Meet Alyssa Ruffin | Award-Winning Recording Artist & Singer-Songwriter | Military Spouse | Co-Founder & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Ruffin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor behind my success is a combination of dedication, determination, perseverance, transparency, a great support system, amazing fans, and God. I wouldn’t be where I am today without any of them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an award-winning Recording Artist & Singer-Songwriter, and the Co-Founder/CEO of Highway 83 Records which I own and operate with my husband. I have five beautiful children, and I am a proud Military spouse. I recently won Song of the Year at the 2023 Josie Music Awards held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, I won Best Female Pop Country Artist at the 2023 Mississippi Music Awards, and Best Blues Artist at the 2023 World Songwriting Awards. I have performed for crowds of 30,000+, opened for major artists including Sawyer Brown, Confederate Railroad, Hinder, Coolio, Royal Bliss, Firehouse, performed with the former lead guitarist for Wilson Pickett & legendary musician David Panzer, performed along with Lisa Loeb, Taylor Dayne, Jody Watley, Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls and many more for the Global Green Music For the Planet benefit concert via the Troubadour in West Hollywood, and performed for Legendary Buddy Holly’s wife Maria to name a few of my musical accolades. I launched Highway 83 Records with my husband in December 2022, and we are in the process of launching a podcast to highlight Musicians and Military members.

I’ve been on my own since I was 16 years old, and had a very difficult life. I am a 2x attempted suicide survivor, I’ve been homeless, and I am a domestic violence, child abuse, and childhood sexual abuse survivor to name a few of the traumas I’ve overcome. I’m human, so of course I’ve had weak moments and hit rock bottom. I suffered from severe depression and anxiety, and was a victim to my environment but I also survived, pushed through, and rose from the very bottom. It wasn’t always easy, my journey has been quite difficult but I fought hard to get to where I am. It’s not about how hard or how far you fall but how you pick yourself back up. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

I am a firm believer that you can do anything you put your mind to. I am living proof. I went from rock bottom, and suicidal, to becoming an international, multi-award-winning recording artist, and I recently won 2024 Armed Forces Insurance Spouse of the Year, at the base where my husband is currently stationed. Now, I use my platform to advocate for others and speak out about the difficult and uncomfortable topics, and give a voice to those who may not be ready to come forward in an effort to inspire others, providing a little hope, healing, and make a small difference in the world.

I have learned that you need thick skin not just in the music industry but also being a military spouse, and to speak out about trauma. Mostly I receive genuine support from my community. I have been thanked, and told that I’ve saved lives. It has been extremely rewarding to know that I’ve helped even one person. However, you will always have the naysayers. I’ve been told I shouldn’t share about those deeply personal things because it’s “drama”. I’ve received hate comments because my husband serves active duty in the military, and unfortunately not everyone is supportive of our men and women in uniform. I’ve been told I can’t sing, I’m too fat for Country music, and the list goes on. Perseverance, determination, dedication, passion, a solid support system, and courage are extremely vital to pursuing anything in the public eye.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is so much to do in LA, the options are endless. If it were her first time, I’d take her to a few of the main attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Capitol Records building, hike to the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, Malibu Beach. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Hollywood Museum are also a must. Rodeo Drive, Santee Alley, The Grove, or Hollywood Boulevard for shopping, Universal Studios, maybe a trip to Disneyland because who doesn’t like to have fun and be a kid for a day, I also really enjoy the Long Beach Pier. I love grabbing food at the Rainbow, and of course being a musician I am a huge supporter of live music, so we’d probably hit a couple of the jams. Food wise, Canters Deli is a must, I love finding hidden gems, or stopping at taco trucks for lunch. Dinner I’d opt for something trendy, with a chill vibe like Catch, or Harriets Rooftop, or maybe something beachside for the experience. You can’t go wrong with Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Santa Monica, or the Bluewater Grill in Redondo Beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to my husband Charlie (Chuck) Ruffin. There is no one who has supported, encouraged, uplifted, and empowered me to do what I do more than him. He has had my back from day one, long before we ever dated, and pushed me to be the best version of myself. He allowed me the freedom to explore, and supported every one of my adventures. He is my biggest supporter in music, and I am genuinely grateful for his unconditional love and support.

Website: WWW.ALYSSARUFFIN.COM

Instagram: Instagram.com/alyssaruffinmusic

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/alyssaruffin

Twitter: Twitter.com/alyssaruffin

Facebook: Facebook.com/AlyssaRuffinMusic

Youtube: Www.youtube.com/alyssaruffin

Other: Linktree.com/alyssaruffin Tiktok.com/@alyssaruffin

Image Credits
TR Photography