Singer Mickey Guyton performed to an enthusiastic audience at the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo this week. In addition to performing her hits, she talked about her experience in the music industry and shared advice for FFA members looking to achieve their goals, regardless of their career paths.
Q: What drew you to country music?
A: My grandma drew me to country music. She loved Dolly Parton, so that’s what I grew up with. When I was a little girl, I would go to her house and I’d watch a bunch of Southern movies. I heard LeAnn Rimes sing the national anthem at a baseball game when I was a little girl, and I didn’t see or hear country music. I just heard someone have this incredibly beautiful voice – I didn’t hear anything else but that voice. That’s how I fell in love with country music.
Q: A lot of country music references rural lifestyles and small town life. Do you identify with those themes?
A: Absolutely. I grew up in Crawford, Texas. I grew up in the country off of gravel and dirt roads. I’ve lived in really small towns my whole life, so those stories definitely resonate with me because I lived that and they’re such important, beautiful memories that make up my story.
Q: How have the obstacles you’ve encountered throughout your career shaped you today?
A: I’ve been through a lot of obstacles. You just have to keep going. That’s something that I realized: no matter what the obstacle was, it would be hard. I realized that because of the obstacles I had in my career, I could help the future generation even on my climb up. All those obstacles, all the hardships, all the keep-showing-up, turned into me helping others with their obstacles, so it doesn’t have to be as difficult for them.
Q: Working in the music industry, you’re often faced with outside pressure. How do you stay true to your authentic self?
A: I didn’t always stay true to my authentic self, to be honest. It’s natural, especially for women. We’re people pleasers and we want to do everything we can just to be accepted. I existed for a long time not being true to my authentic self. There was a shift; there was a change. I have a really amazing husband who helped me learn who I am and embrace that. One day, it just switched. It was a flip when I talked to him. I asked him, “Why isn’t country music working for me?” He said, “Because you’re running away from everything that makes you different.” In that conversation, that was my switch. I will never not be true to who I am ever again. I mean, I still fight obstacles, as we all do. But you are enough, you are absolutely enough, and it took trial and error for me to get to that point.
Q: Explain any appreciation you have for agriculture.
A: Agriculture keeps the world turning. I have so much admiration for people that want to be in that line of work. People that give their life to that service, I think that is a special kind of a person who does that. I admire people that do that so much, I really do. To see how young everybody is and how eager they are to be a part of this, I think is just so beautiful.
Q: What advice would you give FFA members if they don’t know where to start in accomplishing their goals?
A: I think the first step is knowing what that goal is. That’s something that’s always important, and to keep your eye on that goal. Even if you fail, which you will, that’s just what life is about, you’re going to fail. As long as you keep showing up and keep trying, and if you fail, switch it up and try again. There’s nothing wrong with that. My advice would be don’t be afraid of failure no matter how hard it is.
Q: As leaders, how should FFA members use their strengths to create a positive future?
A: I think one of the biggest opportunities that can be missed is doing right by the people that work with you, that work for you. Often when you get to the height of your career, you’re scared someone’s going to take your spot. They will, that’s just the course of what life is, but don’t be afraid of that. What is for you, nobody will ever take from you. It costs nothing to lift up other people and give them opportunities.
