My Countrytown: Emily Myers – Jefferson City, Missouri

Regional towns are in our blood here at CountryTown! From Kurri Kurri to Broome, Ballarat to Noojee, we love the amazing country musicians our regional centres produce – but we mustn’t forget the quality artists who come from distant shores too!

Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, country music singer-songwriter, Emily Myers’ musical curiosity led her to take piano, voice, dance, and guitar lessons at an early age, before discovering a passion for musical theatre. During her studies in opera and theatre at Oklahoma City University, she soon discovered her true calling in the craft of songwriting. It was not long before Emily was playing original songs to friends and was hooked on the feeling of spreading and affecting positivity. 

Emily's newest single, Unwrite Every Song, was released on May 13, 2022 and is the title track to an EP that will follow later this year. Written with Amanda McCarthy and Tom Shubsda, Unwrite Every Song’s touching lyrics were inspired by everyday stories – ones that make someone laugh, cry and persevere. Her next single, Ain’t Gonna Be Mine, is due August 5.

To get to know Emily a little better, we’ve asked what she loves about Jefferson City, Missouri.

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There is nothing like home. It has been years since I have lived in Jefferson City, Missouri, but that town, and more importantly, the people, are always with me. As my new single Unwrite Every Song says in the lyrics, ‘the mistakes, heartaches, regrets to forgive’ that I learned and grew from in that town are at the heart of my music. The support of my family and my friends who helped me figure out who I was and loved me every step of my journey no matter how far away it has taken me are what continue to both ground me and keep me running forward at the same time. Knowing where I come from is the first step to understanding who I am and that is why I am so excited to share five things I loved about growing up in the heart of the United States.

1. Beauty

The first thing to know about Jefferson City is how beautiful it is. Most people picture Missouri to be flat plains, but my home is actually filled with rolling hills and valleys. The Missouri River flows directly through it and every morning I drove over the river and admired its beauty and its power in one. My favourite spot in my hometown was a creek directly behind my house. It had a small waterfall at the end of it and I would hike there when I needed to think. Some of my first songs were written on this large boulder that sat directly next to the water.

2. Memories

But don’t think I am biased calling my hometown beautiful. Jefferson City has been ranked one of the most beautiful capital cities in America. It is a source of pride for this small town. But I mostly love it because I remember playing capture the flag with my youth group on the front lawn of the Capitol building and celebrating every Fourth of July (America’s Independence Day) watching fireworks next door. We took prom pictures on the governor’s lawn and picnics by the fountains. The state’s history is woven in with my own memories.

3. Downtown

Across the street from the Capitol is beautiful downtown, where small businesses and family restaurants welcome anyone who strolls down the street. I worked one of my first jobs downtown at a family-owned frozen yogurt shop. I love this area because I can’t walk this street and not see someone I love. You always run into an old classmate or a family friend or one of the many business owners who remembers you from years of being a paying customer. No one supports small business like a small town. It is the same support they give me and my music after all these years.

4. Education

Sitting on top of a huge hill is the one public high school for the town. One of my favourite things about it is the career centre attached to it. Students who want to pursue trade work or specialised skills can receive their entire training in these programs. Students can graduate with their welding certificate, first nursing credentials, automotive skills, and computer techniques. I learned to value that people come from different places and should be prepared to live their best lives, no matter how different from each other, in the halls of that school.

5. Community

And that brings me to the final thing everyone should know about Jefferson City. The community and the people who live there are some of the finest people I know. The town raised me, giving me second mums, dads, and grandparents that I am lucky to have in my life – people who poured into me as an artist and a musician, encouraging me to pursue the impossible. Without the arts communities that welcomed me as young girl and the support my music still receives from my hometown, I would not be able to be the artist I am today.

Thanks for letting me brag on a place that means so much to me and sharing a little bit about how it helped me become the person I am today.

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Keep up to date with everything Emily Myers and follow her on Facebook here.

For more of our My CountryTown series, check out here.