Nashville At Home: Singer, Songwriter and Actress Emily West

Emily West (photo by Julie Simpson)

Nashville singer/songwriter/actress Emily West is not who she seems. Meeting her in person, she is unassuming and shy with a kind of otherworldly romanticism about her. But when she steps on stage to perform, she unleashes a vocal prowess so powerful, so commanding, you cannot help but fall under her spell. If you’re a fan of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” you remember her on Season 9 where she came in second place. Her rendition of Sia’s “Chandelier” won her a standing ovation from the judges and audience (my personal favorite was her performance of “Knights in White Satin.”) “America’s Got Talent” judge, Howard Stern, said, “Emily is the most original singer ever to have performed on America’s Got Talent. She is unforgettable.”

Emily was just 18 when she left her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, for Nashville. It didn’t take long for her to land a deal with Capitol Records where she released “Rocks In Your Shoes,” which made it to the Billboard's Country Charts Top 40. She hit the country charts a second time with her critically acclaimed duet with Keith Urban, "Blue Sky.” This dynamic duo’s recording was nominated for the ACM’s Vocal Event of the Year in 2008. Setting her sights on Broadway, she moved to New York City in 2014, and on a whim, auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” where she dazzled millions of viewers with every performance.

Following AGT, Emily released her album, All For You, and toured the country with her one-woman-show. Lucky for us, Emily returned to Nashville and that is where I caught up with her. Emily lives in a charming home on a gorgeous street in Nashville’s West End neighborhood with her 19-year-old cocker spaniel, Stella.

From the moment you step inside, you know an artist lives here. Emily effortlessly blends vintage with modern, high and low, traditional and kitsch. You feel an inviting sense of warmth, like you can kick your shoes off and curl up for a nap in any of the cozy nooks she's created. Emily told me she wants her home to feel like a hug and it does. This is my interview with Emily West at home in Nashville.

Emily and Stella (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

Let’s talk about America’s Got Talent. I know you hear this all the time but it’s true, you should have won. What was that experience like?

Sometimes I still can’t believe I was on the show. I had just moved to New York and I was in a really desperate place. I was broke. I had been let go from my contract with Capitol Records, and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next. I heard about the auditions for AGT and thought, why not? If you had told me as a little girl I’d be on that stage, I would have said “no way!” I got to go to LA and perform on the stage of the Kodak Theater, the same stage as the Oscars. I had been praying for something to happen and my prayers were answered. That show gave my career the boost I needed.

Emily on America’s Got Talent (photo courtesy of NBC)

Howard Stern said you are the most original singer to perform on AGT. How did that feel when he said that?

That was a cool thing. I felt I had been blessed by him. Howard got into deejaying because of music. He knows music. Sonically, he knows what’s up. To be blessed by him saying that was so great.

When you performed “Nights in White Satin,” it just about destroyed me. I mean that in a good way. Tell Me about that.

It was my mom and dad’s wedding song. It was a way of honoring them. I got to remake it and make it my own. I was more scared of singing Roberta Flacks’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Her son sent me flowers and a card afterwards. That was really special.

Emily with Howard Stern backstage at NBC’s America’s Got Talent

You went on tour with Jay Leno after AGT. What was that like? 

This is interesting. My uncle dated Jay Leno’s assistant for about 25 years. She had been following my career because she knew the family. In the 50s and 60s, the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy David, Jr., Joey Bishop) would have a singer open for them when they were performing. So, Jay Leno invited me to open shows for him. He gave me a great piece of advice. He said, “treat yourself like a $250 act and you’ll become a $250 act.” Working with him opened so many doors for me.

Emily and Jay Leno (photo from Emily’s personal collection)

Your voice is so powerful, so captivating. What do you feel when you're performing?

I feel most at home when I’m singing. When I’m in flow and I know the song, I can’t wait to sing it. Saying “I love the stage” sounds so Hollywood and I hope this doesn’t come across as egotistical but I do feel like when I’m singing, I am overwhelmed with the spirit of it. It’s heavenly gift to be able to move someone and I’m not gonna knock it.

Emily performing at the Grand Ole Opry

When did you first know you could sing?

I remember performing as a kid and seeing the looks on people’s faces, how they reacted to my voice. I’m the youngest of 4 and I stuttered. I started singing when I was 8 and it helped with my stuttering. It was a way for me to slow down the words and meditate on each sound.

Living Room (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

You got a contract soon after you arrived in town. That must have been thrilling. 

Yes, I got a contract with Warner Chappell, a publishing company. I was hired to write songs for my first record and to write for other artists and co-write with them. I got signed a month after I was here. I’d go home at night and just listen to records because I was so inspired—Judy Garland, Tori Amos, Patsy Cline, the Bee Gees, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, the Beatles. I was just studying what chords I liked. I’d listen to symphonies and then I started floating off into different genres. The company (Warner Chappell) tried to box me in and then they told me I was unboxable. They told me they didn’t know how to market me and that I needed to do a variety show since I could sing so many different genres. I realize now that is a strength. I was so young, trying to be what they wanted me to be, and I hadn’t yet learned who I was.

