So much has happened since Courtnie Ramirez dropped ‘Perfectly Loved’ at the end of last year. As the song took off and started making it’s way to #1 on the Billboard Charts, it coincided with the beginning of a Global pandemic. We were finally able to catch up with Courtnie with Marcus in the Morning!

M: As an artist, how has COVID changed things? How have you continued to do Kingdom business during the quarantine?

C: Since I don’t live in Nashville, it’s always been digital for me in regards to writing. However, it has been different with recording. We’ve had to be very precautious with limited people in the studio. Staying aware, taking people's temperatures and everything. Just wanting to make sure no one is feeling sick.

M: For the people who don’t really know you or are new to your music, let’s go all the way back. Introduce yourself and let everyone know how you got into the music business.

C: I’m Courtnie Ramirez, which is Courtnie with a ‘tnie’ …mama had to be different! I’ve been doing music all of my life, but my passion for music started when I began singing in church. Which led to being on Season 11 of ‘The Voice’ and that’s when everything started. I went to Nashville and was like “Mom and dad, I want to do music forever! I want to do Christian music." I went to Nashville and ended up getting signed on to TobyMac’s record label and now, here we are!

M: I heard there’s an interesting story about The Voice Season 11?

C: Ohhh yeah. I actually went to an open call at Minute Maid. It wasn’t pouring, but it was sprinkling and it was yucky outside. The line was wrapped around the whole stadium! I want to say, it took about 2-3 hours to get through the line. You go into a room and sing your guts out. There’s like 10 people and you only get 15 seconds. I was one of the last people to go and she was like “Thank you everyone." We all started to walk out, as I was leaving, she was like “Oh yeah, Courtnie you can stay behind”. I was like, “Why’d you make me wait that long!!!” I sang ‘All In My Head’ by Tori Kelly.

M: After that, the music game changed for you. What was your expectation?

C: So, I thought it was going to go a lot faster. I’m just so impatient. When I first got started, I didn’t realize how much soul searching I was going to have to do and figuring out ‘Who am I really?’ Being an artist, you have to be true to who you are and not fake. You have to really see who you want to talk to. How do you want to say it? And who do you want to come a cross as? Being with TobyMac’s label has been a huge honor. My expectations have been surpassed, they really do support who you are as an artist and they don’t try to change you. They asked, “What do you want to do? What’s your vibe? What lane do you want to go down?” I was afraid that I was going to get changed because being on ‘The Voice’ they have a certain thing pictured for you and I didn’t get to voice who I wanted to be, I guess that’s just part of showbiz. But, TobyMac’s label was completely opposite, they were like “Who are you? What do you want to be?"

M: Fast forward, you dropped a song called ‘Perfectly Loved’. That’s when I met you and had you on the show. I was so impressed by the song and it took off at NGEN, but it took off across the industry. How did that song come about? Take us through that whole ride.

C: First off, shoutout to the best A&R (artist rep) in the world, Jess Chambers! She came to me and was like, “Ok Court, I have this wild idea!” I’m always up for Jess’ wild ideas because she’s just a boss! She asked what I thought about teaming up with Wande for some girl empowerment!? I was like, YES! Count me in! I love Wande, so I was like “OMG this is a dream!” So, we did that! We did the music video, the music video was so cool! After that, I didn’t really know about the Billboard charts and was completely new to the industry. When my team told me, I think it started at #26 on the charts, I was like “Wait, is this good?” It just kept on climbing, it went to #7 and kept going. If you didn’t see the video on my Instagram- I was so excited, I straight up jumped into a pool! I’m just so spontaneous, I don’t even know how it happened. I still can’t believe I have a #1!

M: The song hit #1 on the Billboards and that was right before COVID hit. What were you expectations that this song was riding so high and then COVID happens?

C: At the time, I wasn’t really worried about my music. I was more worried about the hearts of people and making sure everyone was okay. I’m glad I had this song out because even though our country is going through so much pain, hurt and confusion right now, I’m glad they had my song to hold on to and for me to sing over them, reminding them that God loves them and God is with them during this season.

M: At any point in time, did you feel like “ugh, I don’t even want to do music right now”?

C: Oh yeah. I for sure went through a point that I was like “I just want to chill everyday on the couch” But, then I finally got to the point where I was like, “Wait, this is an opportunity to love on people and encourage people” and that’s always been my heart. That I just want to inspire people and make people laugh.

M: So, you have a new single? What’s the name of the single and how did that process come about?

C: My new song is called ‘Who We Are’. I had very high expectations for this song because I feel like I’m showing you guys more and more of myself. And so this is more of the Latin, fun, groovy side. And, a new remix is coming out! Marty from Social Club Misfits is going to be featuring on it!

M: You’re two home runs in, back to back! Break down this song.

C: I went into the song writing session and was like “I want to talk about stuff that people are afraid to talk about” So I started listing stuff that I’m afraid to talk about. Like things that I don’t like about myself. I love writing real and authentic lyrics, just getting real with people. That’s how the first line came to be, “There’s some things I don’t like to talk about, there’s some things that I’d rather keep under ground” I started to tell them, “I don’t like to show people who I really am because what if they don’t like me? What if this and what if that!” That’s how the song came to be and was born.

M: Full album, full project? What’s next for you?

C: Right now, we’re just going to keep chipping away with the singles. Right now, I have two more singles coming out this year. Fingers crossed that everything goes to plan. But, hopefully, we’ll get an EP under me. And then an album!!