In 2017 Casi Joy brought the house down with an amazing performance of “Blue” for her audition on The Voice that earned her a four chair turn. Since then, the Missouri native continues to make her childhood dreams of being a country singer come true. Her debut EP The Bright Side debuted at No. 19 on iTunes Country Charts in 2019, and has released two singles so far this year – “The Money” in March and “Namaste” just last week (5/14).
We recently caught up with Casi to talk about her music journey, her experience on The Voice and those new tunes.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
CJ: Hey! My name is Casi Joy, and I’m originally from Smithville, Missouri (just outside Kansas City), but have been living in Nashville the past almost 6 years! I’ve been singing since I was five years old, and professionally since I was ten, so music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember! I began my music career in the country opry circuit singing classic country music, but have also spent time in pop and rock, so my sound is pretty eclectic!
CN: As we’ve hit the one-year mark of COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
CJ: I am grateful to say that, yes, everyone in my circle is healthy! The pandemic was definitely tough to get through in the beginning. Lockdown forced a slowdown that I think I needed though. I needed to be writing more music, and constantly touring definitely distracted me from that a little. Since having that break to really focus, I’m ready to release more music than ever this year!
CN: You were signed to Radio Disney at the age of 14 and had the opportunity to record at the legendary RCA Studios. At what age did you realize that you wanted to pursue music as a career?
CJ: My first performance was when I was five years old, and since then, I haven’t wanted to leave the stage. My parents aren’t musical, and would never get up on stage, so when I asked them if I could perform in the local talent show, they were definitely shocked! I also wasn’t terribly good at that time, but my love for performing and being on stage was enough for me to practice non-stop in the basement, singing my brains out, until I figured it all out. My parents have been a huge part of my career since day one and took me to Nashville when I was twelve to record a three-song CD at RCA Studios. I was still performing in the opry circuit until the Radio Disney opportunity happened! So short story long (ha!), I’ve wanted to do this my whole life. There’s something that’s always called me to the stage, and behind a microphone. It’s where I truly feel like I can be myself.
CN: Which artists have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
CJ: I’m definitely influenced by the classics like Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Tanya Tucker, and Connie Francis. But I listen to all genres of music from hip-hop to jazz, because I always want to be inspired from every direction. I totally get down on some Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish!
CN: Four years ago you had earned a four chair turn during your blind audition on NBC’s The Voice, and if that wasn’t impressive enough, Rolling Stone noted your incredible performance of “Blue” was one of the top 10 best blind auditions of all time. What was going through your mind during that audition?
CJ: The Voice was such a dream come true, and an experience I’ll cherish forever. The blind audition was definitely the most nerve-wracking part, since this is the first time you’re seen on TV, seeing the coaches, and seeing where you fit in if at all. What kept me grounded, was being able to walk onto that stage and see my family (whom I hadn’t seen in a month) on the other side. They’ve been such a key part of my career and had never missed a show, so seeing them encouraged me to go up there and just put on a show like any other day. When all four coaches turned around, it was the absolute most validating, confusing, and exciting moment of my life! I am constantly chasing that feeling, which pushes me to get to a bigger stage every time.
CN: What lessons did you take with you after your time on the show? Any specific advice from coach Blake Shelton?
CJ: I learned soooo much on the show! What most people don’t know, is that you get actual vocal coaches, choreographers, media training, the works! That experience really helped me to solidify my brand as an artist, and also REALLY helped me with some vocal issues I’d been having. I had never really taken vocal lessons seriously, but my coach on the show (Tamara Beaty) changed my life! I still use the vocal warmup she made specifically for me! Blake also gave me a ton of great advice as far as live performances go. Since I’m used to playing long, 4 hour shows, Blake could tell that I had some habits to save my voice that I didn’t necessarily need to be using for a one-song performance on the show. When I got to work with Luke Bryan for the battles, he also noticed some other habits that I hadn’t! For almost all of my regular shows, I’m on a raised stage with the crowd below me, so I’m used to performing down to them. However, with the gigantic crowd for The Voice, Luke told me not to be afraid to stand up tall and perform UP! I guess he knows a little something about performing! ha
CN: On March 19th you released your new single “The Money,” a catchy track that wonderfully showcases your vocals and talks about a universal topic –money, or a lack thereof. Can you share the story behind the inspiration behind this song?
