Meet Deb Guy | Singer/Songwriter

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

Hi Deb, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I’ve ever made was to leave an entire life behind, including a marriage, in order to live my dreams and break free from a cycle that only perpetuated the inauthenticity of self. I wanted to be an artist or musician my whole life and forced myself into a traditional box to appease everyone but myself. Breaking that unhealthy pattern, living authentically and following my heart changed my life. It propelled me forward to where I was meant to be, allowing me to meet and work with some of the best people, artists and musicians on the planet.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I knew from a young age that I wanted to sing. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some sort but music was always my first love. My dad (who really wasn’t the most supportive of my dreams) was a musician. I think because he never really put his whole heart into his music and thought of it as a failure, he tried to push me to do anything that wasn’t music, but my rebellious heart prevailed. My mom, as mentioned in a previous question, was the biggest supporter of my dreams. She was proof that I really could do anything I put my heart and mind to. She was a nurse, a burlesque dancer, AND once a Mayor of a small town in PA. I struggled with putting myself in the societal box and ended up living a life that didn’t really feel like mine. I was married but the relationship was dissipating and it never felt quite right. In 2011 after a lifetime of denial, I finally started writing music. It opened a whole new world and though I was scared I couldn’t turn back. I started going out to open mics in Lancaster PA and immediately the feedback on my music and my writing was encouraging. I met and got to play with some of the best musicians in Lancaster. It started a journey, that I never in a million years would have thought would land me in Nashville TN living out my deepest childhood rock-n-roll dreams. By 2016 I had left my marriage and started a whole new life. I am grateful for my ex. He was a wonderful human and still is but we just weren’t suited for forever. The relationship lent itself to some pretty heartfelt song writing though and for that, I am forever grateful. In 2018 after 3 pretty horrific Thursdays in a row, I sold off a bunch of my life, packed up my car and proceeded to drive across the country to pursue my music and live life to its fullest. By July of 2019, I was living in TN. I immersed myself in the songwriting scene here in Nash and the rest, as they say, is history.

I have some very distinct genres of music that I fluctuate between. I describe my solo music as Rebel-Folk/Americana/Blues. I felt I had to create my own genre because I didn’t think it really fit anywhere else. People ask who I sound like and I really don’t know what to tell them. I was raised on all kinds of music and even sang in the church choir so my influences are vast. A girlfriend of mine once described my solo music and vocals as sex and whiskey. So that’s the direction I went with. I play acoustic guitar solo but electrify with a band. I play under my name Deb Guy. That’s the music that got me to Nashville but what is keeping me here is my other musical persona. I am the lead singer and lyricist for a Metal/Rock band called Blackwater Down. THIS BAND is what makes my heart swell. This band is the one that holds my focus the most these days. We are a hard hitting- high energy band that will have you headbanging and jumping around with the best of them. Our dynamic is hard to forget. Again if you had told me 5yrs ago I would be in Nashville, TN living out my purest, teen angst, rock-n-roll dreams I would have thought you were crazy. But here I am working and writing with the most talented musicians I could ask for. They are my family and friends and I am beyond excited to see how far we go. So far the feedback has been phenomenal and from the first moment we played out, the support and the buzz have been loud and promising. Music is not an easy path to choose but when you find the right people and the right communities, anything is possible. Our 5 song EP comes out at the end of August and will be on all the streaming services.
Blackwater Down consists of myself, Chris “Burn” O’Brien, drums
Mike Carr- bass
Luke Alonso- guitar
Rhett Miller- guitar

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I moved to TN I have had a ton of friends and family come to visit. Though the tourist ideals dictate Broadway as the place to go, I think it’s my least favorite place in Nash. There are so many amazing places and hidden gems here. I personally enjoy dive bars and down home kind of places so I usually take my people to places like The Cobra or The Springwater which are where I say (lovingly) is where the freaks and geeks hang out. The Cobra is also a really cool place to play a show. For food, there are sooooo many amazing food places here in Nash but some of my favorites will forever be the taco trucks on Nolensville Pike. There are sooo many to choose from and they are ALL phenomenal! I also like places like the 5 spot for live music and dance nights, The Underdog has great music and it’s right next to the Iconic Post 82 American Legion where Honky Tonk Tuesday happens every week. You never know who you might see. You may be rubbing elbows with some famous country star. If I’m not taking my people to fun bars and restaurants I’m probably taking them to one of the many hiking trails or lake beaches. I am an outdoor girl for sure!!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom- Connie Guy- Always told me I could do and have whatever I wanted. All I had to do was want it bad enough, work hard for it and don’t be an A**hole. She has believed in me and supported my dreams no matter how out of this world they may have been. Everyone deserves that kind of mother’s love.

Also my band- Blackwater Down- Chris “Burn” O’Brien, Mike Carr, Luke Alonso and Rhett Miller. They are my friends and my family. They have made the process of starting and maintaining a band an incredible experience. We are open and communicative. As with all families, we are not without ups and downs but I am grateful that no matter what, we always come back together to figure our issues out. Good or bad, I can count on these guys to always be open to what the world throws at us. Not to mention the talent alone could blow your mind. The universe was definitely looking out for me when he put these men on my path.

Website: linktr.ee/blackwaterdown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwaterdownband/ https://www.instagram.com/lexicon_of_lilith/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087334694958 https://www.facebook.com/missminstrel/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blackwaterdown

Other: I don’t have a solo Youtube channel but can be searched on Youtube and have videos out there.

Image Credits
Nora Canfield -Ms Dig Photography Sandy Beitler Photography Rachel Franklin Photography Myself- Deb Guy