Local Singing Star Releases Video of Her Nationally Performed Song

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- Montgomery County’s own Payton Riley, 15, the local singing sensation who earlier this year performed nationally on American Idol’s audition show, where she impressed the judges with a heartfelt rendition of her original song ‘Fireflies.’ The tune is about a breakup with her first boyfriend from years back. August 23rd marked the release date of her video of the song, which dropped on her YouTube page ‘Payton Riley Music,’ early that morning Riley’s song also gives girls her age who have had heartbreak, a chance to heal their hearts so they can go on with their lives.

“This song means a lot to so many people, and it’s even helped some get through tough breakups,” said Riley. “I would like to thank all of my fans for all the love and support they’ve given me for this song.”

The young singer is a hard worker, and is constantly striving to one day return to American Idol, where the judges asked Riley to return in a few years, of which there is no doubt she will. Riley wanted to impress the judges with her songwriting and singing talents she had mastered at such a young age.

Since her appearance on American Idol, Riley has picked up new fans nationally and internationally. She’s been in the recording studio working on new material for 2025, and is constantly writing. Payton has been named a finalist for the 2024 Young Artist of the Year (18 and younger) by the Texas Country Music Association, an honor she won last year as their youngest nominee ever. In addition, she is up for a Josie Music Award in Nashville, for ‘Artist of the Year - Young Adult - Female.’ The JMA’s will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House on October 27th, and independent music producers across the country will be looking at the Music City that night.

Riley is growing quite used to being in front of cameras. From local media, national network, videos, photoshoots, and soon to be film cameras, she is ready to take her place in fame. She caught the eye of Spring, Texas, author and screenwriter, Bob Gunner, about a role in an upcoming film, ‘An Almost Perfect Day,’ where Riley will play a lead character, opposite of actor/singer Kasey Lansdale, who will portray her mother in the project. The production is in the works, and filming is scheduled to start in early 2025.

In the fall, Payton will be part of a ‘Young Artist Songwriter Ranch Retreat,’ in Centerville. The three day songwriting day camp will be for young artists 12-18, with the aim of not only teaching songwriting, but also informing the campers of all the aspects on what it takes to make a successful singer, which is much more than just a beautiful voice and catchy tune. The retreat will be October 11th -13th, in Centerville, north of Huntsville. Thanks to sponsorship, the cost for participants is only $150.

To see the video, Payton Riley’s YouTube page is: www.youtube.com/@PaytonRileyMusic

To download Payton’s music, and ‘Fireflies,’ go to: smithmusic.ffm.to/662582138023 (Fireflies)

For show information or tickets on her local events, go to: paytonrileymusic.com, or bnds.us/9y38dv