Pam Ross: Breaking Boundaries and Painting Stories Through Music

Pam Ross is a powerhouse in the music world, blending heartfelt storytelling with a genre-defying sound that captivates audiences. From winning Female Multi-Genre Artist of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards to crafting evocative songs like her new single “Kansas,” Ross’s artistry reflects her dedication to vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and creative evolution. In this interview, she opens up about the pivotal moments in her career, the inspirations behind her music, and how she continues to push the boundaries with her upcoming LP, Outside the Box.

Congratulations on being honored as the Female Multi-Genre Artist of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards! What does this recognition mean to you, and how does it reflect your journey as an artist?

Winning that award was probably the biggest moment in my music career. It was so amazing. I think I was actually in shock after winning. I just walked around backstage at the Grand Old Opry thinking “Did this really happen to me?” It made me feel like all the hard work and sacrifice I’ve put into my music was paying off.

Your new single, “Kansas,” is such a powerful and emotional track. Can you walk us through the creative process of writing this song and how you brought its evocative imagery to life?

I wrote this song years ago back home when I was still living in Seabrook, TX. I dusted it off and thought it was still a good song but needed some lyrical upgrading. Musically it stayed the same, but I re-wrote all the lyrics except for the chorus. The first version was ok, but I wanted more imagery. I wanted the listener to be able to see and feel what was going on. Lines like “I let the crumbled words fly from my hands and watched the waves take them away” paint a much better picture than what I had originally done.

You’ve described “Kansas” as a song about escaping painful memories by seeking solitude in a desolate place. How do you translate deeply personal emotions into something universally relatable for your listeners?

I think the best way to do that is through lyrical imagery. Like I previously mentioned, painting a picture that the listener can see and relate to helps pull them in. They can see it and imagine themselves there. I think the idea of running away to a desolate place to escape painful memories is something almost everyone has felt after they go through a break-up but you can’t just say....I wish I could leave and go somewhere that people don’t know me and ask questions about the break-up. You need to really paint a picture of pain, frustration, and longing to get over things. A little fun fact. I wasn’t going through a break-up when I wrote this song. I started playing the chords and it reminded me of a break-up I went through a couple years earlier. I was really writing about that moment in time.

The blending of genres in your music is one of your trademarks. How does your upcoming LP, "Outside the Box," continue to push boundaries, and what can fans expect from it?

You can expect more of the unexpected. Each song will have its own flavor. You definitely won’t feel as though you’re listening to the same song over and over. I try to put a contrast of tempos and genres on my albums to ensure they don’t sound boring and each song blends into the next.

You’ve mentioned that “Kansas” was inspired by your time back home in Seabrook, Texas. How does your sense of place influence your songwriting and the stories you tell through your music?

I’ve been to a lot of places and I try to tap into that. I have a song on my first album called “My Kinda Ride.” I currently live in North Carolina where there are a lot of pines and that’s what I saw when I started writing that song. You can hear it in the lyrics. If I’m seeing a place in my mind, I try to paint a vivid picture of it in the lyrics.

Your music often explores themes of heartbreak, longing, and healing. Why do you feel it’s important to address these emotions through your songs, and how has your audience responded to these themes?

Well, I don’t think I put a lot of break-up songs on my albums. I also try to use different topics, but I do have sad songs. I have written heartache songs in the past as a way to deal with going through a break-up. I’ve been married for 16 years, so all the sad songs I write now are through memories. People love a good sad song. We’ve all been there, and when we’re going through it, we like something to relate to. People love hearing a song that they can relate to and sing along with. I think it’s a part of healing for the person who writes the song as well as for the person listening to it.

Having received numerous accolades over the years, including Independent Music Network and Who's Hoo Awards, how do these milestones shape your vision for the future of your career?

I hope to continue making music that people like listening to. I want to keep writing my style of music and hopefully continue to reach a broader audience.

With the release of “Kansas” and the anticipation for "Outside the Box," how are you preparing for what’s next? Are there any upcoming tours or special projects you’re excited to share with your fans?

I’m always playing somewhere. Usually in Nashville. I’m in the process of booking a week of shows there for January. I’m already thinking about the next album. I want to record it Nashville

and get a producer that can help me hear things in a new way. I want to keep expanding. I will still be using Marc Frigo for mixing and mastering. I’ve got plenty of songs and have a good idea of what will be on it. Then again, who knows what I’ll write between now and then. I won’t be back in the studio until late 2025 or early 2026.