Baylee Littrell Shares How Carrie Underwood Inspired His New Music
Baylee Littrell’s journey on Season 23 of American Idol ended before reaching the Top 14, but his music aspirations continue to thrive post the show. Following the launch of his recent track “Hey Jesus,” the son of Backstreet Boys star Brian Littrell discussed his musical path and how Carrie Underwood’s influence resonated with him.
Reflecting on Underwood’s advice, Littrell shared, “One cool thing Carrie Underwood told me, she said, ‘Dude, you are your own genre, so don’t try to pigeonhole yourself and try to create it.'” Although predominantly performing country music on the singing contest, Littrell now infuses elements of gospel and soft rock into his compositions. “I’m still taking the elements of country where I’ve been for the last seven years and implementing that towards more signer-songwriter soft rock elements,” he explained, expressing his desire to blend various musical genres into his unique style.
While he looks forward to releasing more religious-themed songs along the way, they will embark on a separate journey distinct from the album he is currently crafting. With a blend of folk, country, singer-songwriter, and soft rock compositions in the pipeline, Littrell expressed his happiness in dedicating music to God amidst shaping his identity as an artist.
Balancing online college studies with live shows and music production, Littrell anticipates an upcoming chapter of authenticity and vulnerability in his work. “The chapter that’s coming next is based on just me being completely vulnerable and me being real with people and not holding back,” he said, hinting at the raw and unfiltered nature of his new songs. The artist revealed his intention to present a collection of live studio takes and completely acoustic tracks, emphasizing the simplicity and heartfelt essence of his upcoming music.
Despite his American Idol journey concluding during the Top 20 phase earlier this year, Littrell remains undeterred and focused on his passion for creating music. Alongside fellow contestants, he experienced elimination on April 21, signaling a fresh chapter in his musical odyssey. Without compromising on his artistic integrity, Littrell continues to inspire listeners with his creative evolution and faith-infused musical endeavors.