by Dan Reifsnyder, GSC Reporter
Dan Reifsnyder: So tell me how you got started in music!
Lexi Peto: I started in music very young – my dad taught me to play guitar at age seven, and my mom was a huge influence on my musicality. She exposed me to everything from the Chili Peppers to Mariah Carey. Collective Soul was a huge influence on me. Then my step dad entered my life and he introduced me to Rascal Flatts and I fell in love with country music. Even though I had kind of fiddled around with it before, I started taking songwriting really seriously at age twelve. I started keeping a song journal and playing open mics in the eighth grade and my mom was really supportive of it. When I found out about Nashville I was like “Wow, I’ve got to get there!” Then, unfortunately my mom passed away when I was fourteen. It was a really difficult time for my family, but I have really been blessed through my faith – I’m very strong in my faith – and my mom’s passing steered me even more towards music. The Lord took that hardship and made that into something beautiful. My dad and my step dad became best friends, and I told them that I wanted to go to Nashville. So they actually brought me here together! I was here for two years before enrolling at Belmont. I miss my mom every day but my dad and my stepdad have taken on raising me up in this industry together.
DR: What was the first thing you did when you came to town?
LP: I just wanted to play! I looked up all the places and went to every open mic I could! I did the Bluebird – way back before they did the call in system and you had to get tickets! It was part of the experience…and here I am!
DR: Are you working on any projects right now?
LP: I have a couple albums out, which are up on iTunes and Spotify, and my goal before graduation is a pub deal! I don’t know if it’ll happen, but I’m gonna aim for it. Just writing the best songs I can and spreading the love of the Lord. I’m thinking of releasing a single sometime soon too.
DR: How would you describe your musical style?
LP: I consider myself an artist/writer. Although I started out in pop country, I’ve lately felt called to be more in the CCM field. My stuff is definitely more lyric driven too. I not only write for myself, but write for other artists – pop, country, and Christian, and any combination of the three! I describe myself as Country-Pop-Christian. I incorporate Christian values into my music, but with Country Pop. It’s kind of my own thing!
DR: Interesting! So what are some songs you wish you had written?
LP: Oh, right off the bat would be “The House That Built Me”. That song just kills me! I actually got to meet Tom Douglas and shake his hand, which was such an honor! He really knows the craft, and I really respect that. So obviously that song. I love Collective Soul – my ultimate favorite is “Needs”. I wish I’d written that. “Drive Your Truck”…”I Hope You Dance”. My mom sang me to sleep with the song “Butterfly” by Mariah Carey, so I love that one too. I love anything by Bethel and Hillsong!
DR: So how are you liking Belmont?
LP: I love it! I can’t speak more highly of the songwriting program! It’s so tight knit! It’s almost like a little community within a community. We all support each other.
DR: How did you hear about GSC?
LP: Well, actually I’m a new member to GSC. Chad Hamilton, my producer, has been trying to get me to get involved for a long time. Now that I joined I’m like “Why didn’t I do this sooner!?” I’m so glad to be a part of it. I’ve done a mentoring session with Sheree and she is just a sweetheart! She’s such a strong supporter.
DR: I agree. She’s such a strong supporter of songwriters…I don’t know anybody that works as hard as she does! Well…I think that’s all the time we have, but I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
LP: Thanks!
