Featuring Grammy Nominated Artist Jenni Lyn Gardner
MEET JENNI
meet della mae
I've known Jenni Lyn since she was knee high to a grasshopper. She is my best friend's little sister. so, you can imagine how much time I spent around her growing up. She was a feisty little thing that rebelled against conformity, and was always pickin' on some kind of stringed instrument. It's been no surprise to all of us who knew her when, that she's now a famous musician. Jenni plays the guitar, the mandolin, the banjo, and sings like a bird. Plus, she is currently a member of the all girl Bluegrass group "Della Mae."
1. Let's start this off with the important stuff. Style! How would you describe yours?
Yes! Let's jump right in!! I like to wear pieces that have a story.. for example, my favorite hat is a Stetson I found on the ground at a bluegrass festival. It's perfectly worn in and floppy, so much so that it has the name Old Floppy. I maybe could have gone to the store and found something new like it, but I would not love it as much, because it wouldn't have a story. The jewelry that I wear I have collected traveling or has been given to me by special people in my life. A lot of times I'll wear a good pair of jeans and boots with a vintage t-shirt or sweater I find at a thrift store.
Rocking "Old Floppy" while on holiday in St. Croix.
Click the button below for details on how to can get your own {but new} "Old Floppy."
2. What's your favorite fashion trend of all time?
Bell Bottoms
True Religion - Karlie Low Rise Bell Bottoms
gypsy- walk right in BELL BOTTOMS
3. What's your current fashion obsession?
Fringe
Ecote Fringe Bucket Bag
$69
Ecote Fringe Bucket Bag
$69
WHole lotta shakin' dress
$42
WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' DRESS
$42
4. You were on the road for 212 days last year. How do you pack for that?
It's true! I am on the road A LOT! I pack pieces that are versatile so I can pair them in different ways. One time on a 5 week trip, I packed only 1 pair of shoes: cowboy boots. Boots are king, because they look great on stage, yet are comfortable for travel! I even did some hiking in them. I try to put together mini capsule wardrobes by packing one pair of nice jeans or pants, leggings and/or tights, maybe a dress, a couple of shirts, a vest, a scarf, one jacket that, again, is versatile (and compact), a pair of boots, maybe a pair of heals or wedges, one pair of running shoes, flip flops (I like to have flip flops even when it's cold out for walking around on hotel room floors), work out clothes, pajamas and jewelry that compliments the clothing that I pack. I try to bring a hat or two as well. A cute felt hat to wear on stage and at festivals, and a trucker hat are my go to's.
Just like Jenni Lyn, I personally live and breathe in my cowboy boots. Click the link below for details on how to purchase the most comfortable pair of shoes you'll ever own!!
5. How do you stay sane while touring and being in such close quarter for long periods of time?
Great question that has taken me years to perfect! I always carry my iPhone, ear buds, a good book, my favorite essential oils, my journal, a water bottle and a blanket. I can entertain myself for hours while staying relatively comfortable.
6. What's your favorite snack to take on tour?
LARA Bars: they are one of the few bars that have real ingredients like fruit and nuts with no artificial additives. They have saved my life more than once.
7. Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Brushing my teeth and maybe dabbing on a little perfume. I like to smell good on stage!
8. How do you reacclimatize yourself to Nashville/home after being on the road?
Cooking. I get right in to the kitchen. I usually go to the grocery store as soon as I get home to stock up on fresh ingredients and then cook a meal. I love to clean out the refrigerator and cook enough to have left overs so when I look inside there are containers with yummy food there. It makes me feel grounded and calm, not to mention, having prepped food helps me stick with healthy eating habits.
9. In 2014 your band Della Mae was nominated for a Grammy. How did you feel the moment you heard about the news?
I screamed to the top of my lungs.. I'm pretty sure I caused the band hearing loss.
10. How did you feel that night when you didn't hear your named called?
I really wanted to win, but it wasn't devastating to loose to the legendary, Del McCoury Band. Being a grammy loser ain't so bad.
THE 2014 grammy awards
THE 2014 Grammy Awards
11. Did you have a fan moment at the Grammys and if yes, with who?
Um.. YES!! Beyonce. She opened the show and was walking around the floor all night looking flawless. I could not keep my eyes off of her!
12. What is your favorite singer/musician/band?
I have too many to choose one so I'll list some of my favorite NEW(er) artists, Shovels & Rope, Jason Isbell, Ashley Monroe, Sarah Siskind, Chris Stapleton, I'm With Her... I could go on and on.
**Side note SHOVEL & ROPE will be playing in Wilmington, NC March 18th at the Brooklyn Arts Center. I already have my tickets, click HERE to get yours. Click the photos for information on each artist.
shovels & Rope
sarah siskind
jason isbell
chris stapleton
Ashely monroe
i'm with her
della mae in kyrgyzstan
della mae at The Centro Cultural basil estados unidos in sao paulo
13. Della Mae has traveled extensively as Cultural Ambassadors on behalf of the U.S. State Department's American Music Abroad program. Can you elaborate on what all of this mean, and how your band was chosen for such an honor?
Yes, absolutely. We actually had some friends who did AMA before us and loved it. There is an audition process and we found out where they were sending us after we were selected to go. The first trip was to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakstan, and Kyrgyzstan in 2012 and we've since visited Saudi Arabia, United Arab Immigrates, Brazil, The Marshall Islands, Guyana, and Bangladesh. In a nutshell, our mission is diplomacy through music, so we set out to make friends in the countries we visit by sharing a piece of American culture which for us is bluegrass music. By doing this, we have the incredible fortune to share in their culture at the same time.
della mae in pakistan
14. In all of your traveling, what country would you say has been your favorite to visit?
I loved Brazil! Brazilians are very warm and friendly.. they greet you with a huge smile and warm hug and kiss.. being a Southern girl and a hugger, I ate it up. I enjoyed my share of caipirinhas and BBQ as well!
15. What place(s) are you most excited about traveling to during this years tour?
Vietnam. We are going on another State Department trip there and it looks gorgeous in photos. I plan on eating my weight in PHO.
*PHO is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, herbs, and usually beef or chicken. It's delicious!
16. How cool was it to be mentioned in "Rolling Stone?"
The coolest!
17. Do you have any other hobbies besides playing music?
Cooking, working out, canoeing, kayaking, going to shows.
18. What is you most prize possession?
Probably my first guitar. It was given to me by my Grandma, and my parents had my name hand painted on it for my 7th birthday. I still play it
jenni lyn playing with her nieces and hoping she'll carry on tHe family tradition.