Meet “The Voice” Country Artist Presley Tennant
She’s from Horsetown, USA (really) and was mentored by Kelly Clarkson on The Voice when she was just 16 and has shared the stage with the likes of Tim McGraw, John Michael Montgomery and Cody Johnson. She’s a powerhouse singer, with style, grace and charm. And who knows, after this interview, perhaps there’s a fashion line in her future.
Sue Bonzell: She has shared the stage with Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, and Cody Johnson, just to name a few. And she’s been on the voice, Presley Tennant is here today. Welcome Presley.
Presley Tennant: Thank you so much for having me.
Sue Bonzell: I am so excited that you are here. We have a lot to talk about. Of course, you started on The Voice. You were 16 years old on the voice. Tell me about that experience. That’s huge.
Presley Tennant: Okay. Well, thank you. The Voice to me was such an incredible experience. Just because, I mean, I was so young at the time and I learned so much, not only as an artist, but as myself away from music. I mean, I went on the show as a pop artist and I left the show as a country artist. And I feel like a lot of people are like, how does that happen? But during that time I did so much, almost of soul searching. Trying to find who I was, and what my sound was, and what ultimately made me happy. And it led me right back to my roots and kind of where I’m from. And so I ended up in country music and I couldn’t be more happy with where I’m at.
Sue Bonzell: Oh, well, I’m glad you’re in country music too. So now I’m assuming that Kelly Clarkson, she’s kind of like that too. She’s super pop and that’s kind of where she was. But then she dips into the country music, and when she does it’s like, whoa.
Presley Tennant: Oh yeah, she is a force to be reckoned with, with crossover genres and whatnot. She is absolutely amazing at what she does, just because she’s so versatile. And she’s able to really hone in on each and every song that she’s doing. Whether it’s a rock song, or a pop song, to a country song. She’s amazing.
Sue Bonzell: Now she was your coach, correct?
Presley Tennant: Oh yeah.
Sue Bonzell: Yes. Oh my gosh. How incredible is that? I mean, is she really as cool as everybody says she is?
Presley Tennant: Everything that you see on TV, is like that and beyond. She is just the most humble, and genuine, authentic person you will ever meet. And she taught me so much. And I really looked up to her before going on the voice. I mean, she was my first concert ever. I used to sing her song because of you at every little talent show everywhere. I’m sure there’s videos up of it on YouTube somewhere. And so when she was my coach, it was just like, my idol has now become one of my friends. And it was so cool to see that happen.
Sue Bonzell: What an incredible experience. And I think, I’ve listened to a lot of your music, as I’m finding out all these little tidbits about you and everything. I’m listening to music and I’m like, man, you have grown a ton. Now you have a new song out, Gamble on, is it Gamble on You?
Presley Tennant: Yes, it is.
Sue Bonzell: Gamble on You. And the video, how much fun was the video? That’s an incredible video too, by the way.
Presley Tennant: Thank you. It was so much fun. Especially having my friends and family there for all of it. And just to kind of be able to do my own thing and still be really comfortable with having everyone around it. And really getting to put my say into what the music video is and what the song is. And it’s finally out for everyone to finally see. And it’s so exciting.
Sue Bonzell: It is. Well, you did a phenomenal job with that with the whole, the whole thing is super fun. And I got to tell you, this song, you have such power in your voice. That’s just incredible. And I do hear kind of like that influence of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. So, incredible music. If you’re not already following Presley Tennant, you need to do that right now and go download Gamble on You right now and go check out the video too, for sure. Let’s talk a little bit more about where you’re from. You talked about your roots, you’re from California.
Presley Tennant: I am.
Sue Bonzell: So tell us about your hometown, small hometown, right?
Presley Tennant: Yeah. I am from California in a small little town called Norco or also known as horse town USA.
Sue Bonzell: Is that an official term?
Presley Tennant: It is. Yeah. So if you just look up California, horse town USA, it’ll pop up.
Sue Bonzell: No kidding.
