Horsing Around the World: Interview With Shea Fisher
Shea Fisher is releasing her new single, “Take Me Back to Texas,” and we had the chance to catch up with her and talk horses, music, business, and more horses!
Photo courtesy of Shea Fisher
Shea Fisher is an Australian-born singer and songwriter who, after moving to the United States and touring, has made Texas her home. Born into a horse family, she grew up in the rodeo circuit, competing in her first junior rodeo at only five-years-old.
By 19 years of age, Shea accomplished having six #1 singles in Australia, including songs such as “Just the Excuse,” and “Everyday Girl.” The publicity lead her to a record deal in the United States. After moving to Nashville, Shea achieved a top 20 CMT spot with her music video for, “Don’t Chase Me.”
After the record label suddenly shut down, Shea found herself going back to her roots, which took her to Texas. There, she met her husband, World Champion Tie Down Roper, Tyson Durfey. The couple started a family along with having the two businesses, Shea Baby and Shea Michelle Buckles.
Photo courtesy of Shea Fisher
Recently, Shea dove back into the music world and is now ready to release her newest single, “Take Me Back to Texas.” Co-written with Grammy Award winning songwriters Jessie Jo Dillon and Karyn Rochelle, the song is touching as it gives the realization of choices that are made between chasing dreams and longing for the comfort of family and the simplicity of home.
Horse Nation had the opportunity to interview Shea to get the ins and outs of her new single, family life, business endeavors, and her riding career. Here’s what Shea had to say:
For those of our followers that may be seeing you for the first time, can you tell a little about yourself in regards to your musical background and businesses?
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Listening to Shea open up about her personal journey — the highs, the lows, and everything in between — was incredibly moving. Her unwavering positivity in the face of hardships, and the genuine way she speaks about her experiences truly touched me. I never expected to be so emotional, but Shea’s authenticity and raw honesty evoked a deep response in me. There were several moments during the interview where I couldn’t help but tear up — sometimes out of empathy for the pain she’s been through, other times because I felt such a deep sense of joy for her success and growth. Shea’s sincerity and the way she pours her heart into everything she does is truly special. Through these questions, you’ll get a glimpse into just how remarkable and inspiring she really is.
Your new single being released, “Take Me Back to Texas,” is extremely heartfelt and a testament to the draw of two different lifestyles. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and how you and the co-writersdecided on the lyrics?
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Being pulled in different directions by two completely different lifestyles can leave you feeling confused, as each path forces you to question your identity and values in its own way. On one hand, there’s the comfort of a familiar path, offering security and stability. On the other, there’s the allure of something new — challenging, but filled with the potential for growth. The real struggle is making sure you don’t lose yourself in the process of chasing what seems right at the time. Finding your true path often comes from a deep understanding of your core desires and long-term goals. For Shea, the inspiration for her song came when she realized that Texas was where she truly belonged after living in the fast-paced city of Nashville. She captures this dilemma and her longing to return to Texas in her new single, “Take Me Back to Texas.”
What are your goals for this song and music video?
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Shea is thrilled to be back in the music industry with her new song, “Take Me Back to Texas.” For her, this comeback is about proving to herself that she can do it. In an era where social media allows artists to bring their unique ideas to life without relying on traditional record labels, Shea is embracing this freedom. She’s excited that she’s free to create and share music that’s true to her vision, expressing herself authentically without restraint. She’s eager to share this new chapter with her fans.
I know we talked about the inspiration behind your newest single, “Take Me Back to Texas,” but where have you found inspiration for your other hit singles?
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Shea has always found inspiration in the world around her, pouring her life experiences into her songs. However, when she was younger, she didn’t have the wealth of personal experiences to draw from that she does now. In addition to her own experiences, she turned to the stories of others, whether from friends, family, or even characters in movies. Those moments, both real and fictional, became the foundation for her songwriting, allowing her to explore emotions and stories, some she hadn’t yet lived herself.
