SAN ANTONIO – If you’ve been watching any reality television lately, you may have noticed several undiscovered Texas musicians have been popping out of the woodwork on shows like “American Idol,” “The Voice,” and “Listen to Your Heart.” It’s no secret that Texas breeds some of the best musicians in the world, but at the current rate, the Lone Star State could figuratively form its own “Hollywood” of Texas music superstars. NBC’s popular new show “Songland” is currently in its second season and a San Antonio native recently got the experience of a lifetime after being featured in the show’s third episode.

“It started with me just sending in these two songs that I had as diary entries for me, you know,” said 26-year-old songwriter Milly Mendoza. “I sent them into the show.” 

“I’ve been songwriting since I was about 14,” she said. “It became like this huge diary that I was holding onto.”

Mendoza said she began pursuing songwriting further through church and worship. She continued to sharpen her craft by working in and out of various music studios.

“I didn’t realize at first that I was gonna be solely a songwriter,” said Mendoza. “I’ve always thought, ‘One day, maybe I’ll release these things,’ but I realized very shortly that I was being a vessel, and that these messages were for someone else.”

After she had that realization, Mendoza began venturing out and sending her songs to new artists and music engineers. She made connections in different cities around the country and built a portfolio of projects and relationships.

“I was on my way back home to Texas, but they called me the day before I was about to leave and said, ‘Hey, we chose your song— can you stay in LA?” recalled Mendoza, “And I was like ‘Of course!’” 

Mendoza’s submission to “Songland” passed numerous behind-the-scenes screenings before being selected. It was in January when the songwriter found out she would be featured. It all happened in the blink of an eye, but Mendoza said the entire experience was unforgettable.

“You don’t see a lot of songwriters coming out of San Antonio,” said Mendoza. “So, it was— it was so crazy to me. It was just surreal.”

“Songland” gives an inside look at how a simple melody can become a record hit in the music industry. On each episode, four undiscovered songwriters pitch an original song to a superstar recording artist and chart-topping music producers Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean and Shane McAnally. Three of the songwriters are chosen to move on to the final stage where they’re paired up with Tedder, Dean and McAnally to work on their songs in the studio.

“When you got there, you just felt like ‘Oh my God, I’m a star!’” said Mendoza, “Just to make it there, alone, was such an honor- whatever was to come was gonna be such an honor, you know?”

Feeling surrounded by like-minded individuals in an unfamiliar circumstance, Mendoza said she instantly connected with the other three contestants.

“We’ve all been on these separate journeys just trying to be heard— to reveal this message that you’ve been given,” said Mendoza. “When we were told that our songs were selected, they didn’t tell us who we were pitching to, so we had no idea!

The San Antonio R&B singer was in for a surprise when she found out she would be pitching her song to someone she has admired for many years.

Milly Mendoza with a fellow show contestant. (Courtesy: Milly Mendoza)

"They divided us in sections,” said Mendoza, “and they said, ‘Alright, front row, you guys will be pitching your song to Gabrielle Wilson,’ and I’m like, ‘That sounds so familiar,’ and then he said ‘Also known as the artist, H.E.R.’ And I literally fell to the floor— I was just in awe!”

Mendoza said she had to repeatedly remind herself “this is real life” through every step of the filming process and remains at a loss for words when thinking about the experience.

“It’s crazy to think you cut this song in your room, and you write it— and you’re just venting, and then it could reach so many people,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be in that position, so it was like just everything that I’ve ever worked for was happening in that one moment.”

Mendoza’s original song, titled “Safe Place,” is a message about love and perseverance. She said her performance on the show was the first time she ever sang in front of a live audience.

“I just got so much positive feedback,” said the songwriter. “Like, ‘Man, that really spoke to me,’ and, ‘I need that song!’ And it just made me feel, like, super-purposed.”

When it was time for Wilson to choose her three favorite songs, she explained her decision to Mendoza with sincerity and grace.

“Unfortunately, you will not be going to the studio. But, you and I will be in studio. That is a promise,” said Wilson to Mendoza on the show.

“When they didn’t choose my song, it’s not like they didn’t choose me”, Mendoza said. “It’s already a huge accomplishment— you feel like they’re acknowledging you as a songwriter.”

Fortunately for Mendoza, her “Songland” journey wasn’t over.

“She’s a woman of her word!” said Mendoza. “She reached out to me the very next day and we got in studio together, and we cut two songs! I definitely feel like God was opening those doors in the right time and places, and I just was— I was in tears! I was really shocked.”

Although her time on the show didn’t go exactly as she may have hoped, the San Antonio native said she believes everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to happen.

“It’s a beautiful milestone that I’ve reached,” said Mendoza. “And I’m humbled and super grateful and thankful for this whole experience.”