…I think, with my music, the idea I want to spread is that it’s okay to have the feelings you’re experiencing. Your feelings are always valid, and it’s fine. But, there needs to be a time where you take your feelings, experience them, and then move forward. And that can be on whatever timeline you need. I hope my music has enough depth and layers to it that people can find a song for every part of what they’re going through. I think that’s what I want…
I had the pleasure to talk with Shelby Darrall. Shelby is a rising country artist who is making waves in the music industry with her powerful voice and relatable lyrics. Her latest single, “When I Don’t Love You,” is an anthem of self-empowerment and a testament to her ability to connect with her audience on a deeper level.
Shelby’s musical journey began in the tasting rooms of wineries in Calistoga, California, where she performed for locals and visitors alike. Her father, a member of the country rock band Silver Creek, encouraged her to pursue her passion for music and follow her dreams to Nashville, Tennessee. Since then, Shelby has become a multi-faceted performer, sharing the stage with notable artists such as Sam Hunt, Little Big Town, and Brett Eldredge.
Shelby’s music is a reflection of her experiences and emotions, with a focus on storytelling and relatability. She draws inspiration from her diverse musical idols, including The Chicks, Alabama, and The Eagles, and blends their influence into her artistry. Her songs are often described as introspective and personal, with a focus on self-discovery and growth.
In “When I Don’t Love You,” Shelby explores the theme of self-worth and empowerment. She explains that the song is a victory anthem for anyone who has gone through a break-up and come out stronger on the other side. “It’s an empowering feeling to finally look at someone and realize they don’t have any control over your emotions anymore because you love yourself more than you love them now,” she says.
Shelby’s music is not just a form of self-expression, but also a way to connect with her audience and provide a sense of comfort and understanding. She hopes that her songs can serve as a form of therapy for her listeners, much like how music has been a source of solace and inspiration for her.
As Shelby continues to create and release new music, she remains committed to her vision of empowering her audience. She sees her music as a way to help people through difficult times and to provide a sense of community and belonging. With her powerful voice, relatable lyrics, and authentic style, Shelby Darrall is an artist to watch in the country music scene.
Yitzi: Shelby, it’s a delight to meet you. Before you dive in, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Yeah, of course. So I’m originally from Napa Valley, California, and I lived there pretty much my whole life. My dad was from Idaho, and he was in a band while I was growing up. My mom was from Calistoga, California, Napa Valley, and they met at a show he played. Then if we fast forward a few years, me and my brothers came along. So I kind of always had a love for music through my dad. It just built more and more as I got older and I learned to play the guitar and I learned to write my own songs. I played in wine-tasting rooms while I was growing up because I wanted to practice. And that’s what I had available to me in Napa Valley, which was not a bad crowd because you get a couple of drunk guys and they tip like hundred-dollar bills in Napa Valley. So that was nice. But yeah, I grew up on music and my dad’s music. There was kind of this cool country rock line that I had because I was from Northern California. My mom had a lot of rock influence that she loved. My dad grew up in Idaho so he was more country/western. it just built into this sound that I think I have now, this Northern California country noise I make.
I lived in Arizona for a little while and then I moved to Nashville where I finished school out here. And yeah, I’ve just been trying to continue and further my career and release as much music as I can. I’m really happy here.
Yitzi: Amazing. So you probably have a lot of fascinating stories from different tours that you’ve gone on or different performances or just from being in the industry. Can you share with our readers one or two of the most interesting or the most humorous stories about your careers as a music artist?
Oh, yeah. So let’s see. Humorous. OK, so my name is Shelby Darryl. No one can spell it. Nobody can say it. Darryl is apparently the hardest name in the entire world. And so it’s just like it a thing with every tour I go on. When you’re an opening support act, you get like this dressing room sometimes when you’re lucky, you get a dressing room and they’ll put your name on it. And so we always make my band and I and my manager, we kind of place bets on how we think my name will be spelled this time or said or how I’ll be introduced. I’ve gotten like Sharon Darnell, which is not even close. And one time we walked up to my dressing room and it was Shelby Darryl. E.L…. which is a very common way that people misspell it. I had lipstick with me and I crossed it out and wrote Darryl correctly in just like for myself, honestly. I think that was when I was opening for Sam Hunt on this tour. I think we were with Sam Hunt on this tour, who’s amazing. He walked by my dressing room that night and said “that looks like it could be cool on merch…” So of course I took a picture and sent it to the company I work with to create my merch. They duplicated it and put it on a gray sweatshirt which I now sell in my merch.
