We had the good fortune of connecting with Allie Marie Hunter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allie Marie, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I don’t think there’s a one answer, fits all here. But personally, I don’t think you should ever give up. If you have a dream, chase it. If you have a passion for something, go get it. I think there’s a misconception with chasing a dream that you have to ‘make it big’ to have ‘made it’. I don’t agree with that. As a storyteller, I get fulfilment and joy from sharing my stories, be them through my music or my acting, with anyone. And honestly, it’s sharing with the people closest to me that makes those stories seem so valuable and precious. If there is something that sets your soul alight, that makes you who you are, then you owe it to yourself to keep doing it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t make any money from it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t win any awards for it. Do it for you. Because you love it. Because it makes you happy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My family raised me to embrace my creativity. To cherish it and nurture it. I remember sitting in my room writing stories – none of them very good at all, but I would keep writing anyway. I would sing along to my songs, act out my poorly typed-out scenes, and pretend I was on grand stages, performing in front of large audiences – not just my favourite teddy bears.

Now here I am, a country artist in London, with a brand new country-music musical about to preview itself to the big wide world next year, and honestly – I wouldn’t change my journey to get here in any way.

From drama school, to voiceover work for the BBC, failed relationships, and recording studios, … it has all led me to this point.

We never know where one path is going to lead us, and how that sometimes, when one opportunity doesn’t work out, it’s okay, because we’re destined for something better.

When Covid hit, I had to put a stop to my acting, but it meant I finally had a good excuse to release some original music. Which I did. Finally, in 2022, theatres opened again, and I went back to my local theatre for their Christmas show. It was there I met some of the people who are now part of my original musical ‘Storyteller’ – and without them, the musical may not have come to life. They gave me the motivation and inspiration to finally put pen to paper, and pour this story out. But bigger than that, they are now some of my closest, and most special friends in my life.

You never, ever, know what is waiting for you on the other side of your fear. You just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. Follow your heart. It knows what it’s doing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best recommendations in Nashville are as follows:

– Country Music Hall of Fame & the RCA Studio B tour (for all my fellow Elvis Presley fans – you’ll get to see where he recorded some of his work, and stand on the same spot he did).

– The Ryman Auditorium – catch a show if you can, or just do the tour.

– Grand Ole Opry – this one is still on my to-do list, but next time I’m in town I’ll be booking tickets to see the show that made country music famous!

– If you’re a cowboy boot lover like I am, then go check out Boot Country on Broadway. They always have the best deals and some awesome options there!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my Storyteller family. You all know who you are. This past year you have gifted me your time, your commitment, your encouragement and excitement, in helping to bring my new musical to life. Without you, none of this would be possible.
You are the family I chose.

Website: www.alliemariehunter.com

Instagram: @alliemariehunter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alliemariehunterofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alliemariehuntervevo3012

Image Credits
Allie Marie Hunter, Cast & Creative of Storyteller: A New Musical

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