When young Conroe singer-songwriter Payton Riley attended the 2022 Texas Country Music Awards in Fort Worth, she turned to her mom, Tonia, and said “I’m going to be up there next year” in reference to the winner’s stage.
Her prediction came true for the 2023 awards when she was named the Young Artist of the Year for 18 and younger Nov. 12 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth.
Top fan and industry-voted awards were presented in 26 categories related to Texas Country music and Christian Country music as organized by the Texas Country Music Association.
Other awards included the “Trailblazer Award” that was presented to Cody Canada for his long-standing career and impact on the Texas Red Dirt music scene. Entertainer of The Year was Kin Faux, Male Artist of the Year was Jake Worthington and Female Artist of the Year was Summer Dean.
Early start for singing and performing
The 15-year-old was the youngest to ever be nominated. Others in her category included Jenna Katherine, Sadie Lee, Logan Papp and Grace Patridge.
“I remember going to this event last year and watching all of the great artists receive their awards,” the Covenant Christian high school freshman said. “I turned to my mom and told her next year, I’d be up on that stage. This year, we were seated at the back of Billy Bob’s, and I thought if I had won, we’d be closer to the stage. So it was a complete surprise when they called my name.”
She started 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.
Writing and recording
In 2022, she attended a songwriting retreat in Memphis and released her first EP of three original songs. One, “He Chose You For a Reason,” was a top 10 finalist in the Christian division of the 2023 TCMA Songwriter Contest.
Riley first wrote Christian music, but soon added country songs to her repertoire.
“I love country music because it speaks to your soul and is so relatable to everyone,” she said. “I create songs from life experiences — my own and others. I like songs to have a little bit of attitude and still empower my audience. I really enjoy having my music make people want to be better, stronger and more confident.”
In 2022, she released her first three-song EP featuring the songs “Boys Keep Up,” “He Chose You for a Reason,” and “Make It Sad.”
Earlier this year, her newest song, “Long Live Cowboys,” was released at the Table at Madeley in downtown Conroe.
When not taking voice lessons, practicing, writing songs and performing, Riley is active in high school track and her school’s worship team. She also likes to make time to fish and hunt.
Riley also enjoys volunteering with Love Heals Youth, an organization that provides counseling, tutoring services, a mobile clothes closet and more for foster children.
“When I was younger, my family fostered three children, and it left a huge impact on me,” she said. “I’ve had the opportunity to sing Christmas carols to them, sing on the Day of Counseling and organize monthly service projects like providing Easter baskets and Valentine’s Day cards. It’s very rewarding.”
New music and a band
Next up, she recorded several songs in Nashville this fall and will release new music in 2024.
She is also putting a band together and they’ll have their first show Jan. 20 at The Table at Madeley.
When she heard her daughter’s name called on Nov. 12, Riley’s mom Tonia Kuehn said she tried her best to keep it together.
“I see how hard she works every single day. To see all that hard work pay off for her, brings pure happiness,” she said. “This music industry is not always kind. There’s a lot of ups and downs and when good things happen you have to ride out the highs. I’m just super proud of her.”
