Last week, we were scrolling TikTok and came across a ranging, impressive cover of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” that was actively going viral by a young artist we’d never heard before. We immediately took to our streaming service of choice to see if she had any music available. Luckily, she did, and even luckier for us, there’s more on the way.
That artist, Sela Campbell, has laid a rock-solid foundation for what proves to be a long, fruitful career in country music. Prior to the release of her debut single, “One Track Mind,” earlier this year, Campbell wowed Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry, receiving a golden ticket to Hollywood on American Idol and nods of approval from each of the powerhouse artists.
On Friday, Campbell will add another notch to her musical belt with “Yellow Flowers,” a solo-written, classic country-inspired love song that has us excited for what the future holds for the Virginia native.
We chatted with Campbell about her musical dreams starting at an early age, her American Idol experience, “One Track Mind” and “Yellow Flowers” and more!
Pro Country: You’ve said in interviews that some of your fondest memories are sitting on the back porch with your family and listening to old school country music. Who are some of the artists you remember hearing that influenced you in those early years?
Sela Campbell: The biggest one I remember was Waylon Jennings. We also listened to Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. Hank Williams Jr. was another big one. Those big, household country names were big for me.
PC: You began taking guitar lessons at just five years-old and have been singing for most of your life. What was it about music and performing that struck you so early in your life?
SC: I really don’t know. Nobody in my family sings or plays guitar; we’re not a super musical family. Music has been something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was little. I always looked up to Dolly Parton a lot. The first song I learned on guitar was “Jolene” because I was obsessed with her. Dolly also sings and plays the guitar, so I wanted to be like Dolly and do that myself.
PC: With that early love and interest in music, when did you realize it was something you could actually pursue as a career?
SC: I had the realization that I could do it professionally when I was in middle school. I had started performing around my hometown, and I started posting things on social media, and they were getting a good reception. I realized music might be something I could do for a long time. When I started going out and performing bigger and bigger shows, I started thinking that it could be real.
PC: When you started performing professionally and sharing cover songs on social media, was it at all scary or nerve-wracking putting yourself out there like that for the first time?
SC: It definitely was. When I was in my pre-teen years, I would perform with no problem. I wouldn’t get stage fright, but I was worried about what the other kids at school would think of me and if I would be made fun of for pursuing this passion. I don’t know what it was, but when I hit 8th grade, there was a flipped switch where I didn’t care anymore. It was a journey for me to find my confidence with what I was doing, but once it happened, there was nothing that was in my way.
PC: Last year, you auditioned for and received a Golden Ticket on American Idol. What was it like standing in front of and singing for Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, and what did their belief in your talents mean to you?
SC: It was such a surreal moment. Lionel Richie is a living legend. All three of them are insanely talented and super successful. Getting to share my song and story with them was surreal. Hearing them compliment what I was doing and giving me praise for the work that I put in was very validating.
When I look back on the confidence issues as a pre-teen, I’m proud that I believed in myself and came out of my shell, because it never would have happened if I didn’t start being brave.
PC: You’ve said that you hadn’t considered auditioning for American Idol until your mom signed you up. What was the process of auditioning like and how do you look back on the experience?
SC: My mom found a Zoom link on Facebook and signed me up. She told me that she signed me up to audition for an American Idol producer. I just said, “Yeah, yeah,” and thought it would turn out to be nothing, because nobody ever thinks that they can do that and get the golden ticket. My audition was right before the first high school football game of the season. My plan was to audition and then run over to the game with my friends. The audition went really well! I auditioned for one producer, and they sent me to the next one, and they sent me to the top producers who get the final say if they’re going to send you to the judges. It basically took my whole afternoon. I missed the football game! Afterwards, I couldn’t believe what had happened. When they told me that they were sending me to audition in front of the judges, I just sat there thinking there was no way it was really happening. It was all on a whim, and it was amazing.
PC: In February, you released your debut single, “One Track Mind.” What emotions were you feeling as you were releasing music into the world for the first time?
