Subscribe
I had the pleasure of interviewing country/rock singer Laura Bryna. She is one sensational up and coming performer who has opened for Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and others. She has a CD out entitled Trying to Be Me (Equity Records) and you can listen to some of her music on her website: 
Not only does Laura have an amazing voice and is touching people everywhere with her music, but she is also involved in some other projects, including an animated movie and is a spokesperson for the Air National Guard Campaign. She does it all!
Along with this great interview with Laura, I have 11 of her CDs to give away! You can read the rules of the contest after the interview. Here’s Laura Bryna!
Disney Society: Tell me a little bit about your background in music.
Laura: I graduated from University of the Arts (Philadelphia) in music. I’ve done musical theater and had musical parts in ‘Tina and Tony’s Wedding’, ‘Rasputin’ and did the Kennedy Center Traveling Show while in school. In addition I have had piano lesson, vocal lessons and attended various music classes at Belmont University. I love all kinds of music and I love to sing all types of music.
Disney Society: When did you know this is what you wanted to do for a living?
Laura: ALWAYS! Ever since I could talk. I have always loved entertaining people. I love my fans and being able to touch their hearts in some way. I love the intimate connection you can have with your audience. The feeling is absolutely incredible. This career is a dream come true.
Disney Society: I’ve listened to some of the music from your CD “Trying to be Me” and it sounds amazing! What was it like recording your first album?
Laura: Thank you so much. That’s so sweet of you to say. Being in the recording studio with such amazing and talented musicians, producers, engineers, and background vocalists was incredible. All with such talent and dedication to music. Creating the sound and then being able to take it on the road and share it with your fans is a indescribable feeling!
Read the rest below and don’t forget to enter the contest for one of her CDs.
Disney Society: Do you have a favorite song on “Trying to be Me”?
Laura: Not really, each has a special place in my heart. I wanted the CD to be something all kinds of people could relate to. There are songs about difficult issues, emotions, attitude and just plain fun. There is also a tribute to the men and women of our military who I feel allow me to live my dreams by their sacrifice.
Disney Society: I hear you are involved in a new music project. What can you tell me about that?
Laura: I am so excited to get back in the studio and work on new music. We have been talking to several different producers, discussing the style of music we want to do. I would really like this to be a fun, sassy CD with a lot of attitude. Lots of guitars, big drums and something that can fit into both the Pop and Country formats. What ever we decide it will be filled with fun for the fans and that’s what’s important.
Disney Society: What is this about an animated project you are involved in? Sounds exciting! What can you tell me about that?
Laura: We have just started on this project but I am so happy about it. I will be one of the characters in the animation. There will be music of course, teaching children about life without preaching to them. Some fun characters that will teach kids values, life goals, how to keep the environment safe and all with fun and music. I can’t wait to get started on this project.
Disney Society: Is music your one and only love or are you hoping to break out into acting as well?
Laura: We’re doing a lot of things. I love entertaining and touching people in anyway I can. I love acting, hosting shows, music, kids, dancing, fashion and of course singing. So, my overall career goal is to do it all!
Disney Society: I think it is fabulous that you work with the National Guard Youth Foundation. How did you get started working with them and why did you choose that organization?
Laura: As spokesperson for the Air National Guard Campaign, I was introduced to General Conaway who heads the NGYF and Colonel James Tinkham who is the Executive Director, and both of whom are retired and yet still devoted to this cause. I met these kids from the NGYF’s Youth Challenge Program at a function we were invited to and they really touched my heart so much. They are kids that have been given up on for the most part. They are failing or have dropped out of school. They come from an environment where they have little chance to succeed. When they come into this program they are lost. After 24 weeks in the program they leave with a GED or High School diploma. They’re required to give 25 hours of community service, they go through a job shadowing program, they learn to exercise, eat right and are given a second chance at life. Many go on to college and they have an 85% success rate with this program. How could you not want to be part of it?
Disney Society: I hear you have a new international record deal? Now that is exciting! How did this come about and what you can tell us about that project?
