By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
The Mahomet Music Festival will have a hometown flavor this weekend.
When Onoleigh Pommier takes the stage on Saturday at 6:10 p.m., it will serve as a homecoming for the 2015 Mahomet-Seymour High School graduate.
“Growing up in Mahomet, the River Festival was always a very vivid weekend of the year, so going back and playing means a lot,” said Pommier, who now lives full-time in Nashville as she pursues a career in the music industry.
Though she has a degree in social work from the University of Missouri, Pommier is chasing another passion.
College didn’t prepare her for the challenges she is facing, however.
“This lifestyle is never boring,” Pommier said. “I am on my toes every day, constantly being pushed out of my comfort zone.
“Just when you think you have the hang of something, the universe throws you a curveball that you somehow have to learn to hit.”
She is a solo artist – but travels with a band – and is trying to make her way on her own.
“I think the hardest part about this lifestyle is that no one is really there checking on you, holding you accountable,” Pommier said. “You have to either take control of your progress or the industry will swallow you up.
“Some days it is all too easy to lay in bed and do nothing, but you have to be the one who sets yourself up and actually gets stuff done. Staying motivated can be hard, but when you are, only great things come to you. It is very cutthroat and you never know who is watching.”
She describes what she refers to as her “desired sound,” as “bluesy/country.”
Though Pommier writes music, she doesn’t yet put a lot of her material in her setlist.
“I sing mostly covers right now publicly, but I am working on A LOT of material, hopefully, to be released in the near future,” she said.
During the summer, she has been a road warrior as she tries to make a name for herself.
“Adjusting to a ‘musicians lifestyle’ was a lot harder than I thought,” Pommier said. “I will usually wake up around 9:30, work out, have breakfast, meetings, and at least one show a day.
“Every day is different and being able to just roll with the punches is extremely important. Sometimes I will play until 2:30 a.m., others I’ll be home by 10 p.m. In the months of June and July, I was gone every weekend, away in a different state, on what is called a ‘Road Gig.’ “
When not traveling, she is a familiar face and voice at numerous Nashville stages, including: Kid Rock, Tootsies, Rippy’s and Honky Tonk Central.
This year is a test run for what Pommier projects for her future.
“Next year will be crazy touring all over the country, but I am trying to use this summer to acclimate,” she said. “I think I have a unique voice, but above the talent, I enjoy getting to know people.
“So many people have talent, but after moving here, I have found that you can’t be afraid – or at least can’t show it – and must be confident and always network. Even when you’re tired and your feet are bleeding from your high heels, you have to meet whomever is going to support you.
“I think that’s what sets me apart. I have always had a strong, powerful voice and songwriting abilities.”
She’s not standing pat with the tried and true songs in her repertoire.
“I have songs that I enjoy performing more than others, but I try to learn a few new ones often just to start incorporating,” Pommier said. “Music should never be boring. There is too much of it out there to settle.”
She wants music to be her means to reach and interact with people.
“It sounds crazy, but I want to go big,” Pommier said. “I have already made big steps to get here, so I figured I’d try to go all the way.
“I want to be someone of positive influence and hold a respectful platform that advocates change. Music is powerful, and I feel I have something to say.”
Before last summer, Pommier had limited experience on stage in front of an audience.
“I had sang publicly at a few talent shows, musicals, and minor things, but the summer of 2018 I went to Nashville, got up on a stage and sang a country song, and then another and another,” she said. “After the fourth one, they offered me a full-time job singing for the Tootsies circuit.”
It was beyond her wildest expectations.
“I couldn’t have imagined this life for myself this time two years ago,” Pommier said, “but I really felt a pull in this direction, so I went for it. I’m so glad I did.”
She had considered making Nashville her home years before she officially relocated in December, 2018.
“When I was 17, I debated going to college at all,” Pommier said. “I visited Nashville and fell in love and instantly told my parents I was moving there.
“I remember being in my senior year of high school, being constantly encouraged to go to school first. ‘It’s only four years,’ they said.
“At the time that sounded SO long, but looking back I wouldn’t have done it any other way. If able, get your education and I will stand by that ‘till the day I die.”
She gained more than maturity during her 3 ½ years at Missouri.
“Although I don’t use my social work degree directly right now, I still learned people skills and ultimately how to transition into adulthood,” Pommier said. “I have lifelong friends from Mizzou that I wouldn’t have met otherwise, who visit me all the time.
“I feel more ready to move forward.”
She grew accustomed to being busy during her final semester of college.
“I was traveling every other weekend to either Nashville for gigs, or border states,” Pommier said. “I used to write my papers in the front seat driving to venues.
“Before I knew it, my focus shifted completely from small scale social work to large scale advocacy and performance. It was definitely hard balancing relationships, school and a whole new world of music.”
Though she is excited about what is in store, Pommier is not rushing the future.
“I have always tried to plan everything,” she said, “but since moving here, I’ve noticed life is just so much better when you actually stop to enjoy it.
“Keeping my mind, body and soul fit is also very important. If you don’t have your health, you are not able to have anything, so I am really trying to get myself balanced.”
Although she maintains a positive and confident attitude, Pommier also knows not to stress over details out of her control, saying she has come to accept, “sometimes being fine with not knowing what is happening.”
As for her writing, she would rather go slow and polish the work rather than release something which she doesn’t find totally satisfying.
“I have always been a perfectionist when passionate, so I have been taking my time writing certain pieces,” Pommier said. “I am only 21, so I can afford to take it all in for a while.”
This weekend, for part of an evening, Pommier will find herself back in her comfort zone.
“Last year was the first time I had ever been a part of the (Mahomet) Music Festival, so this year is even more exciting because I also know what to expect,” she said.
Pommier will open the Saturday evening portion of the music program at 6:10 p.m.
She will be followed on stage by the Feudin’ Hillbillies at 6:45, Smithfield at 8 p.m. and headliner Joe Nichols at 9:30 p.m.
