Riley Whittaker contacted me just some one or two weeks ago. She is a young artist from Sedona, Arizona, who decided to take the big step to Nashville very early. Just turning sixteen (I failed about researching the right birth date, as you see below…), Whittaker already is producing her own folk–pop style music in Music City. Just this weekend (precisely, on 4th September 2020), she released No Air – what a great opportunity to introduce this young artist.
Flyctory.com meets Riley Whittaker
FLYC: Hi Riley, thanks for joining my Spotlight category. You are fifteen years old. How did you start doing music?
Riley: Hi! Thank you so much for having me! I am actually 16 as of September 2nd. :)) I started doing music at a very young age. I used to put on little concerts for my parents when I was 1 or 2. Although, I first performed on stage when I was 8, and learned my first instrument when I was 4 which was the violin, and piano. I’ve always loved performing and writing music, it is definitely my favorite thing to do, and always will be. Music spreads so many emotions through you that you sometimes can’t find the words to say.
FLYC: How did you find out that you want to do folk music / folk pop?
Riley: My voice feels right in that genre, and I love writing metaphorically as well as writing stories with my songs. and some of my biggest admirations growing up were folk/ pop singers.
FLYC: You grew up in Sedona, Arizona – maybe one of the most scenic places of the Rocky Mountains. You are now living in Nashville. Was it a hard decision for you to move to Tennessee?
Riley: I’ve wanted to move to Nashville for a very long time. Ever since I came here for the first time when I was 12, I fell in love with it. The music scene in Sedona isn’t the best either although it will always be my hometown. The hardest part was leaving and saying goodbye to all of my friends, but it feels so right to be out here, and I know I will get a lot further out here with my music, and so far I already have taken some huge steps. 🙂
FLYC: How was it like for your family and friends when you decided to move your life to music city?
Riley: My family and friends are so supportive and I love them all so much. They were very encouraging about the move. Of course we were all sad at first, but it gives them a reason to come to Nashville!
FLYC: Let’s have a look into your music. Your 2019 debut single was See Right Through. What is that song about?
Riley: See Right Through was the first song I recorded with my current producer (Blake Vadasy). I think this song was me trying to find my style. It was about seeing through someone and their little games, and realizing you can do better. I was about 13 when I wrote this song, and it was right after I bought my first electric guitar.
FLYC: How was the writing process of this song alike?
Riley: I remember the song just kind of flowing out of me. It was written really fast, like within 30 minutes. Producing it with Blake Vadasy was a super fun experience and the production came together very fast as well.
FLYC: After releasing your debut, you have been quite busy and released three more solo singles. The most important one is likely Written in the Stars. What is that song about?
Riley: Written In The Stars was about finding someone who you can dream with. Its a love song about two people who know they are meant to be together.
FLYC: I read about you that you already wrote over 40 songs so far. What are the biggest improvements in songwriting over you time? Is there anything specific where you feel your songs are much better nowadays?
Riley: I’ve written over 100 now since quarantine started! Haha. I feel like my songwriting has progressed a ton. I found a style that was more me, and started sticking to it. I relate to my songs a lot more too now.
FLYC: Towards the end of 2019, you paired with Lazor Lanson for a Christmas track, Under the Mistletoe. Was is special for you to be part of a Christmas season track?
Riley: Yes! I have always wanted to do a Christmas song! I was so happy when Lazor agreed to sing it with me. It was such a fun song to arrange!
FLYC: Your previous single and the second one this year was Old Love. I felt that it is more pop-alike than some of your songs before. Is that something you were aiming for while writing or just happening by chance during the process.
Riley: This song I actually started writing in my head in the middle of my orchestra rehearsal. It was another one of those songs that just kind of flowed out of me. This song took an extremely long time to produce and release because it started before Covid broke out. I had an idea of the production while writing, but it also came together as something way bigger than anything I imagined, and just kept developing over the course of the months of producing it.
FLYC: You just released No Air on 4th September 2020. What is that song about?
Riley: No Air started with the end of the chorus, and the song just built around it. It’s about trying to escape from a love, but you know that you can’t. You keep running back and you’re trapped in this feeling.
FLYC: No Air is very rhythmic. Is that a kind of music you want to release more frequently in the future?
Riley: I have an EP coming out soon, and I would say the music on it is very mixed. It does have some rhythmic sounds, but It’s a mix of slow storytelling songs, some more chill beats. As well as some more rhythmic synth beats. I like to put out a variety of different productions that surround my same pop/ folk style.
FLYC: You press kit already states that you are going for the EP you just mentioned. Any news about this – and do you have any other plans for the future?
Riley: Yes! My EP will be releasing hopefully by November. It has been delayed because of the move to Nashville! I am super excited about it! I’m starting to just get my name out there in Nashville, and I will continue to work at that! As well as some super exciting things that are in progress.
FLYC: Your Twitter account is called RileyBlueGuitar. What is the blue guitar about?
Riley: My first guitar was blue, and that’s always been my kind of signature thing haha. I love the color blue and I guess it just stuck with me.
FLYC: Last, but not least: is there anything you miss most about your Sedona life?
Riley: I definitely miss my friends a ton, and I miss this restaurant called “Berry Divine.” It’s an acai bowl restaurant and it’s amazing!!!
All pictures: artist material
All “classic” blog posts
No reviews – just debating and certain topics – these are my “traditional” blog posts in the categories Just blogging, Just blogging on music and Sports Blogging:

