Conroe teen singer and songwriter Payton Riley is taking her talent to Ireland and England.
Riley, 16, is on her first international tour titled the “Texas To You Tour.” Riley made her debut on Season 22 of the singing competition show American Idol in 2024.
While she did not get picked to move on in American Idol, she said the exposure expanded her fan base across the world.
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Riley’s international plans
“My fan base grew significantly after my American Idol audition aired, and I’ve received messages from fans around the globe since then,” she said. “Meeting my supporters over there (in Europe) is something I’ve been looking forward to.”
Her England and Ireland shows begin Thursday and continue through May 4. She’ll be back in Texas for a show at Cellar Twenty Four on May 9 in The Woodlands.
How Payton Riley started in the music business
Riley began singing at age 7 and wrote her first song at age 9, performing it on the Dosey Doe Big Barn stage in The Woodlands. She continued performing around Houston and began traveling for shows to Dallas-Fort Worth and the Texas Hill Country.
In 2022, she attended a songwriting retreat in Memphis and released her first EP of three original songs. She went on to win the 2023 and 2024 Young Artist of the Year awards from the Texas Country Music Association, as well as the Josie Award for Young Female Artist of the Year at the Grand Ole Opry.
She has now released 15 singles with her latest track, “Weatherboy,” debuting last month.
American Idol debut
Riley auditioned in Nashville for Idol in 2024, singing her original song “Fireflies” that chronicles her breakup with an old boyfriend.
Luke Bryan gave a “yes” vote but Lionel Richie and Katy Perry were both a “no” to moving on in the competition. Perry said Riley was talented and a good songwriter.
“If you’re doing this at 15, you’re onto something. Keep singing and keep writing,” Perry said. Richie said she had a promising future and that the sky was the limit but she should take the time to grow.
They asked her to come back in a few years and try again.
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Nurturing other young singers
This summer, Riley will partner with the Texas Country Music Association to host a Young Artist Songwriter Retreat for aspiring musicians aged 13-19.
The three-day event is set for Aug. 3-5 at Dosey Doe Breakfast, BBQ & Whiskey Bar in The Woodlands. The retreat will bring insight on the music industry, strategies and tools for success.
Among the speakers will be Stacey Yancey, mother of Parker McCollum, who will discuss the family’s journey in the music business and Nashville songwriter Greg Barnhill who will lead songwriting sessions.
See a link on her Payton Riley Music website for more information about the retreat and how to participate.
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