Dani LaCour Learns to “Keep Your Aim” After Hectic Year

What a year it has been for Louisiana native Dani LaCour.

Over the course of the last 12 months, LaCour signed with Red Barn Music, auditioned for and made it into the top 70 of American Idol (while six months pregnant), and more recently, released her debut single, “Keep Your Aim” on June 13.

Read along as LaCour puts that journey into her own words and what she has planned for the future!

Pro Country: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Dani LaCour: Kelly Clarkson, Aerosmith, Carrie Underwood!

PC: Was there a specific moment you knew you wanted to pursue music as a career?

DL: Not really a specific moment, but my dad and I always did karaoke, and I guess feedback from other helped me realize that it’s worth a shot to try it if it’s what you dream of doing!

PC: What did it mean to you to win the Nash Next competition in 2018? Did that provide you with a certain level of artistic validation as you were preparing to release music for the first time?

DL: It meant a lot, because the year before, I didn’t even place, so I went into it thinking, “Okay, I’ve GOT to do better than last year.” I was standing up there while they announced the top 3 places. I thought I didn’t place again actually, so it came to a surprise to me. I was super humbled and grateful.

PC: How did the opportunity to be a part of American Idol happen?

DL: I tried out in New Orleans when I was 5-6 months pregnant at an open call, really not counting on making it [laughs]. It was just for the experience, but I ended up making it to the top 70 out of thousands who auditioned!

PC: As a performer, what is it like to perform in front of artists with the collective success of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan?

DL: It was really cool. I think cool is the perfect word, because they don’t make a big deal about it. They’re very down to earth and supportive.

PC: What was the biggest thing you took away from your American Idol experience?

DL: You can do anything you put your mind to, especially if you’re 6 months pregnant and want to try out for American idol [laughs]. Really though, just how many talented people there are in the world. Once you get the idea of who the best you’ve ever heard is, you hear someone 30 times better. It’s just wild. I’d recommend the experience to everyone.

PC: What emotions were you feeling as you were preparing to release music for the first time with “Keep Your Aim”? Can you talk about the inspiration behind it?

DL: I’m really not an emotional musician in the sense of sometimes songs just randomly come to me, and this was one of them! I couldn’t sleep one night and sat on my couch watching CMT music videos. At 4:40am, I wrote “Keep Your Aim” and another song in about 2 hours.

PC: How did the opportunity to sign with Red Barn Music come to you?

DL: I’ve known about Red Barn Music for a while, and I finally got to meet the man behind the name, and we decided to link up and here we are! I’m super thankful!

PC: What are your plans for the rest of 2019 and beyond?

DL: I’m gonna come out with a couple more singles, get my band playing more venues, and just see where it takes me!