Presley Tennant: Yeah. And so everyone there obviously has horses, it’s known for it’s horse property. And I mean, you’re going down the street in your car and you’re going to see people in the drive through at Taco Bell, or Starbucks or something like that. And I was like, oh, that’s really cool. And I saw a video of it on TikTok and I was like, oh my God, that’s Norco, that’s right next to me. And she was like yeah, it is Norco. And I was like, this is so funny.
Sue Bonzell: That is hilarious.
Presley Tennant: So everyone around me, everyone knows everybody, which is really cool. And it’s just a very, very, I don’t know. It’s just like your typical kind of hometown. But I don’t know, it’s just so special to me.
Sue Bonzell: So it can be dangerous being, I came from a small town too in Northern California. And it’s kind of like when everybody knows everybody, especially when you’re younger, y’all can’t get away with anything. Mama knows. She’s going to hear from somebody, right?
Presley Tennant: Oh my gosh. She’s going to hear from somebody and it’s not going to be a good day at that, when she finds out about it.
Sue Bonzell: Exactly. Exactly. Now, do you ride horses at all?
Presley Tennant: I have when I was younger. But then I haven’t done it since. Yeah.
Sue Bonzell: Yeah. You went to music, so… Now you play the piano and the guitar too, right?
Presley Tennant: A little bit. Yes I do.
Sue Bonzell: Yes. I’m very impressed. I’m very impressed. I’m always impressed with anybody who can play the guitar or play the piano. Well, the guitar too. But the piano just to me is just so beautiful and you do it so well. How long have you been playing?
Presley Tennant: I started, I want to say a little bit before high school. But it was just like the basic chords, just kind of learning everything. And then finally kind of learned music theory in high school. And I was like, okay, I’ll use this. Never used it. So I just go by ear now.
Sue Bonzell: There you go.
Presley Tennant: We’re just going to call it at that.
Sue Bonzell: You have that talent though. So you can do that.
Presley Tennant: I mean, I’m definitely not a Beethoven or whoever plays piano like that. Definitely not. But just enough to get by.
Sue Bonzell: It sounds wonderful. You do a great job. Now I got a comment on your earrings. They are beautiful. I love them. Now you kind of have this great style about you. You got fringe on everything. She got fringe on the booth. She got fringe on the jackets. Is that kind of like a signature style for you?
Presley Tennant: I would say so. I do love me some fringe. I love me some like little sass in there somewhere. It’s got to be in at least something. Whether it’s fringe or like diamonds or something like that. I don’t know. I love it.
Sue Bonzell: Fringe and bling. That’s her new line of clothing coming out soon. Presley Tennant fringe and bling. See, we come up with really good ideas on this show., I’m telling you. So now I found out that you are an ambassador of the SOS Foundation. What is that? And how are you representing them?
Presley Tennant: So SOS is a foundation that was created to help at risk youth who are going through different things such as bullying, peer pressure, cyber bullying, depression, anxiety, anything that you can really think of along those lines. We want to be the outlet that people know that they can reach out to when they’re in these dark times. And when they feel like they’re alone and that no one wants to hear their story, we want to be there for them. And we let them know that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Sue Bonzell: That is awesome. Now, did you have any experience like that? Any bullying or anything like that when you were younger?
Presley Tennant: I would say during high school. And then as well as being in the public eye when I was on The Voice and having so many, I wouldn’t even say critiques, but just unnecessary comments about the way someone looks or how they sound. Things that people can’t control right then and there. I feel like… I don’t know, I saw something a little while ago and it was like, if you can’t fix something within five minutes, don’t bring it up. Because it’s not worth it. That could be something that somebody is so insecure about. And why bring it up? So, that’s something that’s always stuck with me. So yes. Getting back to where we’re going. Yeah. I would say that during high school and then on The Voice, I definitely had a little bit of it.
Sue Bonzell: Yeah. Yeah. I could see that. I mean, everybody wants to be a critic. And like I tell people all the time, until you are up on stage, or getting in front of a camera, or creating content and doing that, you’ll never know how hard it is. It’s a lot of work. And you deserve the kudos, not the criticism. It’s not what we’re here for, right? Well, you did bring your guitar. I’m hoping you’ll be willing to play a song for us.
