In the Country with Dave Woods:
Kasey Nugent

Welcome to the Spotlight, Kasey! Congratulations on your brand-new release, “Amnesia”. What is the story behind the song?
Thanks for having me, Dave! “Amnesia” is a song about that messy cycle we all know too well – you tell yourself you’re done with a guy who plays games, but the second you see him out at a party or whatever, all the red flags disappear. One look, one smile, and suddenly you forget everything he’s put you through. I’ve been shaping this song for a while now, rewriting it as I’ve grown and figured out my voice as an artist.

Who are the artists who have influenced & inspired you?
I grew up surrounded by music – my grandpa and my dad are both musicians and songwriters, and watching them play and sing instilled my love for music and performing. My dad also introduced me to country artists like Taylor Swift and The Chicks, and all those hours of listening to music together in my room sparked my passion for storytelling in songs.

I developed a deeper love for country music on my own and discovered female artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, and, more recently, Megan Moroney. I admire how each of them writes songs that women can connect with while also building distinct brands through music and style. They inspire me not only as a songwriter, but also as someone working to establish my own unique brand.

What is your favourite part about writing songs?
One of my favourite parts about writing songs is that it gives me a space to reflect on my experiences. I can celebrate the highs, vent about the lows, and maybe even poke a little fun at myself or someone else in the process. For me, songwriting is like therapy to process what I was feeling in that moment. I also love performing new songs live and seeing how people react and connect to them.

What advice would you give to a new songwriter?
I’d tell a new songwriter not to expect every idea to be their best, and not to get discouraged when a song doesn’t come out “perfect” right away. I find that songs can often evolve through rewrites and edits, and sometimes the version you end up with is very different from what you first imagined – but it still tells the story you wanted to tell. That’s part of the process. I’d also say to write songs for yourself, not just what you think people want to hear. That’s where the most authentic music comes from, and it’s advice I try to remind myself of every time I write

If you could write a song with any other writer, who would you choose & why?
I would love the chance to work with Megan Moroney. What draws me to her is how honest and conversational her songwriting feels. She has a knack for turning personal stories into something so many young women can connect to, and that’s the kind of music that inspired me to start writing in the first place. I also feel like our styles would complement each other well in a co-write, and I’d love to see how she could put her spin on one of my song ideas.

What part of the music business do you find the most challenging so far?
Balancing the creative side with the business side is a challenge. Writing songs and performing come naturally to me and are what I love most, but the networking and marketing side – whether in person or on social media – can feel overwhelming at times. As an independent artist, I’m learning as I go, and while it’s not easy, it’s incredibly fulfilling to look back and recognize how much I’ve grown and how far I’ve come.

What are a few goals in your music career you’d like to achieve in the next couple of years?
One of my goals over the next couple of years is to keep growing my audience and continue releasing new music. I want to play more live shows and connect with new people – there’s nothing better than seeing a song you wrote mean something to someone else. Ultimately, I just want to keep building toward a career where I can share my stories, grow as a songwriter, and reach more people through my music.