Page 65 - The Hunt - Winter 2023/24

(Above and below) Simmons performs an outdoor set this past August at the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance in West Chester.
she has a clear vision for how she wants each song to sound.” Sanford’s brother-in-law Eli Born has also been an invaluable ally.
The cinematographer has directed music videos for Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line and others. His skilled hand is behind the clip for Simmons’ “Harley T-Shirt” single, which you can see on YouTube.
A lover of all things vintage, Simmons frequents Malena’s Vintage Boutique in West Chester and various Goodwill locations. “When I find something unique and put together a cool outfit, I feel like that’s art,” she says. “Fast fashion is killing our planet and making us all the same. We need to get back to a place where it’s about self-expression and a work of art.”
Though leaving Nashville may not have been ideal for her career, Simmons is embracing her ties to this region. Brandywine Creek figures prominently in her “Stupid & Beautiful” video, and she’s performed
at Kennett Square’s Creamery, the Queen in Wilmington and other local venues. “We’re starting to get some headway. It’s made everything so much better to start getting more live experience,” Simmons says. “Every show I get more confident, and whiskey is a nice helper for me.”
Simmons hasn’t ruled out performing in Nashville sometime soon. She’s working on a debut album, and she hopes to grow her fanbase before releasing it. “I don’t want to put the past five to six years’ worth of work out for it to get to nobody’s ears,” she says. “I want to have the proper team behind me when I do that.”
And though she has a deep appreciation for country music, she isn’t tied to any one style. Authenticity is huge. “I really believe in not putting myself in a box,” she says. “My songs come from the heart. They’re all truthful, real stories. If it feels authentic, that’s all I care about.”
Follow Carly Simmons on Instagram @carlysimmonsmusic.
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