Presley Tennant: Yes, I can. I can play my new song. Gamble on You.
Sue Bonzell: Oh good. I’m so excited. And of course, I like to play a game on my show as well. So we can do that after we hear your song. We’re going to take a little break, and when we come back, Presley Tennant’s going to play her new song, gamble on You.
Presley Tennant: Hey everyone. This is my song. Gamble on You. Three AM and you’re pulling me in. Tattooed skin and a little bit of [inaudible 00:08:31] green eyes got me feeling right. And your smile got me hypnotized. Some say it’s a dangerous game. What a shame if I didn’t play. If you play your cards and now I roll my dice, I’m all in if I’m yours tonight. Don’t be a Joker or play me for a fool. Come on baby, show me your next move. I’ll be the queen to your king, since you asked me to. Don’t fall now, because I’m taking a gamble on you. Dim down the lights, I got to seat to my left and it’s yours tonight. Losing track of time cause I can’t seem to get you off my mind. Show me [inaudible 00:09:45] we both can see.
My love ain’t free, so how much you want to bet on me. Don’t be a Joker or play me for a fool. Come on baby. Show me your next move. I’ll be the queen to your king, since you asked me to. But don’t fall now, cause I’m taking a gamble on you. Don’t be a Joker or play me for a fool. Come on baby. Show me your next move. Don’t be a Joker, or play me for a fool. Come on baby, show me your next move. I’ll be the queen to your king since you asked me to. But don’t fall now, because I’m taking a gamble on you. Taking a gamble. Taking a gamble on you.
Sue Bonzell: Okay Presley Tennant, Gamble on You. Thank you so much for playing that song. I just love that song. You do it so well.
Presley Tennant: Oh my gosh. Thank you so much.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. Make sure you guys are downloading that song and go check out the video too. It’s a killer video, so. All right. Are you ready to play a little game?
Presley Tennant: I am definitely ready to play a game.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. Is my world-famous game here we do at Up and Country. It’s not truth or dare. We play truth or truth. It’s all about the truth. You always win.
Presley Tennant: Sounds good.
Sue Bonzell: Always winning. So you get to pick your own questions. You ready to pick a question? Okay.
Presley Tennant: All right. If you could swap lives with anyone, who would it be? Ooh, Ooh. I don’t know. Probably a fashion designer of some sort.
Sue Bonzell: Ooh, that’s fun.
Presley Tennant: Kind of see what their lives would be. I don’t know who for sure. But just so I can go to all the New York Fashion Week, the Paris Fashion Week and whatnot. And sit down and be like, oh, that’s my design. I could just swap our lives for that. I would do that.
Sue Bonzell: So we already started that. Right? So we’re going to start your clothing line?
Presley Tennant: Yeah. Fringe and bling.
Sue Bonzell: Was it fringe and bling? We got it. So look, we’re already setting things in motion, right? It’s amazing.
Presley Tennant: I wouldn’t even need to switch live with somebody at that point. [inaudible 00:12:52]
Sue Bonzell: Right, you’d be like sorry, it’s mine. Thank you.
Presley Tennant: Exactly.
Sue Bonzell: Awesome. Okay. You want to do another one?
Presley Tennant: Yes. Sure.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. All right.
Presley Tennant: What’s the one thing you’d do if you knew there were no consequences?
Sue Bonzell: Oh, that’s always a good one.
Presley Tennant: Ooh, I don’t know.
Sue Bonzell: No consequences, not going to get caught.
Presley Tennant: I don’t know. I’m kind of a rule follower.
Sue Bonzell: A rule follower. She’s not a rule breaker.
Presley Tennant: So I don’t know. They’re all kind of out of the question.
Sue Bonzell: Huh. You’re like, no, no, no.
Presley Tennant: I wouldn’t say streaking because I feel like I’d be mortified. But even though there’d be no consequences, I’d be like, people are still watching. I can’t do it. I don’t know for that one.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. So I’ll tell you what most of the men answer, and it’s hilarious because it’s consistent.
Presley Tennant: Is it streaking?
