To Be Yours Music! Music & Me

 Welcome to my musical journey! I am so glad you're here. 

How I feel about sharing my love for music! LET's GOOOOOO

  Hello! My name is Bryson Swofford, and I am a freshman here at Converse University majoring in English Secondary Education (to put that in the simplest form I want to teach high schooler's english). I was born and raised in Chesnee, SC, which is about 20 minutes away from Converse. Chesnee, truly has shaped me into the person that I am today. Plus, I got to have the privilege of having a Converse alumni (Dr. Vaneman will like this plug) Mrs. Julie Keeling; Chesnee Middle School band director (Everyone deserves to have a Mrs. Keeling in their life, plus that's my twin we are born on the same day).  I have one sister whom is younger than me and we live with our amazing nana; Tessa. 

Music is my LIFE, without music I truly wouldn't be where I am today. For all my life music has been the driving force in my life. From singing in both choirs and solo work, to performing in both my high schools concert and marching band (Bari Saxophone is the best instrument out there). With music being the soundtrack of my life it has allowed me to full embody this person I want to become. I also, LOVE going to concerts they're my happy place I have been to 45 concerts thus far, but have 6 planned for this year as of right now. (photographed below is me with my twin aka Mrs. Keeling in our matching Lady Gaga Chromatica Ball t-shirts I bought when I saw her in 2022 in Atlanta, GA).     

 

 Clearly music is the center of my life, so allow me to welcome you even more on this journey...

1. An Two Examples  of something I like right now (but been riding with them for awhile):

For pretty much my Middle School journey I had two artist I mostly listened to which was Katy Perry and Lady Gaga (so 2016, and been a ride-or-die Katycat and Little Monster since then). They both helped me discover who I was as a person, but also allowed me to navigate the craziness of Middle School life. Currently, I have had Lady Gaga's new single "Abracadabra" from her brand new album "MAYHEM" which will be released on March 7th, 2025. This song is a BEAUTIFUL balance sonically of Gaga's new, but also her old music (if you like Bad Romance or Alejandro then you will be OBSESSED).  As stated up top I had the privillage of seeing Gaga back on her "Chromatica Ball: Summer Stadium Tour" on August 27th, 2022 in Atlanta, GA. Yes, of course I cried my eyes out seeing her in particular during her 2011 single "The Edge of Glory". 

Enjoy this piece of art, you can thank me later :)

My second example, is Katy Perry's new single entitled "Lifetimes" off of her brand new album "143" which was released on September 20th, 2024. This song celebrates life, but also this is her love letter to her Katycat which speaks volume of who Katy is as a person. On August 20th, 2025 I will FINALLY have the honor and privilege of seeing Katy LIVE in concert on her "The Lifetimes Tour" in Atlanta, GA. So, the tears will also be flooding also. 

I hope you have your dancing shoes on ready to dance!

2. An example of music that deeply important to me. Omg, I have made it this far and not talked about my favorite artist, human being, and MY queen Ms. Jennifer Lopez. Jennifer's music, helped me get out of the most darkest tunnel in my life, I refer to her as my "light" without her I truly wouldn't be here. I listen to her ALL the time...Literally (last year it was over 30,000 times). But one song in particular that is my motivation song is one off her brand new album, which is the title track "This Is Me...Now" which was released last year on February, 16th, 2024. I listen to this song every morning as it's my moto and my reasoning to keep pushing through. Without Jennifer I wouldn't be here today, she saved me. I had tickets to see 6 times last year (Miami, Indianapolis, New York City 2x's, Raleigh, and Atlanta), but unfortunately she had to cancel due to some issues going on within her private life, and to take the summer off. 

Now, listen to my mother, my queen, my literal everything!

 

3. An example of music that I don't really connect with. Oh my, I might get dragged for this, but I appreciate EVERYONE's music taste, but there is one song in particular which is "Guess" by Charli XCX and Billie Ellish. I have tried to get into both of their music, but it's just something that doesn't go well with me. There is just a lot going on with it, but hey if you dig it keep listening on!

BONUS!!!

One of my favorite artist is Carly Pearce who is a country artist! I have had the privilege of seeing her two times, with tickets to see her in April in Knoxville, TN on her "hummingbird:world tour". During both of my past experiences I have had the opportunity of meeting Carly (she is SO sweet, and very funny). This is from the first time in Simpsonville, SC on October 1st, 2021. 

I hope you enjoyed the ride, now if you will excuse me I got to go listen to some JLO.