Josie Sal 

In Nashville Josie Salvitti (Josie Sal) has performed at Tootsies, Kid Rock's, Ole Red, Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, Ripey's, Honkey Tonk Central, Lucky Bastard, The Twelve Thirty Club, Big Machine Distillery, Tin Roof, Johnny Cash's Bar, The Stage, and Margaritaville. In addition to entertaining in her hometown of Pittsburgh she has also had other gigs in Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. She also performed in West Virginia and New York City.  

I love story telling and country music tells stories and everyone can relate - Josie Sal

DL: How old were you when you sang in public for the first time? Where was it?

JS: I was 10 years old when my dad dared me to sing one song with the band, Southbound, at Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda, FL.  The song I sang was Dance Monkey, by Tones and I.

DL: Have you had vocal or music training?

JS: I didn't have any vocal or music training before my dad dared me to sing in FL. For about a year now I have been taking vocal lessons with Hilerie Klein Rensi, owner of Higher Voice Studio. I also have been working on guitar with Tony Janflone Jr., Jud Carper and Khris Glaring. I also hope to learn keyboard in the future.

DL: Have you always sung country music? If not, what other genres have you sung?

JS: I mainly sing Country and Country Rock but I do some Classic Rock, Pop, and Blues.

DL: Why did you choose country music?

JS: I love story telling and Country music tells stories and everyone can relate.

DL: Is "On My Way" your first original? Is this something you wrote or co-wrote? What was the inspiration for the song? 

JS: I wrote ON MY WAY with Noah West and my producer Noah Henson.  I wrote this song because it always bothered me when people would occasionally say, "Don't you just want to be a 6th grader?" and didn't agree. I love singing and performing.

DL: Do you have more originals to be released? Do you have a favorite? Why? What was the inspiration for these songs? 

JS: I have lots of new music that I've been working on that I wrote with many different song writers.  I like all the songs, but I think my favorite may be the next original I'm going to release called COUNTRY GOLD! The inspiration is about some country legends and learning about them and listening to their music. I want to follow in their footsteps and make it big someday. The song is real catchy!

DL: Who are your musical influences, besides Lainey? 

JS: Besides Lainey Wilson, I have lots.  My absolute favorite is Billy Joel, but I like Zach Bryan, Dolly, and Reba. There are so many more but those ones I listen to daily.

DL: You had the chance to meet with Lainey, did you sing with her? How did that make you feel? 

JS: I got to share a mic with Lainey at a stadium show in Tampa and I was crying while singing on the big screen. I also met her 2 more times after, and both times she remembered me.  I asked if she would mentor me and she said yes, but she has been touring everywhere so nothing has happened, and I am okay with that! She is the sweetest person ever, and if she ever did mentor me, that would be a dream come. I also met Lainey's dad at the CMA's, and he spoke to me and my parents for a long time, and he was just as nice as Lainey and I can see why she is the way she is!  

DL: I think I saw that you sang with Jelly Roll. Who else have you sung with or opened for? 

JS: Yes, I had the opportunity to sing Lainey's part of the duet "Save Me" with Jelly Roll after he sent security out to bring me on stage. He was the nicest person ever and when he spoke to me backstage after the concert with so many people around , he was focused just on talking with me. I didn't know what to expect, but he was amazing, and it was an experience that I'll never forget.

Last November, I was one of the opening acts for Riley Green and Aaron Tippin at a music festival in Florida, and I performed at that show with a full band. In Pittsburgh, I have sung with many bands, including Devon Allen Johnon & Ruff Creek, Buckwild, Six Gun Sally and Airborne. In Florida, I sang with The Boogiemen, Southbound, Marker Five, Coastal Jams and the Kollections. On Lower Broadway in Nashville, I've been lucky to sing with too many bands to list, but a few of my favorites have been John Stone, Jason Cross, Tyson Hanes, Russell Brown, Mac Greer and Krystal Steel. 

DL: I see also that you had the chance to perform during CMA Fest Week. How was it different than your other performances? 

JS: This was so different for me.  First, I sang only my originals with the exception of one cover, BLACK VELVET, that I recently recorded and will release soon. Second, I always say you never know who's in the crowd but this time I knew the chances were higher for someone important to be there, and several industry people came to see me and I was able to make some great contacts.  All the songs were done acoustically and without any backing tracks, and I had Khris Glaring, an amazing guitarist, play for me. I had just met him the night before, and we had only a few hours of practice before taking the stage together, and it went on without a hitch!

DL: Congratulations on your nomination for a Josie Music Award. Is this your first time being nominated? Have you won any other music competitions? 

JS: Thank you.  No, I have never been nominated before and I have not won any other competitions. I am honored to be nominated for the 10th Annual Josie Music Awards!  There are so many family and friends that will be making the trip to watch the awards ceremony. It's at the Grand Ole Opry, and I've never been there, and it would amazing if I was called up on that stage!

DL: Do you play guitar or other instruments? How does that help your musical journey? 

JS: I play some guitar and I know this is a must to have a successful career. Learning guitar also helps me understand music theory. A goal of mine is also to make it on stage with the Song Suffragettes, which is the only all-female country music singer-song writer showcase at The Listening Room Café, in Nashville and to be invited to Song Suffragettes I'll need to be able to play guitar and sing my originals.

DL: Who have you had a chance to write songs with and who else do they write for? 

JS: I have written with Noah Henson, Noah West, Presley Tennant, Kelli Johnson, Hunter Kirbow, Jacob Sutton, Maura Streppa, and Don Goodman. Noah Henson has written with Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert and Pillar, to name just a few. Don Goodman had written for Alabama, Blake Shelton, George Jones, and Lee Greenwood, and is credited on songs OL' RED and ANGELS AMONG US (Alabama).

DL: You were contacted by American Idol receiving VIP pass to go straight to LA when you are 15. How excited are you about that? 

JS: I am so excited!  A little nervous but so happy and can't wait.  Though it feels like it is so far away since I'm only 12.

DL: When can we expect more originals music from you? 

JS: The goal is to release an original song every 6-8 weeks, including a Christmas song!

DL: Where's your favorite place to perform? Why? 

JS: NASHVILLE!  I just love the energy, vibe and music loving people in Nashville!

DL: Is there anything you would like to add? 

JS: I would like to thank the following radio stations who invited me to co-host their programs and that played my first original song release, ON MY WAY, on the radio.  

• Froggy Radio – Pittsburgh: DJ Jeremy "Danger" Mulder/The Danger Show
• WINQ Radio (Keene, NH): Mark Healey
• WGBB Radio (Long Island, NY): Sean Pendergast/The Sit Down Show.   

DL: Anyone you want to recognize for helping you along the way? 

JS: There is almost too many to mention.  But I have to thank my parents first and then....Southbound, Mike Riley/The Boogiemen, Brad Balsama, Noah Henson, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Ryan McMahan, Brian Turner/Big Boy Toyz, Dennis Dees,/Dees Audio, Gary Racan, and Hilerie Klein Rensi/Higher Voice Studio.

Graphic by LFE Creative

A few songs Josie Sal has performed

On My Way her first original at CMA Fest Week

Heart Like a Truck cover

Rolling in the Deep cover

Save Me cover with Buckwild

Where to Find Josie Sal

• Website Her website features her schedule of gigs, photos and links to merchandise.  
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Music
• Spotify
• YouTube

As I learn more about Josie Sal I will try to update this post.

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