“We (as entertainers) are the medicine for feelings.
The things you cannot fix which are inoperable—you go to music,”
– Baylee Littrell on what it really means to have the gift of music.
Baylee Littrell is no stranger to the world of entertainment. His mom, Leighanne, is an actress and producer and his dad, Brian, is a member of the Backstreet Boys, who are still selling out arenas and recording music twenty years after rising to stardom. So, it’s no surprise that the 17 year old protegee is pursuing music as a career, although if you ask him, he has never once felt pressure from his industry parents. In fact, they are right beside him, encouraging him to do what his heart desires. And if you get the chance to hang around the Littrell family, it’s all about laughter, love, and dedication to the craft. We know because we got the chance to catch up with the Littrell’s at Soundcheck Studios on a cold, rainy February Nashville day ahead of Baylee’s Whiskey Jam debut.
For those unfamiliar with Nashville traditions, Winners Bar in Midtown is the place to be on Monday and Thursday nights for the prestigious musical event, especially for up and coming artists. Baylee was nothing less than phenomenal, commanding the intimate stage with tight vocals and a down to earth, relaxed vibe. He may have had black X’s on his hands to account for not yet being legal, but Baylee has every bit the poise and professionalism of a twenty something who knows what they were born to do. The shoulder to shoulder audience rocked, swayed, and kept their focus on Baylee, which doesn’t always happen in a loud, social jam of that nature. Baylee performed four songs with a few band members, all off his new album, 770-Country, which came out November 15th. The 13 song project includes songwriting and production from some of Nashville’s current key players—-Corey Crowder, Seth Ennis, Steven Lee Olsen, and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, just to name a few. “Don’t Knock It”, released in November 2018, received heavy rotation at Sirius XM’s Influential Country Station and was played on both CMT and Nickelodeon. For that video, click here. And now, Baylee is super excited for the push on his latest single, “Boxes” — an infectious and romantic melody, perfect for any stage of a relationship.
“You check all my boxes 1 to 22 you got it
Going down my list it’s obvious you’re what I wanted
Take me out of the game, check, please
Like baby you were made for me
What else can I say, yeah, girl you’re flawless
You check all my boxes”
In fact, Baylee was in the studio last week when we interviewed him, working on a more stripped down, acoustic version of that song, to be released to mainstream country radio. If that news alone doesn’t have you jumping up and down in the middle of the room, “Boxes” is also getting a vinyl press. That was thought to be happening just down the street in another location when we were talking to Baylee in Soundcheck rehearsal space.
So, with the new single going to country radio and Baylee’s obsession with guitars — his Gibson J-45 for instance — we had to know what made him follow the country route instead of pop, like most people would expect, given his background. Baylee’s response was both profound and surprising.
“I feel like people kind of assume that I wanted to get away from something or be different (in not doing pop). But if you’re doing music, you’re having to be yourself. You’re expressing yourself. So, when you’re putting just you out there, it’s not an acting gig. It’s not theatre. You’re not pretending to be someone else—you’re putting it all on the line yourself. Country music seemed to make the most sense to me because I grew up in Georgia. My grandparents played country music for me constantly – so it was Merle Haggard, George Jones, George Strait! What I want to do eventually one day is re-record “Silver Wings—”
Wait. Wait. Wait. Go read that again. The 17 year son of a pop star grows up on Haggard and Jones and wants to rerecord one of the greatest Haggard songs of all time? This kid is the REAL DEAL and we need this done pronto. Alright Baylee, continue.
“I love, love country. So being able to accomplish that and be in the modern country movement right now is crazy, especially with “Boxes.”
And if one of our good friends wants to throw him on their country tour in 2020, he’s already got touring experience down pat! This past summer, while his friends were working part time jobs or hanging out by the lake, Baylee was on the road, learning from the group of guys who helped raise him. He joined his dad for the North American leg of the widely successful Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour. Schedules full of rehearsals, media days, and meet and greets on top of shows can leave little time for “days off”. But the explorer in Baylee made it work every chance he got, especially in his favorite spot north of the border.
“It started in Canada— I love Canada. I got a rest day in Ottawa and I was so energized and everybody else was tired. I made everybody get out,” Baylee remembers. “So, I was running around everywhere. Nobody could keep up with me. I was like, four years old all over again! It’s breathtaking up there—so if we have a chance to sightsee, we’re doing it!”
Well, it looks like Baylee will get to continue his adventures on the road in 2020, although we are still waiting for the exact list to roll out. We are hoping more Nashville plans are in the works — perhaps another CMA Fest appearance in June? Or Cherry Blossom festival in the spring? Whatever the case, the Georgia teen is stoked to share his music with his fans and continue to work toward his goals — and we are ecstatic to be included in that journey.
For more information, check out www.bayleelittrell.com and follow him on Twitter @littrell_baylee and Instagram @bayleelittrell_music.