Yitzi: I noticed the “Godluck” button on your hat. Is that your idea?
Oh, no, that’s not my idea. It’s a brand deal for a friend of mine. Her company is called God Luck, and she makes these hats. You can choose your own patches, and mine is Northern California-inspired, with redwoods, Tahoe, a horseshoe, and Chevy. I think the word “God Luck” is clever so be sure to check them out. @Godluckxo
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a humorous story about a mistake you made when you were first starting, and the lesson you learned from it?
Sure! When I was starting out, I had only ever really played acoustic shows with just my guitar. I hadn’t done many full band shows, and everything in my career happened pretty quickly. I signed with a booking agency and management, and suddenly I had shows booked, but I had never played a full band show before.
I was opening for Chase Rice, who is a good friend of mine, and it was my first full band show ever. I was so nervous because I had never done it before, and I don’t usually get nervous. But just before I went on stage, my brain went blank, and I couldn’t remember the first words to the song. Thankfully, my drummer was backstage with me and gave me the first three words of the first verse to help me get started.
Now, I have a bit of a superstition where I write the first three words of the first verse on my setlist before every show. It’s a reminder of that time when I was so scared of making a mistake that I shut down completely. It was a valuable lesson for me to learn.
Yitzi: I used to teach, and I had a recurring nightmare where I’d show up to class without having prepared for what I was supposed to teach. It’s probably a similar thing — you might have nightmares like that too.
Oh, those are called anxiety nightmares, and they’re real. I have them all the time; I didn’t know that ‘anxiety nightmares’ was a real term butI have them frequently. It’s awful to have those kinds of nightmares. For instance, I dream that I forget to do an entire assignment and can’t graduate. It’s that sort of thing.
Yitzi: Is there a person who made a profound impact on your professional life? And if you could please share a story about that person.
Yes, there have been a few individuals who have significantly impacted me in various ways. One of them is my manager, Autumn Legend. She’s incredible. Our relationship transcends the typical professional bounds; it’s as if we’re both deeply invested in the success of our venture, Shelby Darrell. Autumn has had a tremendous influence on my career. Her determination and belief in my potential often surpass my own, which is exactly what I need. She’s been instrumental in shaping my career trajectory.
Another person who has made a difference is Larry Fleet, a country music artist. Larry is one of the most authentic and talented individuals I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. We connected early on through our shared management company and quickly became friends. His humility and generosity stand out, especially in an industry that’s not always known for those qualities. Despite my relative obscurity at the time, Larry was incredibly supportive, taking me on tours and collaborating with me on songwriting. His kindness and willingness to help a newcomer like me have left a lasting impression. It’s because of him that I am, and always will be, committed to supporting emerging artists.
Yitzi: So Shelby, you have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers about the exciting projects you’re working on now, any releases, EPs, singles, and what’s coming next? Where do you see yourself going from here?
Shelby: Yes, I just released a song last Friday called “When I Don’t Love You.” It’s my newest single, and I’m very proud and excited about it. We’re currently promoting it as much as we can. I love performing it live because it resonates with a lot of people. The message is quite empowering once you really listen to it. So, I’m really excited about how fans are enjoying it right now. We’re also in the process of writing and recording the next songs to release. I think I’m always working on new music because I love sharing it. Being an independent artist allows me the freedom to release music as often as I like without anyone telling me that I can’t.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are game-changers for artists like me. They allow me to reach my audience without needing a label, which is incredibly liberating. This is the first time in my career that I’ve felt this level of freedom, which is very empowering. I’m looking forward to releasing more music. We have some exciting shows, festivals, and potential tours coming up, though I can’t confirm anything just yet. There’s a lot of exciting stuff on the horizon.
Yitzi: If you could combine all your songs and lyrics into one theme, what would be the main message from your music?
I like to think that my music would be like having a FaceTime call with me. You could take any advice, story, or whatever you need and use it in a way that serves you and helps you. I write my songs based on my own experiences but try to ensure that everyone can connect to the overall idea. I aim to make my music useful for others, kind of like what Taylor Swift was for me growing up. Basically, it’s like therapy for me.
Yitzi: That’s fascinating. That’s great. So, do you view your songwriting as therapy?
I think so. It’s a great way to express my thoughts and feelings, often with other people in the room. And when you add music, it’s like how listening to a sad song when you’re sad helps you understand your feelings better. That’s what music is to me, and that’s what I want my music to be for others.
Yitzi: Okay, this is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. So you’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Can you share, based on your experience, can you share with our readers five things you need to create a successful career in the music industry?
