Music has always been a gift to mankind. To be able to share that with others is even more amazing. But to have both the talent and passion at a young age is truly remarkable. We as a community are very proud of our local Salutatorian senior, Mackenzie Lawhon who is gifted with that desire and wishes to share it with the world.
Mackenzie’s musical abilities were instantaneous for her. “My parents like to joke that I’ve been singing since I came out of the womb. I grew up loving music, and wanting to perform on stage.” But that isn’t a surprise because both of her parents have talents for music as well.
Because of her natural abilities, her parents helped Mackenzie thrive by putting her in piano lessons in second grade with local teacher Debbie Hamilton. This past year she has enhanced her skills by learning to play guitar. Her gifts do not stop there. She is very active with her church worship team at High Ridge Church every week and writes her own songs too. However, between church, instrumental practice, and songwriting Mackenzie stays very busy. She plays sports, is a part of the student council, FCA, and much more. Her parents and sister Marlee, could not be more supportive and proud of her accomplishments.
When asked what really influenced her as a child she really relates to her positive upbringing. Mackenzie says, “Growing up in a Christian household, going to church. It was creating a love for worship; that grew my love for music. Going to church with my family had the biggest influence on my love for something that I knew l had a gift for.”
But her personal style for songwriting isn’t exactly devotional. She expresses that it’s a little bit of everything, just like her. For example, she notes that “It’s really hard to classify your own music. I would say it’s got touches of pop, songwriter coffee house style. A little bit of r&b and touches the Taylor Swift vibe. It’s a little bit all over the place.” Fun fact, she also has a personal love for 1940’s Jazz, Cody Fry, and Frank Sinatra!
As a young adult, Mackenzie has started recording this past year with RoughWood Studios in Weatherford, Texas. She hopefully has an album coming out soon. Upon graduation, she is really excited to attend school at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Being extremely outgoing, she also auditioned to be a part of the University’s Liberty Worship Collective. This exclusive group will have travel opportunities, musical enhancements, and scholarship openings if she is accepted. When she went to tour the college this past April, she was able to audition on the 9th. Not long after that, she was invited for the call-back auditions on the 11th. Then on May 3rd, she was given a virtual interview for the Collective auditions. She is hoping to hear news of an acceptance by the end of this month!
Mackenzie just wants everyone to know and feel the importance of music wherever she goes. “Music is an art form. It’s precious in many different ways. I see that from a perspective of creating music, but also just having a love for listening to music. Music gives us the ability to express and understand emotions that we may not necessarily want to or be able to put into words. It gives to us. It allows people who speak different languages, who come from different backgrounds, to come together. And share something that expresses a common emotion. Whatever emotion that’s being conveyed, people from all different areas can come together and share that. And I think that’s the most beautiful thing about music.”
Mackenzie will be playing at the Hatchet House on May 15th, from 7-10 pm, and again on June 11th! For more on Mackenzie Lawhon, she has provided a personal recording just for us!
Writer | I graduated from Weatherford College with an Associates in Art, focusing on history, creative writings, sociology, and humanities. Experience in child development, client care, and runs local Spoken Word Poetry group for young teens.