Let’s Praise Modern German Country Music – My Artist Overview

Food I Had Onboard XXI (January 2024 – early February 2024)

The Flyctory.com Country Music Playlists – My Favorite Artists

Food I Had Onboard XX (November 2024 – early January 2025)

Flyctory.com Best Ones 2024

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2024

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2024

2024 – My Year in Travel

Looking Forward To 2025 – My Highlights of The Next Year

4,000 Postings on Flyctory.com – Time to have a look back

Bye-Bye Lufthansa – my last Senator Anniversary

Food I Had Onboard XIX (October 2024)

Rock of Ages – 2025 International Dates of the Musical

Food I Had Onboard XVIII (end July to mid September 2024)

“Goldenes Oval” Opening Meeting – Opening Ceremony (Dresden, 30th August 2024)

Paris 2024 Olympics – My Tops and Flops

The Flyctory.com-Style Medal Count of the 2024 Paris Olympics

Food I Had Onboard XVII (mid-May to mid-July 2024)

International Tennis Hall of Fame – Class of 2024 Induction

International Tennis Hall of Fame – 2024 Inductees Press Conference

Infosys Hall of Fame Open 2024 – A Week of Tennis, Indian Celebrations, and a Farewell

NHL Schedule 2024-25 – My Suggested Trips

Rock of Ages – Which song is better? Original or Musical Version?

Food I Had Onboard XVI (mid-April to mid-May 2024)

WFC 2024 in Lahti – Splitter, Stats, & 3×3 Thoughts

The NY Sightseeing Pass or the New York Pass by Go City – Which One is better?

The Debut – Just One Week Until the 3×3 World Floorball Championships in Lahti

My Preview to the Under 19 Girls World Floorball Championships in Lahti

Flyctory.com Is Introducing “Featured Clubs” – Sports Teams & Federations in Focus

Food I Had Onboard XV (March 2024 – early April 2024)

My 15 Favorite Hotels I Have Stayed in… So Far

My Loyality Program Portfolio 2024

Food I Had Onboard XIV (January 2024 – early March 2024)

The Renewed Flyctory.com Country Music Playlists

Andreas Dorau – My Most Favorite Songs and Lines

Food I Had Onboard XIII (End November 2023 – early January 2024)

Flyctory.com Best Ones 2023

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2023

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2023

2023 – My Year in Travel

Santa’s Soundtrack 2023? Some Christmas Releases This Season

The Day Music Neutrality Died (a bit) – Thank You Everynoise.com

Food I Had Onboard XII (Late October 2023 – Mid-November 2023)

Naughty or Nice? – The Flyctory.com Country Christmas Playlist 2023

Country To Country is back in Central Europe – Here are the Main Acts

Food I Had Onboard XI (Mid September 2023 – October 2023)

The Privilege of the Loo – On Bathroom Distribution in Airplanes

Rock of Ages – 2024 International Dates of the Musical

Thank You, Rohan Bopanna!

