Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Dallas, Texas, USA

Ms. Frankie Leonie and I met in a sunny and spacious cafe in Dallas. I went into this interview with a timorous disposition as I knew I would be in the presence of big / huge talent and a teenager. What will that combination be like in person, I wondered? I first saw Frankie Leonie at the 2019 SXSW festival in Austin Texas, and thought her performance was absolutely stunning, forcefully electrifying. In person Frankie is kind and powerful. She possesses confidence of a seasoned pro, and a sweetheart, with an air of a woman many years her senior. Ms. Leonie revealed to me that she prefers to watch, study and mentally note the scenes around her, and you wouldn’t believe her back up career interests (read on to find out).

We quickly got into the pros and cons of Frankie’s touring life, graduating high school early and never looking back, carrying pepper spray on the way to her truck after late performances and having ambitions beyond Dallas and Texas. The sky is the limit for this old soul, her observant nature will only do her good and that disarming smile will win over many more fans. There is nothing new about the topic of young women singled out and then promptly underestimated in the professional world so instead I urge you to first go to Spotify, allow yourself to feel flooded with the hauntingly powerful voice and then support Ms. Frankie Leonie on Apple music. Cannot wait to see where the road takes you Frankie.

1. Name.

My name is Frankie Leonie.

2. Where is your hometown?

Dallas, Texas, USA.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I am a musician/singer-songwriter. My days don’t have much structure at the moment but my weekends are usually filled with shows, writing, seeing other people’s shows.

4. What has been your biggest learning moment to date?

I think learning to play guitar to be able to accompany myself and not have to rely on someone else was one of the more important things I’ve done/learned how to do.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the breakthrough moment for you (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

I was super uncomfortable performing in front of people for a while, but kept forcing myself to do it, until eventually it wasn’t such a scary thing anymore. I really resented and dreaded having to sing in front of people but now it’s the thing that continues to recharge me. If I go too long without playing a show, I start to feel restless. 

6. How is your life different now from what you pictured as a kid?

When I was younger I always figured I would go to college and get some kind of conventional job, but so far neither of those things has happened! 

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

There hasn’t been anything huge that comes to mind but I think daily there are little things that can be discouraging that I just have to move past. 

8. Advice for other women? What about women trying to break into the industry?

I have a bad habit of deferring to other people, even when I know the answer to something or when I need to make a decision, so I need to work on being more confident in my own knowledge and my ability to take control when I feel strongly about something. I think that’s something everyone can benefit from doing.

9. If you weren't a singer & a writer, what other goals / dreams would you pursue?

This is kind of weird and people usually think I’m crazy when I tell them this, but I used to want to be a mortician, and at one point I also wanted to be a medical examiner. Super morbid, kind of creepy, but I think a typical day in either of those careers would be nothing short of interesting! 

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

11. What extra-curricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I don’t have many hobbies outside of music but I did play volleyball for a long time and I was pretty alright at it!

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I essentially just want to do what I’m doing now, but on a larger scale. In the future I hope to release more music and tour.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

I sometimes fear that I won’t be able to do this forever or that I won’t be able to sustain myself doing this, so I hope i can eventually prove myself wrong. 

14. What is the hardest thing about being a singer, what is the best?

The hardest thing for me has been staying disciplined and creating and sticking to a schedule, staying consistent with writing, playing, and just day to day tasks.

Going to new places, meeting people, going to shows, spending time alone.

16. What are you hopeful about?

I’m hopeful that one day I’ll get to write, record, and play shows with musicians and people I look up to. 

17. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Good friends that you enjoy being around, hobbies that you enjoy doing on your own, experiencing good food/places/experiences with people you love.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why?

I think I’m open-minded, forgiving, and even-keeled.

20. What are you reading now?

Eek I haven’t read anything in awhile hahah! I think I recently re-read Catcher in the Rye, which has always been one of my favorites. 

21. Who is a WOW Woman in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?

There are so many girls and women whom I love and look up to, but if I had to choose a few, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn are some women who have built themselves up from nothing, created a space for themselves to be able to thrive, and they continue to make music today and inspire so many people with the way they live, Dolly especially. Three women that I personally know who inspire me would have to be my two grandmothers and my mom. They’re all intelligent, hardworking, and strong-willed in the best way possible. 

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

I have some music on all streaming platforms (hopefully more to come soon) and I’m also on all social media platforms:

Instagram: @frankie.leonie

Facebook: @frankieleoniemusic

Website: frankieleonie.com

YouTube: Frankie Leonie