Meet Ally Venable: Musician/Entertainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ally Venable and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ally, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I wanted to pursue an artistic/creative career because that has always been my passion since I was younger. I really enjoy helping people feel happy through my music and content that I create. It’s something I’ve always gravitated towards, and have always wanted to build on.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a guitar player from Kilgore, TX. My musical style originates from blues music, and leans on the rockier side of the genre! I have an awesome band, Elijah Owings on drums, Braeden Stubbs on bass & Fernando De Los Santos on keys. I’m most proud when I’m able to obtain the goals that I set for myself , big or small. In 2019, I reached one of my goals by going on my first Europe tour. It was a very exciting time & I learned and grew so much as a musician from doing that tour. I’m also excited about putting out my 4th album in Feb. 2021 called “Heart Of Fire.” with Ruf Records. I had the privilege of working with Jim Gaines. He had worked with/produced artists like: Carlos Santana, Journey, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Miller, etc. I’m looking forward to people hearing this record!! Being a musician is definitely not easy, there are a lot of blood, sweat & tears, late nights, and sacrifices you have to make in pursuing a music career, but the rewards of this life are worth all of that. There are a few lessons I have learned along the way and one of the few is that you can’t please everyone, or make every single person like you or what you’re doing, but there are people out there that are going to LOVE you, and your music. And if I could shed some light , or give any advice to an aspiring musician is don’t ever stop trying, play the songs you want to play, write the songs you want to write, love who you want to love & don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I would say my story is that I’m just a girl who likes to play her guitar and enjoys making other people happy playing it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well I do live in a small town so it would only take a day to explore whats happen’ in good ‘ole Kilgore, TX. I really do love Kilgore as I’m getting into my 20’s, and that small town feel. Being able to get around town to where you want to go in a bout 5 mins and free parking is always a plus. The first place I would introduce is my favorite place to eat In Kilgore (and a town favorite) is The Backporch. Jackie & Vicki Clayton are amazing people & that’s where I played one of my first shows when I started to play guitar & I still have my annual Birthday show there every year! My favorite thing to get is their chips & queso, and there chicken strips are amazing as well. Then I would hop over to the downtown area and visit my good friend Jacque Henly, owner of ‘Everything That Blings’ boutique. All of the performance dresses I wear on stage are from there as well as the beautiful jewelry. She has an amazing store and its definitely a place you don’t want to miss! The Main Street area has some other cool shops to see & Kilgore also has some cool museums to go visit like the Oil Museum & Broadcast museum too. And, occasionally I like to go fishing on either Lake Nachoniche or Lake Tyler with my dad & brother.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many individuals that have helped guide me on my musical journey, and I’m very fortunate to have such a great community and support system around me, whether it be my musician friends, family, and of course my fans! I would like to dedicate my shout-out to my friend, Mike Zito. He is an amazing guitar player & has helped me along the way as far as introducing me to Ruf Records (the label I’m currently with,) producing my last album “Texas Honey.” and really pushing me to do my best! I would also like to thank my parents. They have instilled a good “do-it-yourself “work ethic in me from a young age and I’m very grateful for that, and they have always supported me with my musical endeavors.

Website: www.allyvenableband.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/allyvenableband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/allyvenableband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/allyvenableband
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/allyvenableband
Other: www.patreon.com/allyvenable www.twitch.tv/allyvenableband

Image Credits
Photos by: Lindsay Steele