Photo credit: Stefanie Lee Johnson
Huntington Beach, CA-based classic country singer-songwriter Victoria Bailey released a brand new single, “Queen of the Rodeo,” via Rock Ridge Music. “Queen of the Rodeo” is the first single from her forthcoming album, due out in late spring of 2022. Picking up right where her recent releases have left off musically, “Queen of the Rodeo” is a nod to classic country music and rodeo culture, shining a light on the rodeo queen, the glittery ambassador of the much-beloved sport. The song premiered on September 22nd at Cowboys & Indians. A video for the track, featuring a real rodeo queen, premiered at CMT this month!
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
Hi Mundane Mag! I am Victoria Bailey, a country artist from Orange County, California. I released my first record last year, “Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline,” and I am getting ready to release a second one next year. I also have a new single out, “Queen of the Rodeo,” and I can’t wait to share more about it!
What is the favorite song you wrote and why?
My favorite song I have written is called “Honky Tonk Woman.” I really feel that this song will always be my favorite to play with my bandmates/friends because it really was the start to such a big milestone in my life. It is the first track off my first record, “Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline,” and it is really the anthem to me about singing and growing as a musician in the honky tonk bar rooms in my hometown.
Who are your all time musical icons?
Forever THE country queens, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton. They play such a big influence on my music, and who I want to be as a person. They also have made such an impact on country music as a whole and carved a really great path for women in this industry. I also really love Carole King; she was always playing in my home on the record player growing up. And I love Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.
What are some things to do to keep your inspiration alive?
Traveling, reading, praying, meeting new people and hearing their stories, and doing my best to share my own stories through my songs. I started riding horses in the past few years and now own a mustang named Weasley. A lot of ideas and lyrics come to me when I’m with him out on trail and looking out over the valley.
Who are you binge listening to these days?
I’ve been really into Natalie Bergman’s gospel record “Mercy” and listened to it a few times through the other night. It’s really powerful and so needed in the rollercoaster world we’re all living in at the moment. I also can never get enough of The Highwomen record and Brandi Carlile.
Do you think this release represents you the most out of your whole catalogue?
I would say this song, “Queen of the Rodeo,” is more just a piece of my heart and my admiration of strong, inspiring cowgirls. It definitely represents what my next record will feel like, and I’m really proud of how my band brought this one to life.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
The song blossomed from me running into a real life Rodeo Queen at the airport, and I was so star-struck, ha ha. I thought she was the absolute coolest and knew right then and there I wanted to write a song about her and the rodeo in general. It was so fun to write and to dive in deep to the history of the rodeo and to give a nod to all the rodeo queens.
What are some major milestones you’d like to accomplish in your career?
I just released a sneak peek of my upcoming record, a song called “Queen of the Rodeo.” There is also a music video piece that stars the California Queen herself, Morgan Laughlin. Making this next record is definitely a milestone I am looking forward to accomplishing, as well as touring and playing these songs live. My ultimate dream would be to one day play on the Opry stage. There is so much history in that space, and all of my heroes have stood on that marker behind the mic. Success in music to me would be just to be able to play my songs around the world and to share my music with new faces and to continue what I love doing the most.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Playing music and riding horses and continuing to travel and teach (I am a preschool teacher, which is a big piece of my heart).
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
I’ve always been drawn to vintage pieces that tell a story. I love picturing where that piece has been before me, and the life and adventures it has already been on. My style is very much a mixture of cowgirl Barbie, flower prairie dresses, and sometimes I just like to keep it classic like Bruce Springsteen vibes, ha ha.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
I think putting out my first record, “Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline,” is my most proud moment in my career. I poured a lot of years and time and love into that record surrounded by people who really care about my music and brought the songs to life. It is something I will always cherish.
What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?
It may sound cliched, but I really do believe staying true to yourself is the only way you’re going to continue loving what you do and to continue to stay passionate about it. I’ve learned so much from that, and feel like the work I put out feels 100% true to my heart.
What would you change in the music and entertainment industry especially after this past year?
This year has been a whirlwind for everyone. My biggest wish is that we can safely return to just feeling good at shows and traveling. Playing my songs and meeting new people is such a big part of what I do, and I’m so grateful that this has returned in some capacity.