Laura: My management team surprised me with this news while I was on stage performing at a House of Blues concert we did in LA a couple of months ago. My CD, "Trying To Be Me" was picked up by AGR Television Records in Germany. They have distribution through Universal Music Group throughout Europe. We put a couple of bonus tracks on the CD and they will be releasing it in Europe the first of the year with a single going out to radio and distribution throughout Europe. We are planning a trip there next year to support the CD through concerts and promotion tours. I can’t wait to go!
Disney Society: Do you have any advice/tips to young people wanting to break out into the music business and some day land their own record deal?
Laura: Always learn as much as you can about the business. Take classes, network, have lunches with people in the business, do internships with labels or publishers. Learn the business from the inside out. Let people see your name and face as much as you can so people in the business get to know you. And most important, don’t ever stop learning. There is always something new to learn in the music business as in life. And no matter how many times you are told NO, NEVER GIVE UP!
Thanks so much Laura!
How would like to win one of Laura Bryna’s “Trying to Be Me” CDs? Here are the rules of the contest:
- One entry: Just leave a comment on this post!
- One entry: Tweet about this contest on Twitter!
- One entry: Blog about this contest on your blog!
- Contest starts today (October 27) and ends on November 8th.
- Contest only open to U.S. residents.
Here is the tracklisting for “Trying to Be Me”:
1. Life is Good
2. Maybe She Fell
3. My Mistakes
4. Room 228
5. Same Dog
6. Make a Wish
7. Set it on Fire
8. 640 BattLefieLd Dr.
9. According to the Radio
10. She Can’t Save Him
11. No Man s Land
12. Smoke From a Bridge you Burned
13. Hometown Heroes
Image Credit: Amazon.com
Great Article. Great looking singer and very down to earth. So young to be so charitable. I love what she had to say about never giving up on your career.
she sounds great.
I would love to win one of the CDs! Please enter me in the giveaway.
Please enter me – I would love to hear Laura’s new album!
I would love to win
would like to hear her music!
Wow, what a super interview with Laura! She is a great singer and so much fun in concert. I can’t wait to hear even more music from this soon to be superstar!
Sounds like she has a bright future ahead of her..thanks for the opportunity!
This looks like a great cd. She has a good voice.
This will make a wonderful C’mas gift!
Thank you for the giveaway. I’d love to hear her music as I have a passion for music!
The young lady has a very nice voice. Please accept my entry. Thank you.
I’d love to win!
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/halfbluesky/status/5444031343
we are a disney family, so we love your site for sure.
It’s nice to see a singer who has actually graduated college and doesn’t just hang out around the clubs every night. Thank you for sharing.
Great music, great contest!
Sounds like a great CD
I would love to hear Lauras album
Her music looks like something my daughter would love to listen too.
She has a magnificent voice!
sounds great, i hope to win the cd
Would love to win this for my kiddo.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/qwills2cats/status/5522642927
my niece would love this i bet!
I would love to win her cd!!
I think my niece would like this. Thank you
I have only heard her a couple of times but I would love to win a copy of her cd
I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/kmayans/status/5534591339
Love the artist!
I would love to win this, thanks for the chance!
Thank you for the chance to win, she sounds wonderful, and I love country!
tweet!
http://twitter.com/SweepsCat713/status/5543592634
I would love a chance to win this! I need some new good music for the car! Thank you!
It’s always fun to see what musicians are really like.
jessicaannewilde at gmail.com
Sounds like a great CD count me in
cookster77@aol.com
I would love to introduce my kids to some new music acts beyond what they have been seeing on Disney TV! And opening for Taylor Swift means that they will be glad to listen!
Great interview with Laura Bryna. It was nice to see that she does so much for the Nation Guard Youth Foundation.
I found and listened to a couple of samples from the Trying To Be Me CD. Very nice voice.
We would love to win
My daughter should read this! She’s ready to start her singing career!
Tweet – http://twitter.com/choochoo428/status/5549391419
Sounds like a great CD!
This looks great
Please enter me
I would love to hear Laura’s new album!
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!