I understand you took some time off the last few years to focus on family. How are you adjusting to being back into the music business as a wife and mother? How is your family adjusting?
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In the interview, Shea stated diving back into the music business has its challenges but the family is taking it all in stride. Shea is fueled by plenty of coffee and a whole lot of excitement. Her family, well-versed in traveling and life on the road, has been incredibly supportive throughout the journey. They’re excited to watch Shea step back into the music world, cheering her on every step of the way. With a solid support team behind her, Shea portrayed confidence as she embraces this new chapter, knowing she has the love and encouragement of her family.
Photo Courtesy of Shea Fisher
As a mounted shooter competing at CMSA events, your company — Shea Michelle Buckles — is our official buckle sponsor. Having a few in my possession, and absolutely loving them, I’d love to know what made you decide to delve into the custom award business. Where do you find inspiration for the design of your trophy items?
As a mounted shooter proudly wearing some Shea Michelle buckles, it was an awesome experience to speak with the owner and creator of the company. It was clear right away how passionate she is about providing quality buckles to highly influential individuals as well as to smaller equestrian clubs. It was truly inspiring to see how much she genuinely cares about the riders and the quality of her buckles, no matter the price point. It was also incredible to see the buckle designs on her desk, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship that go into each one. It really reinforced the feeling that I’m wearing more than just a buckle, I’m wearing a piece of someone’s dedication and love for the sport.
For the Tyson Durfey fans in our audience, how has he been supportive of your career and what does your husband think of your new single?
It was heartwarming to hear about Tyson Durfey’s unwavering support for his wife’s musical journey. His commitment to being there for her every step of the way really stood out, especially when she shared how present he was during the shooting of her music video. It’s clear that Tyson is fully invested in making it all work for Shea, and that kind of support is admirable. From helping with the details behind the scenes to being her biggest cheerleader, it was inspiring to see how much he believes in her and her music. Their partnership is a beautiful reminder of the power of love and teamwork.
Have you found time to ride with your busy lifestyle? When you do ride, can you tell our readers/viewers the type of riding you do and some of your riding accomplishments?
Shea’s accomplishments in the WPRA are impressive, and hearing her talk about the quirky horses she’s had success on really resonated with me. It was comforting to hear about her journey with those unique, spirited horses, especially since I have a spicy mare of my own that I’m working hard to understand. Shea’s story about her gelding, who is currently being rehabbed after an injury, hit close to home as I, too, have a gelding going through rehab from a performance-related injury. She gave me a sense of hope, showing that it’s possible to click with those quirky horses and that the challenges we face with them can lead to personal growth. Shea’s insight that rehabbing a horse can provide clarity and open up new directions in life was incredibly inspiring, reminding me that sometimes struggles lead to unexpected rewards. I’m excited to watch her meet her goal of becoming the first Australian woman to make it to the NFR. I will make a point to be there, cheering her on, and probably crying because of how proud I am for her.
Which one of the horses on your ranch is your favorite to swing a leg over and why?
It was so much fun listening to Shea share the stories about the horses on her ranch. You could hear the joy in her voice when she talked about watching Tyson bond with his new mare. Then, hearing about Bailey, the horse Tyson won a million dollars on — how could you not love that horse? It was also fascinating to hear about Slick, the Australian import that is her mother’s rodeo horse. Each story not only highlighted the unique personalities of the horses, but also the deep connection and history they share with Shea and her family. It really gave a glimpse into the life they’ve built together with their horses, and how much they mean to them.
Photo Courtesy of Shea Fisher
This interview with Shea has been a true glimpse into her journey, from her incredible accomplishments to her heartfelt return to the music world. Her genuine love for her family, horses, and music shines through in everything she does, and it’s inspiring to see how she’s balancing it all with grace and determination.
Be sure to follow Shea on social media to stay up to date on her latest projects and behind-the-scenes moments. You can finder her on Instagram at @sheafishermusic and on Facebook at Shea Fisher. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for February 28th — her highly anticipated new single is set to drop, and it’s bound to be amazing!
