Hailing from a California Ranch, Callie Twisselman grew up surrounded by music. Watching her mother perform in a local country band sparked an undying passion for music early in Callie’s life. Callie credits the hard working attitude passed down by seven generations of cattle farmers for giving her the strength to endure the trials and tribulations that go with chasing a dream. Now living in Nashville and fresh off her debut single “Two Hands”, Callie is already making waves in the big pond.
Recently, we had the chance to catch up with Callie about everything from her unique upbringing, to “Two Hands” and so much more!
Did watching your mother perform growing up inspire you to become a musician?
Watching my mother perform in a local country band was definitely a big part in me wanting to be a singer. I remember I would take her karaoke tapes and make a make believe stage in our backyard and just sing and pretend I was performing too.
At what age did you realize that you could pursue music seriously and at that point what was your first step towards making it a reality?
I was 10 years old when I realized music was what I wanted to pursue. I started singing this song around the house, from the movie “Little Rascals,” it was called “Baby Face” that the character Darla would sing in the movie. My family would hear me sing it and tell me how good I was, and I just remember loving music ever since. After that, my sister and I got this idea that I should start singing the national anthem in front of crowds. So I tried out and got picked to sing before a Bonnie Raitt concert at our local fair. And after that I was hooked. I would sing the National Anthem anywhere I could.
What’s the transition been like moving from your ranch out to Nashville?
The transition from living on my family’s ranch in California to moving 2,000 miles away to Nashville, Tennessee was scary at first but also thrilling. I was going from the middle of nowhere to this big city, and had no idea if I would like the lifestyle change or be able to handle being away from my family. I am very close with my family so that was the hardest part. But I said I would at least give it three months to decide and then if I wanted to go back home I would. After the first month, though, I realized it was where I was meant to be. I wrote about as many songs in a month of living there as I did in a year of living in California. There is just so much inspiration and magic flowing in the air. I loved being a part of this town that was consumed with music. It was a dream to me.
Do you feel that your ranch upbringing instilled in you a different perspective than the average Nashville artist?
I think growing up on a 7 generation grain and cattle ranch definitely instilled a different perspective in me than the average Nashville artist. My upbringing was derived from hard work, cleaning cattle trailers, up at dawn feeding the cows hay, fixing fences and just all the duties of being a rancher’s daughter. I was this small town girl with a big dream and I think the “from the country” work ethic my father instilled in me poured over into my music career. Running a ranch you learn to have a lot of patience, you work hard for everything you have and you can’t help but have a humbleness in that way of life. And it is the same with me for my music. I will always work hard for my dream, be patient and stay humble.
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve taken with you to Nashville?
The most important lesson that I’ve taken with me to Nashville is to stay persistent. Things might not come easy and there are always going to be obstacles, but if you push through and love what you do it will be worth it.
Can you tell us the story behind your new single “Two Hands” and how this song came together?
My single “Two Hands” is a song about a girl who can be a handful at times and just lives life the way she wants to, but her man loves her and accepts her for who she is. It’s a fun, light hearted and upbeat song that I feel a lot of women and men in relationships can relate to. And for me it’s just the whole concept of being who you are and not apologizing for it, and the right person will love you for you. From the first few lines in the song, I can definitely relate. I have my moments of thinking I can out drink a man and have lost my keys numerous times lol. It’s those quirky things that make people special and different from one another, but you should never try to be something you’re not.
What’s next for you?
What’s next for me is some touring and live shows. That is all in the works still, but for sure I will be releasing more new music throughout the year, which I’m very excited about.
Worlds Of Country 