Meet Lisa Torres | Singer/Songwriter & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Torres and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
The path I’ve chosen is a difficult one without any real guidelines to follow for achieving your goals. The entertainment business has been full of jumping before I knew where I might land, never really feeling like I was ready but also feeling an overwhelming desire to share what I’d been creating as soon as soon as possible – whether that was a song I recorded or the children’s book I co-authored.
I contemplated walking away from my music career to pursue other ventures and dreams a time or two but the need to create was always stronger than the struggle to keep going. It’s never really been a question of “is it time to give up” but more about “is this path still serving me”. Giving myself permission to shift my goals and chase new dreams wasn’t something that happened overnight, it’s something I prayed about and struggled through for years.
Changing directions isn’t giving up. It’s creating a new plan and reevaluating the wants and needs for my business and my life has proven to be incredibly rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Music has been the heartbeat for me, woven into the fabric of my daily life. From a young age, singing and dancing were not just activities but cherished family traditions that filled our home with joy. It was our entertainment, our comfort, our distraction and fuel for motivation that has stayed with me for over 40 years. I’ve always felt that my gift of singing was meant to be shared with the world, sparking dreams of grand world tours and creative collaborations with my favorite artists – dreams that were vibrant and colorful, just like the imagination of a little girl envisioning her future should be.

At 19, driven by my passion for music, I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, launching my own record label while balancing the demands of college. With the incredible support of my parents, my uncle (an attorney), and a producer friend, I dove headfirst into learning the complexities of starting a business. I raised funds for my first album, wrote songs, networked, marketed, and released my debut album before I turned 21. Along the way, I encountered tempting record deal offers—a Latin deal from RCA and a pop deal with an indie label—but neither felt authentic to who I was or who I aspired to be. In the era of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, I understood that signing with either option would compromise who I truly was.

When I look back on those early decisions, I’m proud of my unwavering sense of self (and probably some stubbornness, lol) that guided me. That commitment to authenticity has always been a cornerstone of my life journey. The music business is full of challenges, and I’ve learned that resilience and persistence is the key to success in any goal. Accepting criticism while letting most opinions wash over me hasn’t been easy, but reminding myself of my “why”, which has evolved over the years, has anchored me to my path. Each setback became an opportunity to regroup, reflect, and approach my dreams from new angles—leading me to unexpected and exciting experiences for which I am forever grateful.

Becoming a mother transformed my perspective in profound ways. Embracing this new chapter, I welcomed my bonus daughter through marriage and later, our son. The indescribable joy that comes from being their mom reshaped my priorities, prompting me to search for balance between my career and family. The sacrifices I was once willing to make for my passion began to feel too great. I had spent 20 years of my life running head first toward something with little to no regard for the sacrifices I was making along the way and one day I looked up to see what the future would look like if I continued on that path. The trail of broken pieces that would be left in the wake of chasing my dream wasn’t worth it any longer.

That shift in perspective forced me to confront some tough questions: Did my passion for music still outweigh the sacrifices I was making? Was it time to step back from the career I had dedicated my life to? And perhaps the hardest question of all—what comes next? Then, in February 2020, the world shut down.

When I pray for an answer, I ask God to make my choice painfully obvious. This is risky so reserve it for BIG decisions like “Hey God, should I quit my music career?”. When the pandemic struck and our thriving band lost over 100 dates overnight, I felt a profound sense of clarity. Making the decision to leave was one of the most challenging of my life, but deep down, I knew it was the right choice – for my happiness, for my family and ultimately for the band. Though saying goodbye to that chapter was difficult, it led to a newfound freedom I had longed for, space to breathe and let my creativity grow in unexpected ways.

During that time, I rediscovered my passion for storytelling. A collaboration with my longtime friend and co-writer, Karleen Watt, sparked the idea for a children’s book that had been lingering in my mind since a previous songwriting session. With my busy schedule finally allowing room for this project, we jumped in together, and the words flowed effortlessly and in no time “SoleMate” was written. As songwriters, we couldn’t resist writing a song to go with the story. My brother recorded it for us, and having my son and niece sing on it made the experience even more special. Those magical moments of creation are memories I will cherish forever, and our hope is to share that joy with readers and listeners alike.

At the core of my artistic journey has always been the desire to share meaningful moments with others through music and now through the pages of our book “SoleMate”. Creating opportunities for connection and positivity is a gift I hold dear, and stepping back from my former career has paved the way for me to dream in new ways, embracing a future filled with endless possibilities

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.
The Nashville area has so many wonderful things to experience, we’re incredibly fortunate!
I’m not much of a foodie but I love places like The Perch in Brentwood or Grays on Main in Franklin. I love taking visitors to Arrington Vineyard or Cheekwood Botanical Garden if the weather is nice. Heading downtown to the Honkytonks on Broadway is amazing for people watching during the afternoon. We have great historical sites to visit and incredible options for live music whether you want to see a big concert at Bridgestone Arena or a more intimate venue like City Winery. And you can’t forget the Ryman!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So much of what I have been able to accomplish and achieve in my life has been because of the love and unwavering support of my family. My parents and my brother sacrificed their time and even moved across the country when my dream took me to Nashville. They pushed me and lifted me up time and time again, showing me I would be loved through any failure that might come my way.

My husband who stepped into my life when my career was about to take a big shift. He has walked along side me through so many changes and held my hand to give me courage when mine faltered.

Thank you and I love you all!

Instagram: @lisatorresmusic & @solematekids

Image Credits
Chuck Arlund
Debbie Wallace