There’s something special about an artist who never forgets where they come from. For Makenzie Phipps, that place is Bluefield, Virginia. A town that recently honored her with the Key to the Town, an Outstanding Citizen Award, and even a day in her name. From hometown stages to national television on The Voice, and now with her latest release “Whiskey Kills Time,” Phipps is building something that feels both grounded and quietly powerful.
I caught up with Makenzie for a Fast Tracks conversation, and what stood out right away was not just her voice, but her perspective.
A Hometown That Still Shapes Her
When asked what it felt like to be recognized in such a big way back home, Makenzie didn’t hesitate.
“It was just absolutely insane,” she said. “They’ve always known me as the little girl with the big voice. To still have that support and be recognized like that… it means the world to me.”
Bluefield is not just where she’s from. It is part of her identity.
“It’s one of those places where everybody knows everybody. We’ve got the Appalachian Mountains, all four seasons… and if it gets above 90, they pass out free lemonade,” she laughed. “It never happens, but it’s a tradition.”
That kind of upbringing does not fade when you move to Nashville.
“I could never forget where I came from. That’s what shaped me. What you see with me is what you get, 24/7.”
The Moment It Became Real
Makenzie has been chasing this dream since she was 14, auditioning and pushing forward year after year. But it was The Voice that shifted everything.
“Making it to the coaches… that’s when it hit me. Like, wow, things are really starting to move.”
Her time on Team Snoop left a mark that goes beyond the stage.
“He was all about uplifting each other. We weren’t competing, we were coming together. That’s something I think this industry needs more of.”
Closing a Chapter with Whiskey Kills Time
Her latest single, “Whiskey Kills Time,” is more than just a release. It is a transition.
“I had recorded it back in 2022, and I just couldn’t let it sit anymore,” she said. “It was too good of a song.”
The track now lives within her Pick Your Poison collection, a project that intentionally brings together her alcohol-themed songs.
And then, she made a decision.
“This is kind of the end of that chapter for me. I want to branch out. There’s so much more to write about.”
That next chapter is already taking shape.
“I’ve got a new song coming soon. It’s one of my longest, a real story song. You can’t cut it down without losing the heart of it.”
Owning Her Sound
Makenzie is not trying to over-polish who she is, and that might be part of what makes her so compelling.
In a rapid fire moment, she described her sound in one word:
“Redneck.”
It was said with a smile, but it landed with honesty. I told her she still carries a polished delivery, and she agreed, but there is a down home edge to what she is building. And from the way she talks about her upcoming music, that edge may become even more front and center.
Grounded in Faith, Focused on What’s Ahead
Even with growing attention and a fan base that continues to expand, Makenzie stays grounded in something deeper.
“I just take it day by day and leave everything in God’s hands,” she said. “If I become a household name, that would be amazing. But if I can keep doing what I love and sharing my music, that’s enough too.”
It is a mindset that feels steady in an industry that often is not.
Fast Tracks: Rapid Fire
Dream duet: “Ashley McBryde, easy.”
One word to describe your sound: “Redneck.”
Biggest pinch me moment: “The Voice. Getting that email that I was going to California… unreal.”
What’s Next
Makenzie Phipps is stepping into a new chapter, one that moves beyond familiar themes and leans into deeper storytelling and a stronger sense of identity.
“I’ve got some amazing projects coming in 2026,” she said. “I can’t wait to share them.”
And if this conversation is any indication, she will do it the same way she always has. With authenticity, faith, and a clear connection to the place that started it all.
Learn more at https://www.makenziephipps.com/