Small Town Roots and Big Time Dreams
Makenzie Phipps was born and raised on the Virginia side of Bluefield, and she carries those deep Appalachian roots with her every day. Her musical journey began at an incredibly young age, singing in the car as a toddler and eventually learning hymns in her grandmother’s kitchen to perform at Sunday services. While she moved to Nashville about two and a half years ago to pursue her career, she admits she still deeply misses the “simple living” and the winter snow of her hometown. From her early days playing at the Bluefield Sports Bar and local carnivals, she has always felt that her path was divinely inspired.
“I just felt like the good Lord put me on this earth to sing so I just ran with it.”
Taking the Last Spot on Team Snoop
Getting onto season 28 of The Voice was not an overnight success; it was a grueling year-long process of video submissions and executive auditions. Makenzie ended up on Team Snoop Dogg, but the experience was a total nail-biter because she was the very last contestant to audition with a team spot still open. She stood backstage in a state of “absolute panic,” praying to be used as a vessel because she was so terrified of the high stakes. Even though the wait was intense, she found Snoop to be an incredibly down-to-earth person who still remembers her name and greets her with a hug.
“I thought that he would turn in the middle of my song because of how I arranged it… and then for him to have turned at the last word I was like not expecting that.”
Songwriting with Substance
Makenzie views songwriting as a form of therapy that can touch the lives of thousands by highlighting relatable life scenarios. While much of country music focuses on glorifying alcohol, she decided to take a more serious route with her song “Love Me Sober,” which tells the story of a relationship strained by alcoholism. She often collaborates with her husband, Shane, who helps her find the right keys and melodies for the lyrics that “won’t leave her alone” until they are written down. Whether she is in a boardroom or the “rowdiest bar” in Nashville, Makenzie remains unapologetically proud of her Appalachian accent and her faith.
“I feel like there’s not a ton of songs out there that have alcohol in a serious manner and that’s kind of where Love Me Sober came about.”
Want to hear Makenzie’s incredible voice for yourself and get the full scoop on her Hollywood journey? You won’t want to miss the live performances and hilarious stories in the original video!
