Born in rural central Illinois, Christy Hays never really aspired to be a working songwriter. "I was interested in the wilderness (we didn't have any), Jane Goodall and swimming in the lake." recounts Hays. "I started playing guitar when I was 13 years old, mostly out of curiosity." Hays grew up somewhat surrounded by music, her father, a luthier and guitar player showed her the major chords on her old Gibson. There was no pressure to play but music was a center piece.