Food I Had Onboard X (July 2023 til early September 2023)

Praise The Underdogs – I Look Back to the European Soccer Competition Qualifications

Heart to Heart – Semmel Concerts Introduces the Songwriters Round to Germany

Home is where the heart is – My Twelve Favorite Cities of the World

NHL Schedule 2023-24 released – Here are my suggested Trips

Seepark Biker Days Pfullendorf 2023 – Atmosphere & Impressions

Seepark Biker Days Pfullendorf 2023 – A Preview

Food I Had Onboard IX (Mid-May 2023 til June 2023)

Rock of Ages UK Tour – A Personal Farewell and Thanks

My Traveler’s Thoughts About… Renting a Car and Driving in Iceland

Food I Had Onboard VIII (April 2023 til Mid-May 2023)

My Favorite Eurovision Song Contest Songs

Traveling on Iceland’s Ring Road (Reprise)

Travel all Germany for 49 EUR a Month? The New Deutschland Ticket

Rock of Ages Opening Night – Red Carpet Impressions

Thumb Up or Down? A Personal View on my Loyalty Program Portfolio

Food I Had Onboard VII (mid-February 2023 til March 2023)

Five Years of Flyctory.com – My 20 Most Popular Travel Posts (so far…)

Jim “Kimo” West is playing the very first German Weird Al Show tonight – he is back with “Nacht der Gitarren” in Fall

Food I Had Onboard VI (December 2022 til mid-February 2023)

Davis Cup Qualifiers – A Bad Day For (Men’s) Doubles Tennis

Flyctory.com Best Ones 2022

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2022

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2022

How I would love European Flight Compensation Regulation to Change

Covid-19, Strikes and more – My Flight Rebooking Experience

Some 2022 new Christmas Song Releases – Good Ones and Weird Ones

Food I Had Onboard V (September 2022 til November 2022)

Loyalty Programs – Are We Too Committed To Stay Rational?

Weird Al Yankovic is touring Europe 2023 – Tour Dates and Travel Hints

Visiting the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Sites in 2022

Steel Guitar Santa is Back – The Flyctory.com Country Christmas Playlist 2022

Rock of Ages – International Dates of the Musical in 2023

Food I Had Onboard IV (May 2022 til August 2022)

NHL Schedule 2022-23 released – Some suggested Icehopping Itineraries

The Bergisch Coffee Table (Bergische Kaffeetafel) – A Sweet and Savory Tradition

European Airports Go Mad – a Morning at Dusseldorf Airport

Food I Had Onboard III (Mar 2022 til April 2022)

Currently my favorite animal: Leon The Lobster

Food I Had Onboard II (Nov 21 til Mar 2022)

No Business as Usual – but I felt it is right to continue to share the World with you…

Beijing 2022 – No Flyctory.com Medal Count, Just Thoughts…

Riding the Swan Adventure Pedal Boat in Dubai – A Special Ride and Posting

Rock of Ages – Central European Shows of my Favorite Musical in 2022

Flyctory.com Best Ones 2021

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2021

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2021

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My Top 15 Airports Flown – With Some Brief Thoughts

Ho Ho Ho – The Flyctory.com Country Christmas Playlist 2021

Food I Had Onboard (Oct 2021 til Nov 2021)

The Hits of the Trips – My Summer 2021 in Music

My Hotel Checklist – Some Services Too Many Overnights are still failing at

Tokyo 2020 – My Thoughts By Sports (… and some more)

The Flyctory.com-Style Medal Count of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Some weird sports I discovered during Covid-19

The Twelve Best Flights Of My Life (… so far)

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Bricky Trouble over Germany

Cologne – My Ten Favorite Songs About My Home Town

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The Dutch Museumkaart – One Year of Culture and History (almost) for free in the Netherlands

Understanding Train Station – A Podcast on Living Abroad and Cultural Differences

