 Never one to shy away from the stage, Amber Ikeman enjoyed musical theatre as a child. With her friends and family by her side and a can do attitude, Amber recently decided to pursue a career in music. Her music is written as an introduction to her resilience, adventurous spirit, and passion for women’s equality. Inspired by Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, Amber hopes to follow in their footsteps and encourage women to blaze their own trails.
Her newest single Wild Buffalo was written in response to feeling pressured about settling down. The song encourages her listeners to challenge stereotypes and follow which ever path is right for them. Aspiring to tour the world knowing “that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself and that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams,” Amber isn’t about to slow down anytime soon. For now you can find her music on iTunes and Spotify or on her website at www.amberikeman.com.
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 Sisters Kayleigh and Kristin Demlow form the duo Steel Ivory and together are ready to bring a totally new sound to country music. Learning to play the acoustic guitar in their high school years, the two began playing at local venues in Ohio where they grew up. Influenced by their father who is a musician himself, their love of music came naturally as did their passion for songwriting. Often writing of personal experiences, the sisters hope their music is relatable and uplifting to those who’ve experienced similar events.
Based in Nashville, Steel Ivory auditioned to be featured on the album Nashville Dremin', which features twelve up and coming artists you’re going to want to keep an eye out for. The album is set to be released on November 24th and includes their single Never Been Kissed. For even more exciting news, the duo plans to release their debut album this upcoming year. As for performing, these sisters are the least bit shy. Having opening for country stars Scotty McCreery and Tyler Farr as well as preparing for their Opry Mills debut happening November 12th, the duo can’t wait to set out on tour and share their music with as many people as possible. So stay tuned for new music to come by following Steel Ivory on Facebook and Twitter plus check out their latest release available now on Spotify.  It’s taken six months and three producers to find the rock-infused country sound that Kalie Shorr has been looking for, but she’s finally found it and it’s going to be a game changer. Two Hands, the first single off of her highly-anticipated project, premiered exclusively on Radio Disney Country’s Spotlight show followed by immediate rotation on Radio Disney Country.
“I’ve always known ‘Two Hands’ was special. I was so excited the day I wrote it because it was the first love song I had ever written that felt honest to the way I fall in love. I’ve always loved the darker side of writing - whether it’s sassy, or angsty, or moody - but this one still incorporates all of that. Love itself is so complex and crazy and messy - and so am I. Two Hands is about being yourself, owning your strengths and weaknesses, and celebrating the people who love you for all that you are,” expresses Kalie. “’Two Hands up for Kalie Shorr,” comments Phil Guerini, GM of Radio Disney Networks. “We are proud to premiere this next chapter song and sound from one of today’s most promising new artists and songwriters.” Streaming support has also played a huge part in Shorr’s success and is continuing to grow her fan base exponentially. Currently #1 on Breaking Country and added on Cool Country playlists on Apple Music. You can also find her music on Spotify, and on her website at http://www.kalieshorr.com/.  Influenced by everything from Disney to 90’s country as a child, artist Raihanna Estrada is always full of new ideas to incorporate into her music. Along with a melody that is fun and embraces both the traditional and contemporary sounds of country music, Raihanna’s music stands out from the rest.
Her husband, a guitar player, often collaborates with Raihanna whether at home belting out a tune for their friends and family or in the studio producing a new EP. Together they collaborated to produce her newest single Jump Off The Train, which was written while Raihanna was traveling on a train to visit friends in Sweden. About spontaneous love and new beginnings, you’re sure to fall in love with the track. Coming this November, Raihanna will be featured on the album Nashville Dreaming which features twelve up and coming artists in country music that you’re gonna want to keep an eye out for. The album is produced by John Willis and includes Raihanna’s single Road Trippin’, perfect for your trip home for the holidays. Playing shows weekly with her husband in Nashville, Raihanna couldn’t ask for anything more. Hoping to share her music with as many people as she can as well as return to California for a homebound tour in the future, Raihanna is just beginning her musical journey. So check out her new single Jump Off The Train and stay tuned for the release of Nashville Dreaming this November!  Like how most stories go Melanie Meriney saw Shania Twain in concert and was instantly inspired to follow in her footsteps. Signing up for singing lessons the next day and picking up the guitar in 7th grade, Melanie hasn’t stopped singing since. With her mother by her side, Melanie began writing her own music. Based off personal experiences as well as emotions as expressed in the form of motifs, Melanie’s music causes her listeners to look at the world with a whole new perspective.
Her latest EP Up In Lights, showcases Melanie’s powerful vocals and diverse sound which consists of everything from rock to hip hop and country influences. Her single Lifeboat was crafted by Melanie herself and features an upbeat sound that will get anyone on their feet. Produced with Joshua Mendez, who had a similar mindset about the track’s sound, Melanie couldn’t be more confident in the song’s success. As for the future, Melanie can’t wait to surprise us with her music video for Lifeboat as well as wanting to hit the road in the upcoming year. So check out Melanie on her socials @MelanieMeriney and find her music available on iTunes and Spotify here.  Cherish Lee is quickly becoming known as country music’s “rebel with a heart of gold”! She’s not only an artist, but an honest and maternal figure to all those that are beat down and in need of love. In fact Cherish was feeding her son Wyatt while we interviewed her. An artist who writes to paint a picture, her songs are relatable and have the ability to be enjoyed by all. With the belief that one should not have to pay an arm and a leg in order to share what they love with the world, Cherish self funded her latest album stating “I refuse to pay money to make it on the ‘music charts!’ I want it to happen, because I worked my ass off, and people actually want to hear my songs! What happened to passion, storytelling, rebels with a cause, and music that had its merits in how damn good it was, and how it made you feel? Our forefathers in music would be ashamed of us.” As a result Lee’s album cost less than $1,500 to record, reminiscent of Nirvana’s first album, “Bleach”, which cost $600.
