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

Hi Brenna, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want my legacy to leave behind a profound appreciation for love and community. When I moved to Nashville, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a place where each person brings their talents in hopes of success. As I began to make friends in the bluegrass community here, I never felt that anyone was going to push me down in order to achieve their own goals. Instead, we’ve all been working together to keep the ocean full of creative life, and the ships rise! We celebrate each other and I haven’t felt that anyone has had malicious intentions in this bluegrass community. So I’d love to pass on a legacy that holds a sense of gratitude for those around us, and help others tap into the blessing of friendships.

As for what I hope is remembered about me, I hope that those who know me will think back fondly on our interactions and feel like they could always be themselves around me. I hope that folks remember that I cared a lot about them and wanted to help them process grief and sorrow, joy and euphoria, through my music. I hope that I will be remembered as kind and silly, and that they have my permission (if from no one else) to go through life without taking it so seriously!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think of myself as a singer first, banjo player second, and songwriter third. I was born in Lexington, Kentucky and I grew up in Winchester (home of ale8, best soft drink ever). My family had always been immersed in music and having moved to Kentucky from Texas before I was born, it seemed fitting to approach bluegrass at some point.

I’ve been singing harmonies for forever, all credit of that going to my mom who was intentional about singing to me and my siblings early on. I began playing banjo when I was nine, reluctantly at first, but as soon as I learned my first song I enjoyed it. For me, banjo playing seemed to fulfill an intellectual hunger I had as a kid. The muscle memory that was acquired with the rolls accompanied with reading tablature at full speed really made me feel capable and smart at a young age. I loved being able to perform a song I had learned and I took a lot of pride in quick memorization.

In college (I attended Berea College) I needed extra credit over a summer and I signed up for a songwriting course. Learning the basics of rhyming patterns and the differences between story songs, ballads, anthems, poetry etc was enough to light a little songwriting fire and I began to piddle paddle in it. My writing has evolved a lot but I typically write out from dreams I have, personal processing, and I’ve recently begun more intentional writing via cowriting. It’s a fun mystical journey with endless outcomes, always an adventure.

I hope any average Joe will be able to relate to my art in some way that impacts them positively. Whether it being the opportunity to dance and sway to banjo rhythms, hum along to my singing, or relate to a story I tell, I hope my art brings perspective and feelings to anyone who experiences it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I may have a boring answer for this one, because you can probably do the things that I enjoy doing with a bestie just about anywhere. I am extremely fond of overpriced lattes and food (which there is PLENTY of here in Nashville) and I love long walks. Nashville is big city vibes, but they have some great trails, walkways and parks with differing views to take in. I love variety and nature so I have a few spots that I like to go to for long walks with pals. But I don’t really want to say where because I would hate for those trails to be over flooded lol.

As far as hot spots, I love to take folks to see live music at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge, Station Inn, American Legion Post 82 or Music City Bar & Grill. These are places I frequent anyways and so I usually know what nights the best bands are playing. I like to go peruse vintage clothing stores or antique malls for hidden treasures as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Awww… my shoutout goes to my brother, Theo MacMillan. He has had my back since before I can remember. We’ve gone through everything together our whole lives and he’s been through the worst times with me while allowing me to lean on him through it. We started a bluegrass band together (Theo & Brenna Band) when I moved down here to Nashville, and that allowed us both to grow musically and professionally while working on ourselves. Theo is the reason I quit drinking alcohol, which probably saved my life and music career. He encouraged me and dealt with my negativity in the early months of sobriety. We have now moved into new phases of pursuing our music individually, but we will always be there for each other and are in each other’s daily lives for life. I am so thankful for him.

Website: www.brennamacmillan.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brennamacmillanofficial/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Brenna-MacMillan-100089484241246/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSEoxDWjdCtsduluwB10qcg

Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brennamacbanjo

Image Credits
Sophie Clark, Michael Gomez, Thomas Beck, Bethany Carson

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