Ava Poling has been on stage for as long as she can remember.
What started as a theater kid in local Wizard of Oz and Annie productions transitioned into aspirations of being a country artist after falling in love with The Chicks with her mom.
And though she always knew she wanted to be a performer and write songs, she initially wasn’t sure how she could make it a reality. The Ohio native set her sights on Nashville, and now three years removed from moving to Music City, Poling, with the help of countless writer’s rounds and songwriting sessions, finds herself as a confident artist ready to thrive.
The first taste of original music that Poling has offered comes in the form of her debut single, “Scared of the Dark,” a double-meaning love story that finds comfort in the company of having love in the midst of the uncertainty, and in this case, darkness, of being in her early twenties (and also, her actual fear of the dark).
We chatted with Poling all about “Scared of the Dark,” as well as her early start with performing, being active in Nashville, artistic growth and more!
Pro Country: Who were some of your early musical influences that have helped to shape your sound?
Ava Poling: The first group that made me fall in love with country music was The Chicks. My mom always loved them, and I was hooked immediately. I also loved Maddie & Tae and Brad Paisley. Those were my three artists growing up that made me love country music.
PC: When did you start writing songs and playing guitar? How quickly did you take to each?
AP: I started playing guitar in 7th grade. I took to it pretty quickly. I started writing songs in my senior year of high school. I always knew I wanted to be a performer, but to do that, I knew I’d have to write songs. That took me a second [laughs]. I feel like I’m good now, but that’s something that took a lot of time and practice.
PC: You mentioned always knowing you wanted to be a performer. When did you start performing for people, and what are your earliest memories of being on stage?
AP: I’ve been performing for as long as I can remember. I was a theater kid. That’s where I got my start. I was in The Wizard of Oz, and I was Annie in Annie. I always wanted to do musical theater. As I grew up, I realized how much I loved country music, and I decided to go in that direction.
PC: When did that love for music and performing translate into realizing you wanted to, and could, pursue music as a career?
AP: It sounds crazy, but I think I always knew I was going to pursue it; it was more of a question of how I was going to pursue it. There was never a time, even in middle school and high school, where I wasn’t thinking about being a performer or musician. When I was applying to colleges, I was either going to just move to Nashville or find a college down here that I can go to.
PC; You are currently attending college in Nashville. What has it been like to be surrounded by and immersing yourself with the collective talent in Nashville?
AP: It’s great. I think that some people can get overwhelmed by how competitive and intimidating it can be, but I think that I’ve learned to see people as people, not competition. Everyone is talented in different ways, and I think we all have an opportunity to help each other and make each other better. For me, it’s been an adjustment. I’ve been here for three years now, but I wouldn’t have improved as much as I have without being around all of the talented musicians here.
PC: What emotions were you feeling as you were preparing to release music for the first time with your debut single “Scared of the Dark”?
AP: I’m one of the most chill people in the world, so I really felt like, “Okay, I’ve got this song coming out!” When I sat back and thought about it, I realized this is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I was excited, and it’s really cool to see it on Apple Music. I was a little nervous to see how it would do, but I think that I was more excited to put something out for the first time.
PC: Can you take us in your head and in the room and talk about how “Scared of the Dark” came together?
AP: I’m only 21, but I think your twenties; especially your early twenties, are a scary time of trying to figure out what you’re going to do. I’m a very anxious person. I’ve always idolized love and marriage. I think about how it would feel so much better if I had someone there and how it would feel less stressful and overwhelming. Also, I’m actually so scared of the dark [laughs]. Both the actual dark and the uncertainty of being in your early twenties. The song says “as long as I’m where you are, I’m no longer scared of the dark” in both senses. It wasn’t from any real-world experience; I was thinking about that one night and realized that it would be a really cool concept for a song.
PC: “Scared of the Dark” paints a picture of an idyllic love. Can you tell us a few of your favorite country music love songs?
AP: My favorite one, and the one that is going to be my wedding song someday, is “Carried Away” by George Strait. “Then” by Brad Paisley and “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis are definitely my top three.
PC: You’ve mentioned on social media that you have more new music on the way this year. What information, if any, can you give about what will follow “Scared of the Dark”? What can listeners expect to hear?
AP: I have another single coming out in late March. I’m not exactly sure when yet, but I’m super excited about it!
PC: You mentioned earlier about being in Nashville for three years and the growth you’ve experienced in that time. How do you think you’ve grown in your three years of being in Nashville?
AP: My songwriting has improved drastically as I’ve written with so many different people. My performing has improved by playing writer’s rounds all the time. I used to get so nervous, but doing them multiple times a week has helped make it not so nervewracking. I’ve learned how to interact with the crowd too.
Something that gets brushed under the rug, but is so important to artists, is people skills. I can go out by myself and network now. When I came here by myself at 18, I would have never done that.
PC: Along with new music in the works, what do you have planned for the rest of 2025?
AP: I’m going to be continuing with writer’s rounds multiple times a week. I’m looking for some opportunities to open for people with a full band, too. I also have a music video that will be coming out for my next single that I’m super excited about!
PC: Is there anything you’d like to add?
AP: I’m pursuing being an artist, which is very much my brand, but for me, I’m a very strong Christian, so all of the glory goes to God. I’m thankful for all of the opportunities He’s given me so far.
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