And I heard every other version of a love song. And in my young 13 brain, I was like, “Well, I’m going to write my own love song.” And it kind of just went from there. I was a little bit inspired by all my other influences. And to say it’s the cringiest love song you’ve ever heard is saying the least.

What was the shift like going from being at home to then really diving into the Nashville scene?

Moving to Nashville was a little difficult for me just being away from my parents. I’ve always been around my family, but since I’ve lived here, I feel like for my career, it’s opened a lot of doors. I get to write more often. I get to be in the office more. I get to go record songs whenever it’s needed. I just feel like all in all, it was the best decision for my career.

Now that you have your debut EP out, what do you want fans to understand about your mission for making music?

When it comes to my music, my goal has always been for them to look at me as a big sister in that sense and when they listen to my music or my EP or simply watch my videos, I just hope that they see it as a place where they’re understood and that their feelings are just as valid and that they matter.

Can you share the story behind the track, “Counting Tiles”?

So that song is a really vulnerable and raw song for me. I wrote it over a guy who had broke my heart and I was crying on the bathroom floor with my mama. But when I look back at this song now, it shows a lot of growth. I just feel like when I wrote this song, I envisioned it being a song that a lot of girls could relate to because I’m sure a lot of girls go to their bathroom floor and cry.

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Which song off the collection do you feel really speaks to where you’re at right now and previews the direction that you’re headed? 

“That’s What I’ll Be,” is a really special song and I feel like it is a new sense of emotion, just letting everyone know that they’re not alone. And like I said, that’s something I always want my fans to feel and that know that their feelings are just as valid.

This song appeared in the Netflix series, Nobody Wants This. How did that opportunity came about for you?

That opportunity came from Aaron Foster and Simon Tikhman. They are the sweetest people ever and I’m so blessed to know them and to get to work with them, but Simon is my manager and Aaron produced the Netflix show, so it kind of those together, but that whole experience was a total blessing. I got to walk my first red carpet, go to LA for the first time, all in 24 hours. it was a lot, but that whole experience was a true blessing and I thank God for it every day

What made you want to expand the EP to include “That’s What I’ll Be”

“That’s What I’ll Be” is a song that can apply to anyone near and dear to your heart and it is relatable and encouraging to anyone going through a hard situation. It’s even been a place of rest for me when I am going through something and I felt the EP was missing that sentiment so the perfect way to complete my first project was to extend it in hopes of giving it life beyond the incredible moment it had on the show in hopes in would continue to reach people. 

What’s next for you? 

Well, I just wrapped tour with Maddox Batson. It was my first ever and it was such an exciting whirlwind. I am excited to get to write and record more music during this season and recently joined the CAA fam for booking so I look forward to releasing music and playing more shows. 

What can people expect from a typical Baylee Lynn Show? 

My set will walk people through all the different emotions whether its heartbreak or falling in love and I try to create moments that are vulnerable and heartfelt as well as moments that are fun and upbeat. You can also expect a few fun covers. 

Fans can keep up with Baylee Lynn on Instagram.