Sue Bonzell: It’s not streaking.
Presley Tennant: I wouldn’t think that’s what theirs would be.
Sue Bonzell: No, I think they want people to look if they’re going to go streaking. No, the dudes usually answer rob a bank. It’s so cowboy gangster, seriously.
Presley Tennant: I did a money heist escape room the other day. And that thing was so complicated. I really imagine how a normal bank robbery would be. That does not even sound fun. Right?
Sue Bonzell: Too stressful.
Presley Tennant: I’m like screw the money. I don’t care. I’ll just work for it, gosh.
Sue Bonzell: Especially. Exactly. Okay. Well see, this is good. This is good. I like this. Okay. So there will be no streaking in Presley’s future.
Presley Tennant: Or bank robbing.
Sue Bonzell: Or bank robbing. Exactly. Okay.
Presley Tennant: That’s too stressful. Let’s do a different one. When was the last time you cried? I think it was last week.
Sue Bonzell: Aw. Yeah. Was it a good cry, or what kind of cry?
Presley Tennant: No, it was over something really dumb. It was, I think I was just having a little moment where I just needed to shed a few tears.
Sue Bonzell: We’re allowed to do that, right?
Presley Tennant: Oh yeah. But not over someone eating my food.
Sue Bonzell: Wasn’t something big like that.
Presley Tennant: No, I just was, I was a little emotional during those days.
Sue Bonzell: And you know what? That is absolutely okay. Right? It’s okay for us to be emotional. I get emotional over songs all the time. Especially if I’m in church, then it’s like, forget about it. I got to bring a tissue, I’m water works. That’s the way it goes. Okay. Well you’re okay now. You recovered from the moment. We have our moments, right?
Presley Tennant: No one is eating the rest of my food anymore, we are good.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. We’re learning boundaries with Presley’s food. Okay?
Presley Tennant: And don’t mess with me when I’m hangry.
Sue Bonzell: Right? Yeah. Don’t touch that.
Presley Tennant: No, that’s okay. I’m usually nice. I swear. Sometimes.
Sue Bonzell: Sometimes, you guess.
Presley Tennant: I would like to say I’m nice. We’ll move on to the next question.
Sue Bonzell: I think you’re nice. I think you’re nice. Well, if you want to do another one, we can do another one.
Presley Tennant: Oh, I don’t know.
Sue Bonzell: You can if you want.
Presley Tennant: We’ll do one more.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. One more. She says one more.
Presley Tennant: We got to end on a high note. All right. What have you bought that’s been the biggest waste of your money? I had an Amazon gift card and I bought Heelys with it two years ago and I never used them. I thought I was going to bring them back. I did not.
Sue Bonzell: Heelys. Oh, they’re so fun. You get to be my age though, anything on wheels is dangerous.
Presley Tennant: I put them on. I was like, how did I do this? I’m going to break my arm right now. And I don’t think I need to do that. So those were returned.
Sue Bonzell: Okay. Okay. Good. All right. There you go. All right. She got the money back on the Heelys. Okay. We’re not bringing back that style. We’re going to bring back the bling and fringe. fringe and bling.
Presley Tennant: Yup, fringe and bling.
Sue Bonzell: Fringe and bling. That’s what we’re doing. That’s what it’s all about.
Presley Tennant: Oh Yeah.
Sue Bonzell: Well Presley, I want to thank you so much for being here, taking the time to chat with us. Play your song. I wish you all the best. What is what’s next for you? You have a song coming up for Father’s Day, correct?
Presley Tennant: I released this song last year and it’s called Half That Strong that I wrote about my dad. And we’re re-releasing it this year and I’m very excited for everyone to hear it again.
Sue Bonzell: Oh, awesome. It’ll be perfect for Father’s Day. That’s awesome. Okay. Presley Tennant. Go find and follow her. Download that music. And of course follow us on Up in Country too.
Thanks for watching Up in Country. Be sure to like and subscribe and leave us a comment. We do new episodes every Tuesday. And be sure to follow Up in Country on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. And you can follow me too @SueBonzell on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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