CJ: The inspiration for this song was completely autobiographical. I was behind on bills, robbing Peter to pay Paul. I was telling my husband, I seriously don’t care about money. I just want enough for it to not be all about the money. I think we can all relate there! We’re supposed to believe that there’s more to life than money, but when you don’t have enough to get by, pretty much every single thought you have is about the dang money!
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process?
CJ: I write songs differently every time. Sometimes, a melody will pop into my head, and I’ll hum/mumble through it while words sporadically pop out. Other times, the lyrics come first, which is actually my least favorite. If the lyrics come first, I will seriously write like 15 different melodies, and usually end up bringing a co-writer in to help me decide which one to go with! The other way I write is with a chord progression, drum loop, or piano riff first; whatever instrument I’m into at the time! I really like writing this way, because getting the music going first really inspires the vibe of the song and what/how it makes me feel. Then, the mumbling begins! Sometimes, my songs are written in 30 minutes, and other times, I’ll sit on a chorus for like a year. Ya never know!
CN: Is there a music video for the single?
CJ: Yes! The music video for “The Money” is available everywhere, and I had such a blast making it! My director Michael Martin allowed me to fully embrace my weirdness, and I’m so happy with how it turned out! I also just released my newest single “Namaste,” and that music video will be releasing June 3rd! It’s equally as hilarious!
CN: You are involved in several charities, including Craig Morgan Foundation for foster children, Autism Speaks, Pediatric Cancer Research, Children’s Mercy, Noah’s Bandage Project, Team Smile, Big Slick KC, Animal Justice League of America, Northland Animal Welfare, American Cancer Society, and Suicide Prevention. How important is it to you to dedicate time to others, and our furry friends?
CJ: Being in this industry, and somewhat of an influencer, I feel that it’s my duty to give back. I am so so lucky to be able to do what I love every day, but there are so many out there who are suffering and don’t have a voice. Since I have this platform, I want to use it to spread joy in any way that I can. Children and animal welfare have always been causes I fight for, and will continue to use the mic to be the voice for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
CJ: Oh man, how long can my list be?! I would definitely say Taylor Swift is at the top of my list! Her songwriting abilities are truly out of this world, and I can’t imagine even being in the room to witness the magic! I’d also love to collaborate with Tanya Tucker or Brenda Lee! I grew up singing their music, and being so inspired by their success at such a young age. Oh, and also The Judds! The list goes on and on!
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
CJ: I am proud to announce that my first concert was Nsync! The production, choreography, magnetic energy of the crowd, and the way the guys had them hanging on every word, had me hooked! I will also never forget how heartbroken I was when Justin Timberlake didn’t pick me in the crowd to be the girl he sings to on stage. How did he not see me in the very last row?! Maybe it was the blue eyeshadow…
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
CJ: I would probably have to go with “unsinkable!” My father-in-law has always called me “the unsinkable Casi Joy,” and that’s really started to resonate deeply with me over the past few years. I’ve been singing professionally, and actively pursuing this dream since I was ten, so I’ve heard A LOT of no’s. Though I have seen some success, I’m basically a professional failure if you look at the ratio of no’s to yes’s I’ve gotten! But I’ve never gotten a rejection and thought, “whelp, maybe this just isn’t what I’m supposed to do.” That thought has never even crossed my mind because every door closed on me is an opportunity to learn and do it differently the next time. Every failure brings on a new strength and level of resilience that has become one of my superpowers! That came in handy when the pandemic hit, and I had to find/create a new path to be able to do what I was put on this earth for. So, since my husband Bryan and I had just purchased our tour bus right before the pandemic (hilarious, I know), once lockdown was over, we created a campground tour! The camping industry was BOOMING with traditional establishments being at limited capacity, so we took a non-traditional approach, and built that into a tour! There’s nothing that will keep me from the stage, even if it’s a little concrete slab.
CN: You have some dates coming up in 2021 – how excited are you to perform live again! Where can fans find you either at the show or online?
CJ: I am so excited to be playing real shows again! Performing live is what really fulfills me because it’s when I feel like I have full permission to be myself. I loooove meet and greets, and connecting with fans, and I can’t wait to get back to that! I have tons of tour dates coming up, and you can find them all on my website www.CasiJoy.com! I also do Facebook Live concerts often, and you can find me on all socials at @CasiJoyMusic
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
CJ: Besides touring pretty much constantly, I’m going to be releasing a lot more music this year! I’ve been writing and spending as much time in the studio as possible when we aren’t on the road, and I can’t wait to share what else I’ve been working on! Stay tuned!
For more information on Casi Joy, visit her website at www.casijoy.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.