Dubai – A December 2020 Pandemic Disappointment

Flyctory.com Best Ones 2020

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2020

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2020

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My Ten Favorite Weird Al Yankovic Songs

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C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 3 (08.03.2020) – Splitter

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 2 (07.03.2020) – Splitter

C2C Country To Country Berlin – Day 1 (06.03.2020) – Splitter

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Flyctory.com on Spotify and Amazon Music Unlimited

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CMA Fest 2019 – My Meet & Greets

Visiting CMA Fest 2019

My Favorite CMA Fest Songs 2019

Christina Taylor & Carolyn Miller – Two Upcoming Country Artists

CMA Fest 2019 – Fan Events with Cassadee Pope and Jana Kramer

Country Music Concert Summer 2019 in Germany – a small Boom?

Shallow-ism – One Song in countless Versions

My Favorite Country 2 Country Songs 2019

European World Floorball Championship Qualification – A Preview

Entertaining or not? An Inflight Magazine Comparison

Floorball Champions Cup 2019 – A Preview to Gävle

Very Important Postings – July to December 2018

My Favorite Songs 2018

How to buy a Hotel Group Status

Davis Cup World Group Playoff 2018 – More complex than ever!

Very Important Postings – Flyctory.com’s 1st Half 2018

Flyctory.com’s Introduction on Mileage Pooling

Atlanta 1996 – 22 Years later

Ode to my Superhero – Leander Paes

My favourite Country 2 Country 2018 songs

My Medal Count Winner 2018: Canada

Why WordPress?
US Hotel Reviews
Here all reviews on hotels & other accommodation in the USA:

Hampton Inn Philadelphia / King of Prussia

DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles – Norwalk

Best Western Providence Warwick Airport Inn

Hampton Inn Fall River/Westport

Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip

Hampton Inn Seekonk

Desert Rose Resort Las Vegas

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pittsburgh West – Green Tree

Hampton Inn Manhattan – Madison Square Garden Area

Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach Coastal Grand Mall

LIC Hotel (New York / Queens)

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

Hampton Inn & Suites Cathedral City

Best Western Plus Casino Royale – Center Strip (Las Vegas)

Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport – Liberty Station

Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown

Motel 6 Pittsburgh – Crafton

Asiatic Hotel Flushing (New York City)

Quality Inn Arena (Wilkes-Barre)

Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando Theme Parks

Hampton Inn Daytona Speedway-Airport

Hampton Inn St. Louis / Fairview Heights

DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown

Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center

Hilton Garden Inn New York/Central Park South – Midtown West

Hampton Inn & Suites Albany Downtown

Hampton Inn Pittsburgh Airport

Hampton Inn @Aviation Plaza Linden (New Jersey)

Conrad New York Midtown

Hampton Inn Kansas City-Airport

Hampton Inn & Suites Poughkeepsie

Sleep Inn & Suites Tampa South

Hampton Inn Melbourne (Florida)

Red Roof Plus+ Nashville Airport

Hampton Inn & Suites Lebanon (TN)

Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Downtown/Crossroads

Paola Inn and Suites (Paola, KS)

Comfort Inn Nashville – Opryland Area

Hampton Inn New Bedford / Fairhaven

Microtel Inn by Wyndham Long Island City

DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside

OYO Hotel St. Louis Downtown City Center

Adria Hotel & Conference Center (Queens, NY)

Hilton Nashville Downtown

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Anaheim – Convention Center

OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh – Green Tree

Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh/Waterfront – West Homestead

Hampton Inn & Suites Schererville

Fairfield Inn & Suites Indianapolis Downtown

Palmer House Chicago – A Hilton Hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Orlando At Sea World

Hampton Inn & Suites Providence/Warwick-Airport

Hilton Garden Inn Preston Casino Area

Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Airport

Holiday Inn Express Memphis Airport Elvis Presley Blvd

Hilton Garden Inn Tupelo

DoubleTree Washington Crystal City

Hampton Inn Philadelphia Airport

Homewood Suites Lake Buena Vista Orlando (Review)

Hampton Inn Busch Gardens Area Tampa (Review)

John Hotel (Flushing, New York City)