ON THE BILLBOARD

Alyssa Ruffin

Alyssa Ruffin is an international, multi-awardwinning, genre bending Recording Artist, and Singer-Songwriter. She was born in Mason City, Iowa where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Boppers plane crashed "The Day Music Died", and later moved to Denver, Colorado. She is a proud Military wife, and Mission 22 Ambassador, advocating for Veteran Suicide prevention, awareness, and treatment programs for Military Veterans and their families. Alyssa is also an advocate for Female Empowerment, Mental Health, Childhood Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, and Domestic Violence. She is currently based out of Prattville, Alabama, and working on music in Nashville, Tennessee.

Q & A

What made you get into music?

My mom was my first musical inspiration. She was always singing and playing guitar. When I was little, she was in a singing competition and made it to the finals in Nashville, Tennessee. When she returned home, I watched the competition back with her. There was a little girl in the competition and although I was always inspired by my mom, seeing that little girl on the same stage as my mom was the extra inspiration I needed to get started. That day, I told my mom I wanted to sing.

From that moment on, she took me along to all of her gigs, band practice, karaoke, and eventually put me into every singing competition she could find. She had me performing at fairs, festivals, talent shows, anything she could find. When I was 9 years old, she took me to my first concert. We saw Wynonna Judd. My mom distracted security and I hopped on stage to slip Wynonna my moms demo. Wynonna put her hand on her hip and said, got on her microphone and said “What can I do for you honey?” She held the mic near my mouth and I replied “let me sing”. Of course she didn’t take me seriously but the sound of that sold out coliseum roaring stayed with me all of these years. It was a life changing moment for me. Shortly after, I performed with my mom at the Buddy Holly Anniversary Memorial Event in Clear Lake, Iowa. We performed for the Legendary Buddy Holly’s wife, Maria Holly. Maria hugged me that night, and told me to never stop singing.

How would you describe the sound of your music?

I have an eclectic taste in music and that reflects in my music and singing style. I would describe it as guitar driven Country meets R&B, with a hint of Pop, Rock, and Blues.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from everything. I have been inspired by people, memories, real life experiences, friends, artists, noises I hear driving down the road, personal trauma. As far as artists go, I was first inspired by my mother. Shortly after I was fascinated with Mariah Carey and Trisha Yearwood. Later on it was Shania Twain and Christina Aguilera, Miranda Lambert and Pink. I have always been a radio channel flipper and listened to various genres and artists, primarily Country, Pop, Rock and R&B, which reflects in my music.

What would you say is your greatest accomplishment yet?

I have so many major accomplishments to be proud of, it’s hard to narrow it down to one. I recently won “Country Voice of the Year” at the 2022 International Fair Play Country Music - Red Carpet Awards Show in Holland, representing the United States, and received 4 nominations total. I won the “Vocalist of the Year” in the Modern Country Category at the 2021 Josie Music Awards. I have 9 total JMA Nominations. I am a part of the 1.8% to receive a nomination out of 52,442 submissions at the 2022 Josie Music Awards. I’m nominated in five categories including Artist of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter Achievement, and Stage Fashion Trailblazer.

I opened for Country Music Group Sawyer Brown performing for 30,000+ patrons, Country Music Group Confederate Railroad performing for 10,000+, Billboard Chart-topping Rock band Hinder, J.R. Richards of Dishwalla, Hip-Hop Artist Coolio, and Award-winning Rock band Firehouse. I’ve had the honor of performing with the former lead guitarist of Wilson Pickett, and Legendary Musician - David Panzer, and performed in the Global Green "Music For The Planet" benefit concert along with Grammy Award-winner Lisa Loeb, Paula Cole, Taylor Dayne, Jody Watley, Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls, and Vanessa Bell-Armstrong.

Where would you like to be in 5 years?

I would love to become a member of the Recording Academy, Academy of Country Music, and perform overseas. I would truly love to perform on a USO tour, or some type of Military tour to perform for our troops.

What is your favorite quote and why?

She is clothed with strength anddignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. - Proverbs 31:25-27

Follow Alyssa Ruffin

linktr.ee/alyssaruffin alyssaruffin.com

PHOTOGRAPHER: TR Photography - Ogden, IA