Singer Josie Salvitti is on her way to great things!
By David C. Lannan for Country Music News International Magazine
“On My Way” was the perfect first original song for Pennsylvania teen Josie Salvitti also known most commonly as Josie Sal. Salvitti, the daughter of John and Michaela Salvitti of Venetia, has been nominated for a Josie Music Award, has sung all over lower Broadway (also known as “Honky Tonk Highway”) in Nashville and is working on her schedule for the year. She’s received a stage during CMA Fest Week and has opened for a few up and coming or even established country music artists. And if that’s not enough she has been contacted by American Idol, receiving a VIP pass to go straight through to LA when she is 15.
“I am so excited! A little nervous but so happy and can’t wait,” Salvitti said. “Though it feels like it is so far away since I’m only 13.”
Salvitti has released a second song, with a music video, “Country Gold” and her third, “Two Cents” is expected to drop February 21. She’s already headed back to Nashville to record a fourth song, “Fake Friends,” and will have her first professional event as a headliner Feb. 27 in Nashville at The Vinyl Lounge.
Salvitti was 10 years old when her father dared her to sing one song with the band Southbound at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda, Florida. The band originally denied his request, pointing out it wasn’t karaoke. After dinner and when the band was done he asked again, not even sure if she would get up and sing.
“The evening when I dared Josie to sing a song with Southbound, I had no expectations. In fact, the dare was just to distract Josie from wanting money to shop at the nearby stores,” John said. “I was surprised at the response that everyone had to her performance. Many people took videos, and when she was done, people tipped her and even asked for photos,” he added. The dare cost him $20.
Josie sang “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I. That was her first time singing in public and now she sings in Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Wisconsin, wherever the opportunity presents itself. She has also performed in West Virginia and New York City.
“What really made me think there was something more to this was how Josie was impacted by everyone’s enthusiastic response to her performance,” her father said. “She glowed with excitement and it was obvious that she was very comfortable in front of people.”
“I didn’t have any vocal or music training before my dad dared me to sing in Florida. For about a year now I have been taking vocal lessons with Hilerie Klein Rensi, owner of Higher Voice Studio,” Salvitti said. “I also have been working on guitar with Tony Janflone Jr., Jud Carper and Khris Glaring. I also hope to learn keyboard in the future.”
“When a child comes into my studio with that much talent, charm, maturity, and hutzpah, it’s like guiding a rocket,” Rensi, Josie’s vocal coach for almost two years, said. “She’s got so much forward momentum, power, and fire for the craft of singing and songwriting, that a strong foundation of healthy singing habits is the number one priority.”
Salvitti mostly sings Country and Country Rock but does some Classic Rock, Pop, and Blues.
“I love storytelling,” she said, “And Country music tells stories and everyone can relate.”
“On My Way” is the first of many originals Salvitti has co-written with many different songwriters. She joined Noah West and her producer Noah Henson in writing her first song. “I wrote this song because it always bothered me when people would occasionally say, ‘Don’t you just want to be a 6th grader?’ and didn’t agree. I love singing and performing.” More originals are expected to be released every 6-8 weeks.
“I have lots of new music that I’ve been working on. I like all the songs,” Salvitti said, “But I think my favorite may be ‘Country Gold’!” She was inspired by some country legends, learning about them and listening to their music. “I want to follow in their footsteps and make it big someday. The song is real catchy,” she added.
Her musical influences include Lainey Wilson, Billy Joel, Zach Bryan, Reba and Dolly. She says she has many more but those are the ones she listens to daily. She actually had the opportunity to meet her idol.
“I got to share a mic with Lainey at a stadium show in Tampa and I was crying while singing on the big screen. She is my country idol,” Salvitti said. “I first met her at the CMAs and also met her two more times after, and both times she remembered me. I asked if she would mentor me and she said yes, but she has been touring everywhere so nothing has happened, and I am okay with that,” Salvitti said. “She is the sweetest person ever, and if she ever did mentor me, that would be a dream come true. I also met Lainey’s dad at the CMA’s, and he spoke to me and my parents for a long time, and he was just as nice as Lainey and I can see why she is the way she is!”
She was one of the opening acts for Riley Green and Aaron Tippin at a music festival in Florida, and she performed at that show with a full band. She said she has been lucky to sing with too many bands to list. She had another memorable surprise on her musical journey.
