If Britnee Kellogg takes country music star Taylor Swift’s advice, she won’t be staying in Vancouver much longer.
Kellogg recently met the musician after winning a Sing Like Taylor Swift radio contest. Now the call of Nashville is becoming even more powerful for Kellogg.
The 25-year-old single mother balances work at Nordstrom with a gig as a singer for the band 5 Guys Named Moe. But her dreams are bigger. Meeting Swift inspired Kellogg, and gave her a glimpse into a world she’s eager to join.
“She’s amazing,” Kellogg said of Swift. “The most genuine, nice person, and extremely humble. She’s incredible.”
Kellogg’s deft handling of the Swift song “Teardrops on My Guitar” resulted in a three-day trip to Nashville last month for her, her sister and a representative from Portland country station 99.5 The Wolf. There they visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, met with industry insiders and toured Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Studios.
The whirlwind adventure mixed business with pleasure. Right after she arrived, Kellogg connected with longtime friend Austin Cunningham to work on a couple songs. He’s written for artists including Wynonna Judd and Martina McBride, and Kellogg hopes to return to Nashville to finish and record the tunes she and Cunningham are collaborating on in March.
Kellogg first met Cunningham when she was in Nashville representing Washington in the Miss Teen America pageant at age 15. Kellogg was third runner-up overall, but perhaps more importantly to her, first runner-up in talent.
Kellogg spent 10 years on the pageant circuit, but her interest in performing began much earlier. She started singing at the age of 5 and never stopped.
“I did fairs, weddings, anything I could get my hands on to do,” she said.
At age 9, she landed her first major gig, singing the National Anthem at a Blazers game.
One of the first songs she ever performed was McEntire’s “Does He Love You,” so meeting Swift at McEntire’s recording studio was entering the orbit of an icon.
“I got to see Reba McEntire’s office. Her toothbrush was on the counter. She’s my idol. She’s absolutely the reason why I sing,” Kellogg said.
Swift was at Starstruck Studios recording her new album. Kellogg wasn’t able to hear Swift sing, but the star showed her around and offered advice on taking her career to the next level.
“She basically said I need to be in Nashville and just give it everything I have and never give up,” Kellogg said.
That was Kellogg’s plan after she graduated from Prairie High School, but instead she got married and had two children. Now a single mom, she’s ready to refocus on her career and channel the challenges she’s faced into her music.
“It’s just something that I feel like God gave me. It’s something I’m absolutely passionate about. Every time I sing, I go to a different place, and I don’t have to think about anything else,” she said.
While music helps Kellogg rise above, it’s her day-to-day struggles that could ultimately set her apart. Kellogg said Big Machine Records Chief Executive Officer Scott Borchetta told her that the difficult life experiences she’s endured will help differentiate her from other singers.
“He basically said there are tons of people with great voices but a lot of it is having something different to say,” she said.
To further distinguish herself, Borchetta recommended she dye her blonde hair darker so she doesn’t so closely resemble pop star and tabloid mainstay Britney Spears. Kellogg took his advice and now has auburn locks.
“I love it,” she said.
Kellogg recorded a demo in Nashville late last year, and she was able to play it for Borchetta during their meeting.
“They loved my music, so that was awesome,” she said.
Beyond the cosmetic tweak, Borchetta did have some other words of advice for Kellogg. He suggested she start taking guitar lessons and ramp up her songwriting and recording efforts. He also encouraged her to form a band, build up a fan base, then, echoing Swift’s counsel, relocate to Nashville.
Kellogg plans to act on those suggestions, things she already wanted to do. She’s thinking Brit Kellogg would be a good name for a band, and possibly a stage moniker for herself, as well.
Despite working full-time and raising her young children, Kellogg is committed to making her dream of being a professional singer a reality. The Nashville trip helped reinforce that her goals are within reach.
“It just totally encouraged me and made me want it that much more,” she said. “I definitely see myself as a Taylor Swift. I’d love to be at the Grammys. That would be amazing.”
Mary Ann Albright: maryann.albright@columbian.com, 360-735-4507.
