We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Kate or MK for short Farmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Kate or MK for short, why did you pursue a creative career?
I get asked this all the time… Why chose not only an artistic/creative career, but why such a hard one where success is not only not guaranteed but incredibly slim. The answer is really easy. Why not? I don’t want to wake up one day and regret not following my dreams. Regret is not something I want to live with so why not. You have to work hard at your dreams to make them a career and for me I choose to fight to mine every day. You see my music career is my biggest outlet in all ways. It’s how I’ve always and continue to cope with life when it comes to writing. I love to write. Since I was 14 I’ve been writing about the realities of life and putting them to music to help me or other people listening. Ive always said music has the power to do two very very powerful things. It has the ability to make you relive a memory or heal from it. So as I pour the inner-workings of my heart and mind and life threw my lens I hope that I can heal a few hearts along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I felt this calling on my life from the time I was 13. I knew what I was meant to do and destined for. Anytime I would spend elsewhere felt pointless and I would always return to music. Today I would describe myself as a mid level artist. I am not big time yet but hopefully well on my way. Doing things such as opening for large artists such as Hunter Hayes, Chase Rice, Craig Campbell, Montgomery Gentry, Deana Carter, Ronnie Milsap, performing the national anthem at pro sporting events like the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta United games, playing festivals like CMA Fest Georgia country music festival, the carolina country music festival and headlining city wide events and mid sized venues. But to get here it was not a cake walk and tik tok wasn’t always around in the early stage of my career to blow me up. I build my own websites, run my own social media, make my own merchandise, book a lot of my shows aside from my booking agents, do all of my concert posters, video editing and write almost all my own music aside from a few cowrites. Its a constant fight and battle to gain traction in a career that is so hard to be “successful” or make it big but right now I find my success in the shows I get off stage and know that it was a good one, or in the fans that tell me my songs helped them or they scream it at the top of their lungs front row like it was written just for them. Those are the moments where I fell like I’ve “made it”. However I didn’t get here alone. My parents were and are still so helpful. They have helped me build and navigate my career from day 1. Driving to gigs, buy show outfits and boots, setting up and tearing down equipment, running merch and so much more. My husband is also a HUGE reason of why i am so far. He works full time allowing me to focus on my music. He also covers watching our son and plays guitar on stage at the full band shows! He does it all! In a career where there are SO MANY female country artist I get asked a lot what sets me apart. My response is the same… Come to a show and find out!
Resiliency is the true secret to this whole thing. If I would’ve given up a year ago, six months a go, heck even a week ago I wouldn’t have the opportunities and experiences Ive been blessed with! The only thing I know that will get me to where I want to be is to not give up. I want people to know that even if you are a mom or a wife or maybe people have just told you you couldn’t do something, know you CAN. You just need to be resilient and have faith in God and yourself, a village and a-lot of caffeine!
I’ve learned SO MUCH along the way of my career.. I was actually sitting on my living room floor looking out into the pasture thinking about all those little things that make me imperfect or that I’ve learned about the world or myself and summed up all up in one of my favorite songs I think to date my new single “Reap & Sow” that will be released March 1st.

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.
Off stage I spend a lot of time four wheeling on our land. So We would start off with that! I’d take them on a boat ride on Lake Lanier which off stage in the summer is where you will find me. Yes the infamous “haunted” Lake Lanier!! I love the town of Dahlonega GA. It is close to where we live and is the perfect getaway. During the summer we hit the tubing down the river and in the winter they transform the square into what looks like straight out of a hallmark Christmas movie!! Being a musician I am a sucker for live music, so I love to hit any north georgia dive bar that has a band! A drink, the smell of a dive bar, and good live music makes for the PERFECT night for me; I’m fairly low maintenance. We would end the weekend with a cookout and HUGE bonfire on the land in the pasture. Filled with songs by the fire, marshmallows, and good company.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Theres so many people who have helped and continue to help me along my journey. I couldn’t survive or do what I do without my “village”. Consisting of my parents, my siblings, my inlaws, my extended family, my friends, and more. The village totals out to about 30 people I couldn’t live without at this point when it comes to help with my career. Whether its helping out with my son while I travel or running the merch booth at the shows I know there is always help from my sweet village.

MY BAND. From late night rehearsals and gigs to long car rides in equipment stuffed vehicles, these guys are the best! With all the hours they’ve become family. I’ve never had so much fun playing on stage as I have with this band and I am so blessed to have them on this journey. Thankful is an understatement and there are not enough words to describe the amount of talent they have and the wonderful people that they are.

Website: www.marykatefarmer.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/marykatefarmer

Twitter: @marykatefarmer

Facebook: www.facebook.com/marykatefarmer

Youtube: youtube.com/marykatefarmer

Other: tiktok.com/marykatefarmer

Image Credits
Chad Edwards

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