Delphi Opera House’s inaugural season is already off to a roaring start, having hosted the Jeff Daniels Band and the Kelley McRae Duo, along with a performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. On Feb. 5, 2016, singer, songwriter, and piano player Nicky Rood will take the stage. Nicky kindly agreed to our interview in hopes of helping Delphi residents get to know and appreciate her better before she comes to town.

When did you first get interested in music?

I first got interested when I was little. Really, I’ve always been interested in music. I grew up in a musical family, and it was just a natural transition for me. I begged my parents to take voice lessons and piano lessons, and some of their friends convinced them to let me take piano lessons which I started when I was five.

What is your favorite song that you’ve written? Does it have a special meaning to you?

That’s a really good question! I would have to say that it’s “I Don’t Know How.” That song was a real turning point for me. It’s just about not knowing how or why a relationship goes stale, and it’s just a really personal song.

What type of music do you listen to in your spare time?

NPR (National Public Radio), classical music, and I’m really into K-LOVE lately.

What do you hope to bring to the Delphi Opera House?

What I really want to bring to Delphi Opera House is just a different experience. An intimate, personal experience where I can be natural, give some backstory on the songs, talk to the audience, and just have a great time.

What are you most excited about for your performance?

To get up on stage and perform. As a songwriter, not a lot is out in the open. It’ll be nice to get to talk about my songs and interact with the audience.

How have you prepared for your music career throughout high school and college?

Oh, I did everything! I was in school plays, musicals, and choir. I took piano lessons, and I was in the recording studio a lot. I also performed as often as I could and really just immersed myself in musical activity.

Tell me about your performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Were you more nervous or excited? Did you feel good about it?

It was a surreal experience. I performed in a smaller performance hall in Carnegie Hall, and it was a full house. To be honest, it was sort of a haunting experience. Performing there, you just have such respect for the space and for the other people who have performed there. I felt so honored and humbled. And of course I was nervous! But yeah, it was absolutely incredible, and it goes by so fast. Once I got off of the stage, I thought “That was fun. I want to do that again!”

Do you hope to expand your music to other genres? What made you choose country?

As a songwriter, I’m always exploring different genres, but it’s hard to switch as an artist. Some songs I write are R&B, some are contemporary Christian. Most of my songs are country, though, because that’s where my songwriter voice fits best. To be honest, I didn’t mean to choose country. I feel like country chose me. During college, I was trying to find my voice in college. I moved to Nashville because it is known as the songwriting capital, and I fell in love with it. Country music made me feel, made me think, made me have an honest human reaction. It’s what makes me feel the most honest and feel the most natural.
Doors will open at 7:00 pm on Feb. 5. The show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased ahead of time at the Delphi Opera House box office (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm) or at the door.