Sierra Ferrell’s nomadic lifestyle has contributed a lot to her music, as the West Virginia native was exposed to many musical influences throughout her childhood and into her busking days. “I listened to a lot of radio stuff and my mom had cassette tapes of 10,000 Maniacs and Tracy Chapman,” Ferrell told The San Diego Union-Tribune, naming Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion as some standout artists from her childhood.
When living in a trailer park as a young girl, Ferrell was inspired by a group of young, unhoused musicians, whose music influenced her future busking days. “I met all these homeless kids who were traveling all over the place and playing amazing old songs, and I wanted to be a part of that,” the “Ready or Not” collaborator said. “The music they were making was so honest, so pure. It seemed important to bring that kind of music back, and it’s been with me ever since” (per OPRY).
When she was older, Ferrell started traveling on her own, hitchhiking, caravanning, and train hopping across the country. Throughout her travels, she was exposed to more transient musicians and found herself enchanted by their old, folksy songs. In her early 20s, Ferrell took up busking herself, spending most of her time in New Orleans, Louisiana and Seattle, Washington.
Post source: The List