Lee’s first-time producer, Nate Wedan, quickly found the heartbeat of the album and added his own spectacular flair to it. Cherish says “I wanted to have the people on this album, who made my heart skip a beat when I saw them live, and that’s what I did. I couldn’t have made the album without the people I’ve been blessed to co-write with, all the badass musicians that worked on it and Wedan. I was respectfully allowed to be the artist, and most importantly, a mother. Nobody flinched at Wyatt coming into the studio with me, and in many of the sessions, I’d be holding him while cutting vocals!” Cherish has quickly gained her own recognition as a singer and songwriter. This October 2017, Lee is releasing her first single Tequila Cowgirl, along with her music video debut. Tequila Cowgirl is about an all American girl who knows right from wrong and lives by that. The song has an intimate, nostalgic feel to it with a healthy dose of country music. The full album, Tequila Cowgirl, is scheduled for release in January 2018 and as for the future Cherish can't wait to get back into the studio and continue telling us her story.  Accomplished independent country artist Logan Mize, has signed exclusively with United Talent Agency for worldwide representation. In addition, Mize will close out a hugely successful year on tour with “Burning House” singer/songwriter, Cam on her 2017 Best Coast Tour. The tour kicks off on November 28th at the iconic Madonna Inn and includes stops up and down the West Coast.
“We are all very excited, here at UTA, to have the opportunity to work with Logan Mize. He has proven himself as a performer and has done an exceptional job cultivating a loyal fan base who passionately pack out venues all over the country to see his show. He has all the qualities of a successful entertainer that an agency could ask for. We greatly look forward to collaborating with Logan to further his career,” expressed Josh Garrett, Music Agent at UTA. “I'm so excited to be joining Cam on her Best Coast Tour. We have been buds for a long while and it's going to be great getting to share a stage every night for a few weeks. I'm a huge fan of hers, as well, so I'm very much looking forward to being a spectator!” said Mize. So listen to the Logan’s new release, Come Back Road, on New Boots and Country Kind of Love on Spotify and download his music on iTunes and Amazon Music.  Los Angeles (October 6, 2017) -- Artist of the Year nominee Kaylee Rutland wants to showcase every side of herself with the release of her new EP That Side of Me. Featuring songs both written recently and during her beginnings as a country music artist, each track is unique and conveys a different emotion. Co-written with her hero Jamie O’Neal, Kaylee was fascinated by her experience with drawing out emotions and building a story out of cluster of ideas.
The EP’s title track That Side of Me, talks of a special person in Kaylee’s life who brought out a new side of herself - one she learned to fall in love with. Hoping that her fans search for a new side of themselves upon listening to the EP, Kaylee wants to inspire growth as you can never stop learning new things. Allowing to add her own creativity to the writing process as well as to the production of the EP, Kaylee enjoyed the challenge. From interviews to videos sharing the story behind each song, Kaylee wants to share who she is as an artist with as many people as possible. With the success of Pick Me Up and a music video on the way, it’s no wonder Kaylee is one of our nominees for Artist of the Year. So make sure to hear her full EP available on iTunes and Spotify and don't forget to vote Kaylee Rutland as the 2017 Artist of the Year on our Twitter page here.  Coming from a musical family, music was always in the back of artist Natalie Alexander’s mind as a child. A dancer her whole life as well as a competitive figure skater, Natalie did it all. But it was her mom’s influence and brothers’ involvement in the music industry that compelled Natalie to pursue a career as a singer.
Beginning as a manager for her brothers’ band, Natalie wanted to explore her own abilities as an artist and did so without telling any of her friends. Upon releasing her debut single Cruel, Natalie received a lot of praise from not only her friends and family but also her community. With an upbeat sound and meaningful lyrics, Cruel allowed Natalie to connect to fans of all ages, as if they were her best friend. Knowing her music mattered, Natalie set out to write a full EP. Writing of her own experiences, Natalie hopes her EP informs her listeners of who she is as an artist. Inspired by Carrie Underwood and Shania Twain Natalie's music has a classic sound, yet is relatable to her current audience. As for the future, Natalie wants to continue evolving and adding another female voice to the country music scene. So find Natalie’s music now on iTunes, Spotify, and on her website at www.nataliealexandermusic.com.
A world traveler as a child who was constantly trying new things, it wasn’t until high school when artist Toni Nihi found a passion for drama. Outside of her home, Toni’s ambition for music was kept a secret until she realized that music was the only way to truly express herself. Writing of her carefree attitude as well as her thoughts and emotions, Toni’s music shares her story in a unique way.
Her newest release Paradise, encourages young men to ignore the stereotypes and just be themselves. The second track off her album "Aesthetics", Paradise is just the first of Toni’s success stories. Knowing that it's okay to have moment of doubt, we’re confident Toni is going to continue to amaze us in the upcoming years. With a goal to bring happiness to her life and others, you must check out Toni’s music available now on Soundcloud and on YouTube. |
FOLLOW USABOUT MEI am currently a student at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles as a marketing major. Upon realizing that I wanted to change the way people perceive country music and to help women have a voice, I began The Women of Country in 2015 promoting new female artists and sharing their stories with the world. You can find me via Instagram @nicolemmarchesi or contact me via email at nextwomenofcountry@gmail.com ARCHIVES
February 2019
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