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Born in San Francisco and raised in Millbrae, California, and Las Vegas, singer-songwriter Travis Yee now calls Nashville home. “Each place shaped me differently,” said Yee, whose latest singles are “Neon Light Year” and “Prove Em Wrong.” “Growing up in the Bay Area exposed me to a lot of different cultures and perspectives. Las Vegas taught me that entertainment is both an art and a business. Nashville challenged me to take songwriting and country music seriously. Being an Asian American artist in country music isn't something I saw much growing up, so all of those experiences have influenced the stories I tell and the perspective I bring to my music.”

Yee keeps fans updated on social media (https://travisyeehaw.com/links). This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: What do you remember about your first professional gig?

A: It was July of 2020, when I was invited to be on a FOX television show called "I Can See Your Voice." Talk about just throwing myself into the middle of it all. It was scary, but I gained a lot of experience quickly from it.

Q: How do your travels inspire your songwriting?

A: Ideas rarely show up when I'm sitting at my desk trying to force them. Most of my ideas come from conversations, observations and experiences while traveling. I'll record voice notes, save lyric ideas on my phone or write down random phrases that catch my attention.

Travel has taught me that people are more similar than different. Whether I'm in Tennessee, California, South Carolina or somewhere else entirely, people experience the same things – love, heartbreak, self-doubt, family struggles and perseverance. Those shared experiences often find their way into my songs.

Q: As a visible minority working in a genre that's primarily white, did any of the obstacles you faced make you question your artistic choice?

A: Honestly, not really. Some of the criticism I've received has actually inspired my music. My recent single, “Prove Em Wrong,” was born from many of those experiences. Instead of viewing negativity as a reason to stop, I chose to use it as fuel to work harder, write better songs and continue building my audience. At the end of the day, I spend far more time focusing on the people who connect with my music than the people who think I shouldn't be making it.

Q: Did you enjoy country music the most growing up?

A: I didn't grow up listening to country music. I grew up listening to a lot of pop and R&B because that's what my parents listened to. I was a kid during the Usher and Christina Aguilera era, so that's the music that was constantly around me. Shout out to both of them for providing the soundtrack to a good chunk of my childhood. The funny thing is that country music didn't really enter my life until about 10 years ago.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: Tokyo. I visited for the first time in April 2026 and it was also my first time traveling outside of North America. The culture, the food, the people – everything felt completely different from what I was used to. I probably gained five pounds while I was there and have zero regrets. The food quality was incredible, the prices were surprisingly affordable and even in the busiest parts of the city there was a sense of order and calmness that I really admired. It's one of the few places I've visited where I was already thinking about my return trip before I left.

Q: What is your bucket-list venue that you have yet to perform in?

A: The Grand Ole Opry. As a country artist, that's one of the most iconic stages in the world. It's a place that represents the history and tradition of country music and stepping onto that stage would be an incredible milestone.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?

A: Kyoto. Tokyo gets most of the attention, but Kyoto felt special in a completely different way. It's beautiful, peaceful and full of history. Also, if you're someone who takes way too many photos on vacation, Kyoto will absolutely destroy your phone's storage capacity.

Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out?

A: Probably Disneyland. I know that's the least original answer possible, but it's true. I don't remember every detail, but I remember thinking it was the coolest place on earth. Honestly, part of me still does.

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

A: In 2022, I took an Alaska cruise during Thanksgiving. I've been on a lot of cruises, but something about spending the holidays out at sea made it feel more memorable.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: Melbourne, Australia. I'd love to attend the Australian Open and explore the city while I'm there. I'm a huge tennis fan, so being able to watch world-class tennis all day and then explore Melbourne sounds pretty close to a perfect trip.

Q: What is your best or worst vacation memory?

A: When I was a kid visiting the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, I accidentally got separated from my family and got lost inside. For a kid, a giant mansion with endless rooms and hallways is basically a real-life horror movie. My parents found me after a few minutes, but at the time it felt like I had been lost for three business days.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: San Diego is probably at the top of my list. I love the weather, the ocean and the overall lifestyle. Las Vegas will always be near the top because I spent so many years there and it played such a major role in my life. Tokyo quickly became one of my favorites after my recent trip. Beyond those three, I'd include Nashville where I currently live and pursue my music career, and Austin, which has a creative energy that I really enjoy.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A: Fast food.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)

©2026 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c) 2026 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.