Utah native Savannah Keyes is country music’s latest sensation: following the release of several hit singles, all eyes are now on her in anticipation of her next move. Keyes began writing songs at age 13, when she was granted the opportunity to perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She was offered her first record deal that year, prompting her to move to Nashville and find her voice as an artist within the community. In 2018, she participated in USA Network’s Real Country, where contestants competed for a grand prize of $100,000 and the chance to sing at the esteemed concert hall, Grand Ole Opry. Today, Keyes serves as a radio host and correspondent for Radio Disney Country's "Let The Girls Play,” highlighting top news and music from country females. Get to know the singer as she shares the inspiration behind her hit songs and discusses the future of country music.

When did you first develop your passion for country music?

I‘ve always loved country music. I grew up singing along to Dixie Chicks, Diamond Rio, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton and more artists from the backseat of my mom’s car. After she and I first visited Nashville when I was seven, I quickly realized that it was where I needed to be if I wanted to be a songwriter and artist in that genre.

Who are some country artists that inspire you and why?

I‘m a fan of artists that make me feel like I‘m their friend when I‘m just a fan attending their show, and I’m also inspired by people who carve their own lane within the genre. Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Little Big Town and country newcomers like Jillian Jaqueline, Ingrid Andress and Bailey Bryan encompass both of those for me.

What inspired your hit song, “Hypocrite?”

I‘ve written songs in the past that acknowledge friends of mine and their struggles, but I was always too afraid to display my own battles. I wanted to write something that changed that. I think “not practicing what you preach” is something we‘ve all been guilty of at one point or another. I would constantly be the friend giving out advice but not taking it myself. Writing and performing “Hypocrite” made me accountable. I believed in the song since the day I wrote it with Deanna Walker and Justin Morgan, but you never know what‘ll resonate with someone. It was a happy surprise that fans responded so well to it.

How does “Hypocrite” differ from “Ghost?”

Entering your 20s is scary, amazing, high, low and everything in between. “Hypocrite” was the first chapter for me at this time of my life. Being a 20-something-year-old girl, I‘m constantly evolving, and being an artist gives me the opportunity to share that with people. “Ghost” is a page closer to me reaching my second chapter. I can’t wait to find out what this next chapter is for me.

What is it like being a host of Radio Disney’s “Let The Girls Play?”

I never thought I would wake up and be lucky enough to say, “This week, I get to write songs, play a couple of shows and host a radio show with my best friend.” It’s absolutely surreal. I‘m so lucky that Radio Disney has given me a platform to cheer on my favorite female country artists. We have the cutest studio in Nashville, right on Music Row, and it feels like a full-circle moment. I would come back and forth from Utah and Nashville when I was 13 to write songs. I would dream about seeing my name and face on a banner on Music Row. Although it isn’t for a number-one song yet, I pinch myself every day that I get to drive past my own sign on Music Row. I still wonder how I got here.

What’s your favorite part of your job? What’s the most challenging part?

The most rewarding part is the fans. They make this so much fun. I wake up every morning and look forward to going on social media to see what funny memes they sent or kind comments they wrote. We all want to be heard, and it makes my day to know someone is listening. They get me through challenging times and keep me going.

In your eyes, what is the future of country music?

Country music is evolving so quickly, it’s hard to predict what the future of the genre will look like. There’s a new generation of artists who are rising here in Nashville that I work with, and I‘m so excited to see where their path takes them.

What is your endgame? What do you ultimately hope to accomplish in the future?

I have so many dreams and bucket-list moments that I want to experience. Soon, I hope to be on tour with some of the artists I look up to so I can learn from them. That would lead to my long-term goal of headlining my own show.