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This week, we talk with singer-songwriter Lillie Wright, 16, a junior at Myers Park High who began playing guitar at 9 and writing lyrics after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Her first guitar came from her mother, Barbara Wright, who bought the Gibson in 1972 for $90.
“I carted that (guitar) everywhere,” said Barbara. “I schlepped it from apartment to apartment … now it’s hers.”
Lillie, who compares her style to Colbie Caillat’s, plays at private parties and events such as Festival in the Park at Freedom Park. Her most popular song, “The Same Place,” has about 3,000 hits on YouTube, and she has viewers from Europe, Asia and Australia. (See the song video at http://bit.ly/XtSU5H.)
Q: What was your first song?
“April Rain.” It was really simplistic and about general life experiences ... The lyrics came first because there were days that were harder, like after (my mother) had a round of chemo.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
All of (my songs) come from a personal experience ... You just have to exaggerate.
Q: Can you tell us about your CD, ‘The Road’?
For my IB personal project I produced a CD in 2011. I recorded it in my mom’s closet. In recording studios, there’s fabric hung on the walls. So I thought, ‘Where could I do that?’ So it was me and my voice teacher recording on a Mac using compression mics and a guitar.
Q: Who is your musical role model?
Taylor Swift. She is an amazing lyricist. ....I think: “She did it. Maybe I can do it.”
