We know you two fabulous ladies met at Tootsies, but tell us about how ‘Dairy Daughters’ duo was formed. Who approached who with the idea?
The idea was mutual. The duo basically formed itself. We had been playing shows and writing songs together for years, and people kept asking us what our band name was. It finally made sense to come up with a name and run with it. We both grew up on dairy farms! Its something unique we have in common so when choosing a name we decided to go with something real, Dairy Daughters!
How would you describe the sound of ‘Dairy Daughters?’
Dairy Daughters blends a sound of sisterly harmony, the acoustic strings and warm fiddle with broken down, feel good, back porchy songs. We try to keep them relatable so they ring true to our morals and who we are. Our sound is inspired by the vocal tones of Patty Loveless and classic melodies of George Strait. We call it easy listening grass fed organic country gold!
So how did you each get into music? Was there always music playing around the house and in the kitchen growing up?
Megan- I started playing piano at the age of 6 years old. One of my teachers had a recital where her three daughters performed playing the violin, and that’s when I fell in love with the instrument. I started playing violin at around the age of 9 years old. Music always filled the house and on the farm. There was music always playing on the radio, from the house to the barn to the sheds.
Shelby- I come from a very musical family. My dad is a music man and was always playing music in the kitchen at the house or playing in the local bands and bluegrass festivals. I would sing with him or sit in with his band, but my first performance in front of a crowd was when I was about 7 in church. I taught myself how to play guitar when I was 18, started writing songs and learning covers and the rest is history!
You both have played with mega talented artists, who would you say are your musical influences?
Our influences range from George Strait, Patty Loveless, Lee Ann Womack, Shenandoah, Don Williams, Blackhawk, Little Texas, Kathy Mattea, etc.
Megan, what is it that you love most about writing music?
What I love about writing music is being able to share my own stories. It is so rewarding to have someone relate to a personal story of mine.
Shelby, what pushed you to try out for American Idol?
My Aunt pushed me to audition. After I graduated high school that summer, she cut out the news paper article of auditions coming to Florida and posted it on the fridge.
Shelby, do you feel like, no matter what happens, American Idol has positively impacted your career?
Yes. No matter what happens, I feel American Idol has had a positive impact on me and my career. It taught me a lot about myself and was a great platform.
If we turned on your iPod/music device, what would be playing?
Anything from 90’s country radio to 80’s Alternative to Oldies like the Beatles but always George Strait or Patty Loveless.
Where do you like to hang out in Nashville?
Bobby’s Idle Hour, Music Valley (Scoreboard & the Palace)
Being a Nashvillian for a few years now, what are some of your favorite dishes and where are the best places to find them?
We love sushi, so Nama is a favorite for sushi cravings. Jack Brown’s beer and burger joint in Germantown and the Danny Laruso burger is a must try! 312 pizza company or Desano’s for pizza! Josephine’s on 12 South or The Southern for classic meals and more of a romantic setting.
Is there a place you haven’t ate you have been dying to go?
The Pharmacy Burgers and Beer Garden
Lightning Round: Ok, let’s talk about a few of your favorites in Nashville.
Favorite place for date night: Patterson House
Favorite neighborhood hang: Bobby’s Idle Hour or Browns Diner
Favorite touristy place in Nashville: Ryman Auditorium
Hot Chicken: Prince’s Hot Chicken
Honky Tonk: Whiskey Bent or Robert’s Western Wear
Breakfast: First Watch
What can fans expect from you in 2018?
We are super excited to see what this year brings! We just put out our first single at the end of 2017, called “Tomboy.” Check it out here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tomboy-single/1319367266
Fans can expect more new music from us! We have a lot of songs no one has ever heard and we can’t wait to get in the studio to make a full EP. Besides playing more local shows here in Nashville, they can also expect to see us out on the road playing shows in Florida, Wisconsin & Minnesota coming up soon! Check out “Bands in Town” on our Facebook page for new and added listings!
About Dairy Daughters:
Raised on dairy farms and country music, Shelby Dressel and Megan Gertken form the Nashville-based country duo, the Dairy Daughters. Shelby grew up in Avon FL and was a Top 40s finalist from season 9 of American Idol. This led to a performance on Ellen. Originally from Albany MN, Megan Gertken has played the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and performed across the US, Canada and Europe during the 2013 America’s Got Talent tour. They met in Nashville, onstage at the world famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. The Dairy Daughters portray their view of life, love and self image, with sisterly harmony and simple truth. Relatable stories that ring true to their morals with endearing lyrics. They draw inspiration from the vocal bluegrass tones of Patty Loveless and classic melodies of George Strait. “A holy pair of jeans is my kind of dress. I throw on a hat, leave my hair in a mess…” Though that line is taken from their new single, ‘Tomboy,” you’d never guess it from looking at these two beautiful ladies. The Dairy Daughters spin a tale of country music that hasn’t come out of your radio in a while. And that country is Grassfed!
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