How did your duet with Keith Urban come about?

After Warner Chappell, I got signed to Capitol Records. My single, “Rocks In My Shoes” made it to #31. I was so proud. I was feeling really confident and I knew I wanted to work with Keith Urban so I emailed him asking him if he’d perform this duet with me. The song is called “Blue Sky.” He emailed me back in about 5 minutes. He said, “I would love to sing with you on this exquisite song. Well done, Emily.” I freaked out. I couldn’t believe it. It was a great experience. I’m just excited he knows my name. Our duet was the was the runner up to Vocal Event of the Year.

Rabbits, a nod to “Alice in Wonderland,” are a common fixture in Emily’s home. (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

Living Room (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

Living Room (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

You have A phenomenal sense of style—in the way you decorate and the way you dress. Where do you get inspiration?

I don’t follow trends. I love old vintage things just like I love old music, the classics. I’m inspired by people who buck the trends, people who have a distinct style and look good doing it, the fashion mavericks. I also take bits and pieces of memories I had as a kid, like Annie Hall. I wanted to be her when I grew up.

Emily’s grandmother’s china which she uses as everyday dinnerware (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

Let’s talk about your home. What do you love most about it?

Well, Stella’s #1. She makes my house a home. I love plants and candles and they’re everywhere. I’m not a minimalist, I like comfort and don’t mind clutter. I adore my fireplace and I might light it even in the summer. I love my “Sound of Music” and “Gone With The Wind” curtains in my bedroom and I’m crazy about my Alice In Wonderland room. I inherited my grandma’s china. I remember playing with it when I was a kid. I loved the sound of the cup clinking on the plate. My kitchen table reminds me of my kitchen table growing up.

Emily’s grandmother hand stitched this footstool in her guest, aka “Alice in Wonderland” room (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

My record collection is so important to me. I love Spotify but listening to a record is like a sonic fireplace. The sound is warmer and you can listen to the whole thing as it was meant to be heard. I always listen to records when I cook.

The vintage Victrola Record Player/Radio in Emily’s kitchen (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

The daybed where Stella naps and Emily watches television (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

Emily’s “Alice in Wonderland” room (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

Do you have a favorite interior designer? 

Leanne Ford, she’s my friend. She’s the one who taught me about design. She decorated the last house I lived in. She put every mirror I had on one wall and it looked like Alice in Wonderland. She’s an amazing poet and we started writing songs together. She’s an incredible wordsmith. She wrote on the back of a setlist for Escondido, “If you’re not making anyone nervous, you’re not doing anything special.” Usually a good designer knows how to live a good life. Leanne’s been a big influence in my life.

I reached out to Leanne Ford about Emily and this is what she said: "Emily West is without a doubt one of the most magical women I have ever had the joy of meeting. She is a creative soul through and through, and her job here on earth is to keep putting more beauty, more music, and more wit out onto the planet. And crazy enough, considering the magnitudes of art and music she has accomplished and has created, I truly believe she’s just getting started."

Primary Bedroom (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

A vintage, macrame daybed in Emily’s primary bedroom (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

You recently lost an uncle who was very important to you. He gave you a great piece of advice. I love it so much, I’ve adapted it in my own life.

He was my favorite uncle, Uncle Larry. We lost him recently and I’m still grieving. He was always encouraged me to be myself. I remember one of the last talks we had and he said, “Keep swinging the bat. Just keep swinging the bat.” Shortly after he died, two songbirds flew into my house. I think he had something to do with that.

Screened in porch (photos by Julie Lee Simpson)

Emily purchased this mirror at an estate sale. It now hangs in her kitchen. (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

How did Covid-19 change how you live?

Before the pandemic, I kind of became the Mrs. Rogers of the neighborhood. These sweet little girls who live down the street would come over and they always wanted me to sing for them. They’d come over in their Disney princess dresses and we’d sing and sing. I’ve missed that.

If you could have a second home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

The Island of Women. It’s a cozy fairytale island off the coast of Cancun. I did a festival for a non profit called “The Little Yellow Schoolhouse.” I got to go there a few times and I fell in love with it. One day I want to have a house there. I want to have a place in New York, too!

Bathroom and hallway (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

One of Emily’s concert posters (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)

Now that the end of the pandemic is in sight, what’s next for you?

I will be releasing a brand new album called “Dear Diary” featuring Whiskey Wolves of the West this spring.

Friends, while assembling this feature, i’ve been listening to emily singing with the whiskey wolves of the west and they are fantastic. i can’t wait for this album!

Emily, this was an honor and a thrill and i thank you from the bottom of my full heart for sharing your home with me.

In her backyard with Stella (photo by Julie Lee Simpson)