First, you need a calm head on your shoulders because a lot of things are going to go wrong and a lot is also going to go right. You need to figure out how to stay balanced the whole time.
Second, having a good group of people around you who support you and understand what you want, and want the same things, is crucial. This includes your team, friends, family, and your team again because they’re really important.
Third, pursue other hobbies because your life might be music — my life is music — but that doesn’t mean it’s all you have to be. I have a lot of other things that I love to do that fill me up and make me happy.
Fourth, I’m going to suggest taking instrument lessons because it’s been so helpful for me. I take guitar lessons right now. I’m not at a level where I can call myself a great guitar player, but I take lessons to ensure I’m good enough to play for myself, which I think is important.
Lastly, having a direction is key. You need to know who you are because nobody’s going to want to listen to you if you’re not sure of yourself. So, I think that’s pretty important.
Yitzi: It’s amazing. Can you share with our readers any self-care routines or practices that you do to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
I love this question. I’ve been using a journal, which is funny because I used to hate journaling. I never really got it, feeling a bit silly talking to myself. But then I found the Five Minute Journal, and it’s been a game-changer. It’s essentially a gratitude journal. Each morning and night, I list five things I’m grateful for, along with a mantra or positive affirmation. It really helps set a positive tone for my day from the start and helps me wind down positively at night. Besides journaling, I do a lot of yoga and work out regularly. I also try to stay hydrated, although I admit I could drink more water, and ensuring I get good sleep is crucial for me. It’s all been quite transformative.
Yitzi: So Shelby, because of the great work you’re doing, the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence, and people take your words very seriously. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
There’s a lot. I think, with my music, the idea I want to spread is that it’s okay to have the feelings you’re experiencing. Your feelings are always valid, and it’s fine. But, there needs to be a time where you take your feelings, experience them, and then move forward. And that can be on whatever timeline you need. I hope my music has enough depth and layers to it that people can find a song for every part of what they’re going through. I think that’s what I want.
Yitzi: Really profound and beautiful answer. Beautiful. So this is our final question. This is what we call our matchmaker question. And sometimes it works. So we’re very blessed that prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this column. Is there a person in the world or the US or in Nashville with whom you would like to have a coffee with, have a beer with, to collaborate with because we could tag them and maybe we could connect you?
Oh, Jesus. That’s so hard. There are so many people. Choose a few if not. Okay, this would be a big ask… but Cher is so important to me. She’s a big one for me. I think everything about her, how she presents herself, her attitude, and the way she speaks on shows, along with her feelings about self-care, I love. Cher is significant to me. She’s a big one. I’m also going to say Harry Styles. I’m just listing artists at this point, honestly. And as of right now, those are the two people I want to talk to.
I say Harry Styles because I love One Direction. They were awesome boys. But I think he’s come into his own in such a cool way by himself and had to let go of the childhood parts of him that everybody loved and then has still continued to be a huge star. And so I think he also just seems like a very mellow, cool guy. I would just like to pick his brain.
I have one more celebrity that I need to mention that I am obsessed with. And I think I need to meet him, and we’d be friends. Since he’s in country music, maybe it’s a little more reachable… Zach Bryan. I think he is so good. I think he’s changing the country music game, has already changed it, in a way that is so good for writers and artists like me. I just love him. I would want to talk to him for sure.
Yitzi: So when they make a biopic about you, who do you want to play you?
Kate Hudson. Quick answer. Actually, she’s one of my favorite actresses. I just watched Almost Famous and thought, “I love Kate Hudson.” Obviously, she’s older than me, so that might be tough. But if she could time travel and play me, that’d be great. I just love her. I think she’s stunning, effortlessly funny, and talented. I’ve always thought she’s the best actress and so funny. I still follow her on TikTok, and she still has that genetic charisma she’s always had. So she’s my pick.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow you online? How can they purchase your music? How can they support you in any way possible?
All my socials are under Shelby Darrall or Shelby Darrall Music, it’s one of the two. TikTok and Instagram are great ways to hear new music since I tease most of my stuff there, and you might catch glimpses of my dogs too. My website (shelbydarrall.com) will have all my upcoming shows, and I talk about those on my Instagram as well. But I would say my website, TikTok, Spotify, and Apple Music, all under Shelby Darrall, are the best ways to follow and support me.
Yitzi: Well, Shelby, it’s been a delight to meet you. I hope we can do this again. When you win a Grammy next year, I want to be able to interview you again.
Yes, let’s stay in touch.
Meet Nashville’s Rising Stars: Shelby Darrall was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.