Jennifer Pappas newly released single is topping the charts

Editor's note: April Kry @aprilkrymusic just tweeted: #Fireflies was number 41 on @SXMTheHighway 's Hot 45!!!! Keep the requests coming! Love y'all


Model turned songwriter Jennifer Pappas has recently written a hit song "Fireflies" sung by up-and-coming country star April Kry.

I had the honor of interviewing Jennifer about her career as a songwriter, her love of country music, and her personal crusade to save the environment.  

1. This is one of the most upbeat songs I've heard in a long time! What was the inspiration behind such a catchy tune?

Answer: Fireflies is a song that describes the feelings of falling in love for the first time; a song about being young, carefree, and thinking that the world is one big adventure. It’s about a time in your life when you still maintained the ability to completely lose yourself in another person, and that’s something we can all relate to. I am so happy to hear that you found it up appealing! This song was especially dear to me because I grew up in the south, running barefoot all summer, climbing magnolia trees, building tree forts, crawdad fishing and yes, catching lightning bugs (fireflies) in my grandmas jelly jars! I am a southern girl to my very core, and my songs with always be imbued with her charms.

2. Describe your feelings when you found out that a song you had written would be broadcast on Sirius.

Answer: I was absolutely thrilled! John Marks from The Highway is a true visionary, and to have him believe in this song meant the world to me as a songwriter. We just found out that we came in # 41 on the Hot 45 countdown our first week out! And to have an artist like April Kry sing Fireflies was a dream come true; she has the voice of an angel, and for her really, the sky is the limit! I have to admit though that to make your mark in country, as a female singer is very difficult. It is, and always has been a genre dominated by male vocalist. But if anyone has the ability to breakthrough as a female country artist, it would be April.

3. You said you love writing country music because the lyrics tell powerful stories. What are some of the greatest stories you have heard personally through this genre of music?

Answer: Well, one of my personal favorites would be Whiskey Lullaby by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss. It was written by Bill Anderson and Jon Randall and is really one of the best country songs I’ve ever heard. Also, I absolutely love Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw! Broken Wing by Martina McBride, Blown Away by Carrie Underwood, and lately Automatic by Miranda Lambert. I am a huge fan of hers and her band The Pistol Annies.

4. Any chance we'll see April perform at The Ridgefield Playhouse in the near future?

Answer: Sure! There is a great chance that April Kry will perform at the Playhouse! She will be starting to tour in the summer! Her EP will be released in the spring and watch out, it’s going to be a stunner! Oh, I made a rhyme:)…I have come to know April very well over the last couple of months and can tell you for certain that the one thing she is the most excited about is touring.

5. A lot of people may know that you really care about helping the environment. Tell me about some of the environmental organizations you're involved in.

Answer: I want to ensure that my children and their children have clean water to drink, that is one of the causes that most moves me to action. More children die every year from diseases contracted from drinking dirty water than anything else. Safe water can transform lives. Water.org is a great organization. Also, Bill and Melinda Gates have done a great job at combating guinea worm (the gatesfoundation.org). More than 750,000 children die every day from from severe dehydration and diarrhea, another 500,000 from cholera and other water born diseases. I do care about the environment (water is a great part of the environment), but I guess I care more for the children that are effected by that environment.

Fireflies is available on iTunes here

R
Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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