​Growing up in a musical family with a collection of 15 banjos, TracieLynn was destined for a career in music. She sang and performed on local stages until she made the big leap to Nashville six months ago. There she met with Grammy award-winning producer Luke Wooten to complete her debut EP coming this fall. 
 
Her debut single “Fat, Drunk, & Pregnant,” released on February 28th and was quick to reach fans as it was featured on Spotify’s New Boots, Fresh Finds: Country, and New Music Nashville playlists. TracieLynn’s music resembles the nitty gritty sound of Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton, who she coincidently met in the studio as a young child. 
 
TracieLynn’s latest single “Good Kind of Crazy” was pitched to her by producer Luke Wooten and written by the Warren Brothers, who famously wrote “Red Solo Cup.” The energy TracieLynn brings to the song is tremendous. A perfect song to forget your worries and dance along. 
 
TracieLynn is just getting started noting, “The ‘music bug’ is something that consumed me at a very young age. I want my music to be real and raw. I don't want my listeners just hearing it; I want them to feel it and be able to relate to it. That is what is most important to me." You can follow TracieLynn on Instagram and Facebook at @TracieLynnMusic and listen to her music here. 
 
Author: Nicole Marchesi 

Sophie Sanders sings to her special somebody in “Nobody Special” out now on Spotify and Apple Music. The release comes on the heels of the Nashville singer-songwriter’s engagement to musician, Grant Geertsma, whom she credits with inspiring the words. “When you think you’re nobody special that nobody sees...remember that of all of the billions of people down here dying to dream their dreams / there’s nobody special as you are to me."

“Nobody Special” marks Sanders’ final planned release in a series of singles this year. As far as what’s next for her, she says it’s keeping on writing and trying to find inspiration in a world that’s twisting and turning every which way lately. Oh, and planning a wedding with that special somebody. 

For more, watch our live interview above. 

Nevada native, Lizzie Cates, has known she wanted to be a country star ever since kindergarten. Lizzie went “all in” with her music when she made the destined move to Nashville three and half years ago. Heavily influenced by her family, her grandma was the one that told her, “If you wanna be a country singer, you gotta be in Nashville.” Having already played iconic venues such as The Bluebird Cafe and being compared to Artist of the Decade, Taylor Swift, Lizzie Cates is here to stay. Lizzie released her first EP “Such A Mess” in April of 2019. Her newest single “I Like The Way” showcases her natural ability to bring lightheartedness, love and a positive energy that keeps fans coming back for more. 

On her 5th birthday, she received a pink sparkly guitar. That was the beginning of it all for Lizzie. She would write her own lyrics to karaoke tracks and perform the songs for anyone that would listen. When she was 12, she taught herself how to play guitar. After attending a Brad Paisley concert in which a curly haired blonde 16-year-old girl named Taylor Swift opened, she realized she had never related more to someone. Lizzie then began to spend her entire days learning how to play and write so she could write songs about her life just like Taylor. While Taylor and The Chicks (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks) were Lizzie’s biggest influences growing up, she has also drawn on influences outside of country music like Boys like Girls, Better Than Ezra, Bryan Adams and Phil Collins. 

When Lizzie Cates performs live, she is also often compared to The Chicks’ Natalie Maines and Kelsea Ballerini. It’s her catchy hooks, silly personality and extreme honesty that make her so relatable. “My album ‘Such a Mess’ was so honest and told my story of first moving to Nashville. I think my new music still has that honesty and vulnerability but I feel like I have grown. These new songs definitely have a lot of metaphors. I think my music showcases me in a real light and makes people feel less alone” says Lizzie. 

Lizzie’s Nashville journey has had tremendous support from family and friends. She has the most supportive best friend back home in Reno, and they have been best friends since the 3rd grade. Her co-writing friends in Nashville are so important to her because they constantly challenge her and provide her with the honest feedback that she is searching for. “You need that especially if you want to be in the music world” says Lizzie on the essential qualities of a supportive tribe. Her tribe also includes her artist manager, Willie Kay from WKG Entertainment and marketing/PR team, Publicity Nation. 

Lizzie’s future in country music will continue to include songwriting no matter what. “I’m not sure if it will be for me and my own artist path or for other artists. Maybe both. I love playing my own music and being on stage, but when it comes down to it, songwriting is where my heart is at.” Her advice to new artists is to always write from the heart and to not force yourself to write a story that isn't you. The songs that always make it come from a place of soul and heart. Her adventurous upbringing hiking in Lake Tahoe leads her to say, “Learn as much as you can! Don’t ever be comfortable. You can ride out a sound only for so long. I always say to experiment a little. Don’t be afraid to take chances with your music.” Lizzie is an avid supporter of female artists. She even says, “I actually listen to way more female country artists than males.” She agrees with us that women have so much to say and work so extremely hard for their place in the industry. 

You can stream Lizzie Cates on all music platforms by searching “Lizzie Cates.” Find clips of her music on her Instagram @lizziecatesmusic. All links are on her website www.lizziecatesmusic.com. ​

​Author: Haley Moloney

Kristi Hoopes, an emerging 70s-inspired country songstress, shares her first release of original music since 2014 with "Don't Worry Mama," a heartfelt ease to her mother's worries as her not-so little girl strikes out on her own for the first time. The track was produced by Grammy winner Paul Worley (The Chicks, Lady A) and seasoned session guitarist Biff Watson (Don Williams, Crystal Gayle).
 
With Kristi's gentle vocal gliding over the melody like a nursery rhyme, the song speaks to the Colorado native's journey from her Rocky Mountain home in pursuit of big city dreams, all while trying to hold onto the small-town memories and morals her mother gave her. Her delicate southern tone paired with lush, twang-soaked strings – played by studio legends like Dan Dugmore and Byron House – harkens back to the classic 70s country sounds of greats like Olivia Newton-John and Emmylou Harris.
 
Kristi dedicates "Don't Worry Mama" to her mother Rose, who has supported her musical aspirations since she first started singing at age 10. Kristi says, "I was at a crossroads between childhood and womanhood when I wrote this song with Biff Watson. Moving to Nashville to start building my new life came with so much excitement, but there was a great deal of homesickness too. I wanted to give my mom something that would remind her that I'd always be her kiddo, that I wouldn't forget all the things she taught me. I think it's only right that the first song to be released from my upcoming EP honors the woman who helped make me who I am."
 
Kristi is hopeful that "Don't Worry Mama" will serve as a means of comfort for listeners who are social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. "In this time of people being unable to see their families and loved ones, I think we all need to be reminded that no amount of distance can separate us from their love. The love we have for each other makes us as close as we've ever been." Kristi turned the chairs of Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Jennifer Hudson before 11.9 million viewers on Season 13 of NBC's The Voice and took her place as a member of Team Blake. Her new music was fully funded by fans via Indiegogo. 
 
"Don't Worry Mama" is now available on all digital retailers. For more, visit www.KristiHoopes.com.