EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Deidre Thornell Talks New Single ‘Ohio’

Back in August, on-the-rise country music singer/songwriter Deidre Thornell made waves with her newest single titled ‘Ohio’, the track has further enhanced her growing reputation and even landed her, her first Billboard feature on the Nashville Sign in Music City during release week.

Here we chat exclusively with Deidre Thornell to discover more about the single and her upcoming plans:

Congratulations on the new single, how have you found the response so far?

Thank you! I can’t express enough how grateful and joyous I am that this song has resonated with so many people and not just the proud OHIOANS!!! It’s hard to believe, that since the release, my family, friends, and fans from TEXAS (where I’m from) continue to send me selfie videos singing the lyrics to “Ohio”. I truly believe this is because the infectious melody grabs you from the start, and the dreamy music of the track, created by Sal Oliveri, lures you in. But there’s no doubt the heart, love and heartbreak woven through each line of the lyric is as equally captivating. Can you tell I absolutely adore this song???

This seems to be really resonating with listeners, how does that make you feel?

Yes, it really is resonating with listeners – my biggest goal now is to reach a broader audience with this song! I’m so happy, excited, and on cloud 9 from day to day really! It blows me away hearing how people have connected to this song and I love seeing the TikToks of people using “Ohio” as a way to show off their hometowns! So fun!

Can you give us some insight into the writing and recording process?

In 2020, I crossed paths with an Ohio Native, Liz Dorros, who has a varied writing and creative background of her own. She shared some gems with me over coffee one rainy day and knew we were getting ready for a great one. After getting together for a short time for some pandemic writing, we teamed up with heavily sponsored touring guitarist, Tim Pasley to write the first few songs. One day, while at Liz’s house to write, Tim sends over a guitar lick, and I immediately started singing the first line of that song about an old Ohio flame. Me! A Texas girl, living in Tennessee! I was in love, all of a sudden, with Ohio and transported – in that moment feeling everything all at the same time, as if I had written all of it about my first love’s experience. It was absolutely wild how this song came about and how we all connected no matter where we were from because in that moment it was about Ohio, but more about this universal understanding of the path most of us take to get to our forever loves. It clicked and it all came together so easily. I took my new songs to Grammy-nominated producer, Sal Oliveri. Sal loved the song and absolutely gave it the life that it deserves. Being in the studio with Sal is one of the most precious moments that I will always cherish. He is honest, in tune – literally and figuratively speaking! He is one of the most intelligent people I think I’ve ever known in my lifetime. He is just ‘good people’ – and when you have those kinds of humans in your life, you want to cherish these times and you want them in your corner. I’m blessed to have had him watch over this project. This is the first release of my new sound and I’m really excited to be under Sal’s great care and incredible craftsmanship.

What’s been your biggest highlight from the promotional campaign so far?

There is no doubt the biggest and coolest highlight so far for “Ohio” was seeing the album art on the biggest digital billboard in town – The Nashville Sign! It was unbelievable. You can see pictures and a video on my TikTok and IG! It was so amazing. It was a glorious day, and on release day too! It was perfect.

What are your plans to build on the current success?

We have some cool things in the works since one of the co-writers on the song is from the Cleveland area! I’m excited to visit! I can’t wait to get to Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, and Youngstown for starters. We are building up to have a huge year in 2023 – shows, more music, and more! 2023 is going to be a BIG year full of surprises.

Can we expect this release to be the start of a full-length album?

You’ll have to keep following my journey into 2023 – just to be sure not to miss a beat with me!

Looking ahead, what else does the rest of this year hold for you?

Taking over Nashville with more shows and focusing on TikTok! I love getting to connect with everyone on a deeper level. I’m happy to be playing out a lot more, but it’s also been fun this year building on old and new relationships on social media. It’s been very entertaining to watch the reactions of new fans, and fun seeing my personal growth as well. I have an amazing team around me helping me make sure 2023 is going to be the best year yet!

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