SC: It was surreal. I am very new to songwriting. “One Track Mind” was my first song. I wrote it two years ago. “One Track Mind” is very important to me because it was really my way of getting my foot in the door with songwriting and overcoming that fear of people judging me for what I was writing about or thinking that my songs weren’t any good. That song was important because I was putting it out not just for people that knew me, but for everybody to hear. I was a little nervous because I had never put out music before, but once it was out and I started getting the great reception from it, it was very validating. It was good that I overcame the initial fear, and that made it easier to write more songs.
PC: You co-wrote “One Track Mind” with Juliana McDowell. Can you take us in the room and talk about how the song came together?
SC: I had been meeting up with Juliana and listening to her band play around town. We clicked because in my hometown, there’s not a ton of female representation in the music world. When I saw her, I was probably a freshman in high school, and I really clicked with her because I saw another girl who was doing the same thing that I was doing. She was so kind and gracious, and she kept asking if I had original music. I told her that I didn’t have anything to write about, because from my perspective, I was just a freshman in high school. I went to her house, and she said that we were going to write a song. She basically had me talk about my life and how I was so inspired by all those old country names, and how maybe I had missed out on normal high school experiences because I was pursuing music. I told her that my parents always joked that I had a one track mind because all I would focus on was music and school. She told me that was my song. We sat down and wrote the song, and after that, it was so much easier for me to write songs.
PC: Speaking of writing songs, you’ve announced on social media that you have a new single, “Yellow Flowers,” releasing on July 19th. What information, if any, can you give about “Yellow Flowers” and any more upcoming releases? What can listeners expect to hear?
SC: “Yellow Flowers” is the first song that I wrote completely on my own, and I’m really proud of that! It’s a classic country love song. It has that old country feel to it with pedal steel. I’m excited for the release! It has that sound that I’m trying to encapsulate.
Past that, I’m hoping to keep releasing more music! I’ve got a couple more original songs that I’m planning on recording.
PC: This week, your cover of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” went viral on TikTok, earning nearly two million views and 250,000 likes as we write this. What was it like to see the performance get legs and continue to reach people?
SC: It’s really cool! It’s interesting to see how far posting a video on social media can take you. That clip was from a rehearsal with my band. I took the video for fun to send to my friends, and I decided to post it on TikTok too. It’s crazy what the smallest little clip can do for you. It’s super cool!
PC: You’ve won a handful of awards in Loudon, Virginia over the last few years, including this year’s Best of Loudon competition. What do those awards and the support from your hometown mean to you at this early stage in your career?
SC: It means a lot! We have a really vibrant music community here, which is interesting, because I don’t think many people expect that. There is no shortage of live music here. A lot of these people really inspired me growing up and helped me with my music career, so it’s really validating to know that the people in my hometown, the people I look up to, voted me for these awards. It’s a special thing to know that the people in your hometown are in your corner.
PC: You have played hundreds of shows over the years and have several lined up through July and August. How much do you enjoy staying busy on stage and honing your craft in front of audiences?
SC: I love it. It’s the best part of my week. Just like any other job, it can be tiring, but I really love playing music for people. I love making people laugh, smile and dance. It’s the most important thing in my life. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. I’m really looking forward to these shows for the rest of the summer!
PC: With “Yellow Flowers” releasing new week, what else do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
SC: I’m going to be moving to Charlottesville in August, because I’ll be attending the University of Virginia. I’ve already got gigs lined up at the Jefferson Theater and some other pretty cool places down there. The plan is to keep doing what I’m doing down there. I’m looking forward to recording music, writing music and co-writing music. It should be a lot of fun!
Pro Country 
Love this interview! I learned a little more about Sela! We have been following her for around a year and a half. We try to see her when she is performing in our area! She is so good, humble and has an amazing talent. We could listen to her all day long. We live in Prince William County but plan to follow her to Charlottesville. She will make it big time for sure! We love you Sela Campbell. Keep up your passion.
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