Whether she is commanding a Times Square billboard or captivating an audience with her guitar, Caleigh Barnett knows how to make an impression. In this exclusive Q&A, the multi-talented artist discusses bridging the gap between high fashion and her deep Appalachian roots. She opens up about her debut album, The Maggard Sessions, the experience of recording with her band Flatt Out Blue in a legendary studio, and the emotional weight of acting as a voice for her community. From her philanthropic “Rhythm & Relief Project” to her future songwriting plans, discover how Barnett is turning raw emotion into a lasting legacy.
You’ve modeled on major runways like New York Fashion Week and had a feature on a Times Square billboard. What is the biggest difference in the preparation and mindset between stepping onto a runway and stepping onto a music stage?
The mental preparation it takes to walk onto a runway versus a stage is that on stage I’m sharing who I am as a person with my lyrics and words, while on the runway, I’m focused on how I carry myself and act. When training for a runway show, a lot of physical effort goes into perfecting the walk and hitting every mark; it’s all about the outfit and the attitude you present it with on stage. With a musical performance, the training is more mental; I spend time on memorizing lyrics, chords, and working on my stage presence. Both take lots of practice and training, and the preparation for each makes me more confident, overall.
Your quote, “Where words fail, music speaks,” is powerful. Can you elaborate on how you hope your music, particularly in the debut album, acts as a voice for deep, unspoken emotion?
When people feel emotions so deeply and strongly, sometimes words are truly not enough. Personally, I’ve always found music to be a valuable way to express what I’m feeling and to let it speak for me. Within my music, especially within my songs on our album, The Maggard Sessions, my voice speaks for the raw, heartfelt emotion that people in Appalachia have experienced.
Being a vocalist, guitarist, and the Executive Producer on your debut album is a huge undertaking. How did you balance the various demands of these roles during the recording process?
Singing and playing music are both very strong passions of mine, so taking them into the studio was more exciting than it was demanding. Along with being the executive producer, I found it rewarding to ensure the band and I were always on the same page as we proceeded with the musical aspects of the album. A lot of the heavy lifting of the production was supervised by the legendary Wayne Taylor of Blue Highway, who I was honored to work with.
The Maggard Sessions was recorded at Maggard Recording Studio in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. How did the location and the atmosphere of that specific studio influence the final sound of the album?
The legendary Maggard Recording Studio has been graced by the voices of Dr. Ralph Stanley, Ralph Stanley II, Bill Monroe, Larry Sparks, and many more! Recording at this amazing studio with my band, Flatt Out Blue, was a true honor. Having the opportunity to record here pushed us to work our hardest and put in the effort needed to make this album a success.
Let’s talk about the covers you sing lead on. “Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Patty Loveless is an incredibly moving song about the hardship of life in a coal-mining region. How did you approach covering such an iconic and emotionally heavy song?
“Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Patty Loveless is the National Anthem of Appalachia. It represents our hardworking community and the reality of a coal miner’s life. Approaching this cover, I knew I needed to pour my heart and soul into each word, letting my voice speak for the people of Appalachia. I embraced what it would really feel like to live through this experience, and it helped me connect with the song and portray the emotions authentically.
The album includes four original tracks, with credits going to several of your bandmates. Were there any discussions about including an original song written by you, or are you holding onto those for a future project?
I have a strong love for songwriting, and I absolutely plan to release my work in future projects. For The Maggard Sessions, we discussed that the originals written by my bandmates were more fitting with the overall message and direction of the album.
Your debut is out on all major platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube). What has the reaction been like so far, and what message do you hope fans take away from listening to the collection of songs?
The Maggard Sessions has performed very well across all platforms, with listeners joining in all across the world. Our album has been played in over 13 countries including, Australia, Canada, England, Croatia, Norway, Sweden, and many more! Also, we have been featured on various radio stations in Nashville, and we have received a very good reaction from our fans. We’re very proud of the response! We hope our fans take away a better understanding of our way of life and the values we hold.
Philanthropy is clearly a core passion. How do you integrate the message and values of The Rhythm & Relief Project into your identity as a public figure and musician?
I come from a long line of talented musicians like my Papa Jack who is in the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame! Growing up, I have always been drawn to music and surrounded by people, like my dad, who appreciate the true meaning behind lyrics and the stories they tell. When I first got into modeling and pageantry, I knew I would want to incorporate my passion for music and advocacy, so I founded The Rhythm and Relief Project. This initiative raises funding for various charities by hosting benefit concerts, where I perform solo or with my band, Flatt Out Blue. Pageantry allowed me the opportunity to combine all of my talents with my heart for advocacy, which is a life long commitment.
Aside from the upcoming festivals and shows you have scheduled, what is your next major goal as an artist—is it touring, writing a second album, or perhaps diving into more advocacy work?
As an upcoming artist, I plan to continue performing at many festivals and shows while writing and creating new music along the way! Flatt Out Blue and I plan to get started on a second album soon, and I plan to work more on my own music as well. We are very excited for what’s to come!
Finally, where can fans connect with you and Flatt Out Blue online to keep up with your busy schedule, and are there any videos or live stream events planned for the album?
Fans can follow our journey on my website, CaleighBarnett.com, my band’s YouTube channel, Flatt Out Blue YouTube, our Facebook account, Flatt Out Blue Facebook, and our TikTok account, Flatt Out Blue TikTok. We post various videos and updates across all of these platforms in order for our fans to get in touch with us and stay up to date!