“I had the opportunity to sing Lainey’s part of the duet ‘Save Me’ with Jelly Roll after he sent security out to bring me on stage. He was the nicest person ever,” Salvitti said, “And when he spoke to me backstage after the concert with so many people around, he was focused just on talking with me. I didn’t know what to expect, but he was amazing, and it was an experience that I’ll never forget.”
Performing at CMA Fest Week was one of her success stories as a young singer. “I sang only my originals that I had recently recorded and will release soon with the exception of one cover, ‘Black Velvet,’’’ she said. “I always say you never know who’s in the crowd but this time I knew the chances were higher for someone important to be there, and several industry people came to see me and I was able to make some great contacts.” All the songs were done acoustically and without any backing tracks. She added that Khris Glaring, “an amazing guitarist”, played for her. She had just met him the night before and had only a few hours of practice before taking the stage together.
“So many young singers get stuck imitating older ones. Josie’s working hard on being the best she can be today,” Rensi said, “and that’s why I’m confident that as she gets older and her voice continues to change and mature, she’ll still always sound like genuine Josie.”
Salvitti’s mom books all of her gigs but some supporters from New Hampshire, who saw her perform in Florida, told the promoters of Winkfest about her and they reached out invited her to sing at the festival. “While at Winkfest, other opportunities came about from some people at the show, and I expect I’ll head back to New England, if not this year, certainly next,” Salvitti said.
“Josie has a great voice and a tremendous stage presence.” said Mark Healey, Morning Host and Brand Manager for 98.7 and 106.9 Wink Country radio in New Hampshire. “She has surrounded herself with a great team and I have no doubt she has a great future ahead of her. She is going to be a star.”
She said her family is super supportive. Her siblings send her music they think she should sing, and come to her gigs and sometimes even share her doing something on their social media. Her parents take her everywhere for shows and opportunities. “I’m so lucky they can do this for me. My dad is also teaching me that to be successful, I need to really learn about business and how to deal with people,” she said.
She is also learning more about the guitar and may want to learn piano. “I play some guitar and I know this is a must to have a successful career,” she said. “Learning guitar also helps me understand music theory.” One of her goals is to make it on stage with the Song Suffragettes, which is the only all-female country music singer-songwriter showcase at The Listening Room Café, in Nashville.
“To be invited to Song Suffragettes I’ll need to be able to play guitar and sing my originals,” she added.
“I love everything about performing but my favorite thing is entertaining and making people happy. I love too that I have people supporting me of all ages,” Salvitti said. “I don’t have a least favorite yet, other than when I have had to sing outside when it was 100 degrees.”
She says she has had some disappointments, but she tries not to let anything bother her and realizes that she’s really young. “I’ve been able to do things and perform in places that singers much older than me have not had the chance to do, so I know that I’m very lucky,” she said. “Songwriter, Don Goodman, who has successfully been doing this for a long time, told me that I need to understand now that 90% of any songs I write are just practice. He said the sooner I appreciate that, the sooner I will see success and realize not everything is going to turn out as you hope and just keep your head up and keep working.”
Goodman is one of several writers she has been working on writing original songs. Others include Noah Henson, Noah West, Presley Tennant, Kelli Johnson, Hunter Kirbow, Jacob Sutton, and Maura Streppa. Henson has written with Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert and Pillar, to name just a few. Goodman had written for Alabama, Blake Shelton, George Jones, and Lee Greenwood, and is credited on songs “Ol’ Red” and “Angels Among Us”.
“It’s one thing to be able to write a catchy tune, it’s another to be able to sing it, sell it, and bring people along with you on your journey,” Rensi said. “Josie’s got it all and the strong family foundation to make it happen. She’s a lucky girl. And I’m a lucky teacher to have a small part in her launch.” Rensi’s studio ins Carnegie, PA.
When she isn’t traveling or performing Salvitti loves being outside fishing, boating, skiing, being with family and friends, and just hanging out. “I love making experiences happen for my family,” she said. “I want to save up for a Jeep with a lift kit.” She attends school online, giving her flexibility for traveling to shows.
To keep up with Josie Sal or see when she performs near you, visit her website www.josiesal.com.