Exclusive Interview with Dani-elle Kleha

Why country music ?
~ Country Music has always been my favorite. My parents always played it in the house and in the car, so I was basically raised on it. Country music is where I and my music have always felt at home. It has a way of telling a story like no other and to be a small part of it is truly a blessing.

If everything would be possible (waking the dead included) , which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ Patsy Cline and Hank Williams would have to be my first picks. Two incredible country legends like them coming together again on one song would be incredible. Both gone, but live on forever through their music.

What song you ever recorded means the most to you and why?
~ That is a super tough question! Each song means so so much to me, but two of them come to mind. The first would have to be “Pennies from Heaven” as I wrote that after my Papa Danny passed away from lung cancer. Every word in that song is true and he was one of my #1 fans, so I wanted to honor his memory with a song. And second would have to be my current single “Head for Home”. I wrote this one as well after my Mom and I were hit by a drunk driver in a car accident. I found myself asking all of these questions in my head and just sat at the piano and let it all out. I knew I had to release it on the new EP because I knew this was a song that had the potential to really make a difference. And now that it is released, it’s incredible to hear the stories of how people are relating to it. It’s a song asking some of the tough questions and basically saying that it’s ok to not be ok all of the time. To see people singing along in the audience and how it’s making a difference is truly incredible to me. That is what I love about music, it is more powerful than words alone could ever be.

Who would you like to write a song for you?
~ I would love Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose, AKA “The Love Junkies”, to write a song for me. They have written some of my favorite songs in country music and I look up to each one of them as songwriters.

What is the one thing that readers/fans would be surprised to know about you?
~ I always have to have something red in everyday. Whether it be clothes, jewelry, glasses. I always have to have some red on me for good luck!

Give us one country song you never want to hear on radio anymore and tell us why.
~ Hmmmm there really aren’t any that come to mind that I wouldn’t want to hear.

What is the question interviewers never seem to ask you and…you wish they would?
~ I wish I got asked more about behind the scenes and about my team. My band, team and entire crew are a huge part in the successes we achieve. So much goes into shows, tours, recording, releases and so much more. It takes a village and I truly could not do it without any of them. Truly so thankful for them.

Describe the ultimate recording studio
~ My ultimate recording studio is just one that has that warm and home like feel to it. I always like a more dimmed lighting and just a place where the musicians, my team and everyone working on the project feels at home and relaxed.

Johnny or June ?
~ I would say June. She was so talented, took such pride in her music and stood a solid ground on everything she believed in and wanted.

Are you still nervous before going on stage and if so, do you use any “rituals” to calm you nerves.
~ I never really get any kind of nerves before going on stage. But it is always just ritual that my band and team hang out before hand, maybe sing a few songs to warm up just in a casual manner and kind of take everything in.

What was the most memorable day in your musical career and tell us why.
~ The first time I ever won an award I think was something that will forever be in the back of my mind. Each time I step on stage and every new “first” I accomplish on my musical journey is truly so memorable for me. I am so thankful for each and every opportunity that I have and this entire journey I am on.