Introducing… Maggie Sajak

Meet Maggie Sajak. She’s the daughter of Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak, a student at Princeton University, and an up-and-coming country music singer/songwriter.

CountryMusicIsLove recently caught up with Sajak to discuss her musical influences, the story behind her single, and how she’s balancing a budding country music career and school. See what she had to say below…

CMIL: In what ways did growing up with a father in the spotlight prepare you for having a career in the public eye?

Maggie Sajak: My dad has had a really long-lasting career, so he is definitely a great example for me as I pursue my own career. I’ve seen the positive impact of his work on so many fans and it’s really inspiring. He’s also been able to balance his work and family life really well, which I think is important.

CMIL: What drew you to country music?

MS: Country music has always been my favorite genre because of the stories that the songs tell. There have been so many times I’ve heard a country song and felt like it was explaining my own situation. Now that I’m more involved in the country world, I can see that it’s like a little family, and I’m so happy to be a part of that community.

CMIL: Would you say your music is influenced by anyone in particular?

MS: I definitely take inspiration from many genres and time periods of music. I love modern country, but I also love listening to some older music by artists like Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Emmylou Harris. I’ve always really liked Jewel’s style, and a Jewel song is one of the first I learned to play on guitar.

CMIL: What’s the story behind your single, “Wild Boy?”

MS: “Wild Boy” is about that one guy that most girls will encounter at some point, who is intoxicating and tough to get off your mind. Even though the song is about a guy, it really focuses on the way a girl deals with the situation and how she decides whether or not to put her heart on the line.

CMIL: If you could go on tour with any country artist, who would it be and why?

MS: It would be amazing to tour with Luke Bryan because it seems like everyone has a really great time at his concerts and his performances are so high energy.

CMIL: What’s next for you? Are you working on an album?

MS: I’ve been writing and recording a lot lately, and I’m working on an album for spring of 2014. I’m involved in a few more projects and will definitely be spending some time in Nashville this fall, and everyone can keep up with me on my Facebook and Twitter!

CMIL: What’s it like balancing a budding music career while attending an Ivy League school?

MS: It’s definitely busy! Education has always been very important to me and so has music, so I definitely don’t want to give either of them up. Even though I might be using two different sides of my brain, I think those two aspects of my life work well together and balance each other out.

Fans can keep up with Maggie Sajak on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to visit her official website to learn more. Click HERE to purchase Sajak’s single, “Wild Boy” on iTunes.