 Classic country singer Linda Purrs is reaching a whole new audience. Targeting older women who are rediscovering country music, Linda combines the classic country sound with fun lyrics reflecting on love, heartbreak, and everything in between. Late to the country music scene, it was The Carters and Hank Williams Sr. who made her fond of the genre.
Having lived everywhere from Oregon to Florida and Nashville, where she resides now, she’s entertained many crowds. She most enjoys playing in her yard and the conversations she has afterwards. In 2020, Linda released 19 songs with the hope to tour in March. However, the pandemic had other plans, so she took to Facebook and YouTube where she was able to reach her entire audience. Linda exclaiming, “I am enjoying every moment of it!” You can follow Linda on Facebook and see her most recent livestream here.
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 Kalie Shorr
Kalie Shorr is now adding podcast host to her resume. “Too Much To Say With Kalie Shorr” is distributed by the Bobby Bones Nashville Podcast Network. Bones said, “She is a force in the genre and I’m so excited to add her voice and stories to our growing network.” In 2019 Kalie’s debut album Open Book was named the seventh best album of 2019 by The New York Times. Tezza Tezza released her second single, “Mercury Rising” earlier this year and it has since hit over 2,000,000 streams on Spotify. Being born and raised in upstate New York, she brings a unique take on female pop-country with a Northeastern twist. She has opened for Hunter Hayes and Granger Smith in the past and has also performed at CMA Fest. Caitlin Quisenberry Caitlin Quisenberry is one of the lucky people who is able to say they are in the coveted, “Golden Ticket Club” aka performing in Hollywood on American Idol. Caitlin has been singing and performing for more than a decade. She began working for Grammy-winning producer, Robert Cutarella, for more than a decade. The music video for her debut single, “Blue” premiered on CMT and her music has been featured on dozens of major playlists. Reyna Roberts Reyna Roberts is claiming her spot in country music having already been interviewed by Rolling Stone and being talked about by Carrie Underwood, Mickey Guyton, and Cassadee Pope. Reyna wrote her recent single, “Stompin’ Grounds” with Brantley Gilbert and Noah Henson. Reyna Roberts is a force and is here to make sure that Music Row addresses and supports the BLM movement. Christie Huff Well known in the LA and Orange County music circuit, Christie Huff performs her original songs that feature a soulful sound with a touch of pop. Christie has been featured on the Ty Bentli Show and has opened for artists including, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Kip Moore, and Bebe Rexha. Tiera Tiera is signed to Nicole Gallyon’s record label, Songs & Daughters. Tiera is the flagship songwriter for the label and recently released her track, “Found It In You.” She has also been accepted by the Song Suffragettes, Nashville’s all-women singer-songwriters that perform at The Listening Room every Monday night. Her success has even allowed her to host her own daily radio show on Apple Music called, “The Tiera Show.” Priscilla Block Priscilla Block first caught the attention of millions when going viral on Tik Tok with her song, “Thick Thighs.” Her most recent single, “Just About Over You” went No.1 on the iTunes charts and is climbing the ladder on country radio. The success of “Just About Over You” helped Priscilla score a record deal and she is now working on writing and recording for her debut album. Abby Anderson Texas native, Abby Anderson, is signed to an independent entertainment company, Black River Entertainment. Abby made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2018 and received a standing ovation for her single, “Make Him Wait.” You may recognize Abby from her cover of the hit song “Shallow” that she sings with fellow country artist Jimmie Allen. Abby has performed at Stagecoach, Off The Rails, Country Thunder, Tortuga and has even traveled internationally to perform at C2C in London. Carter Faith Carter Faith has been described as having the chill aesthetic of Kacey Musgraves combined with the emotive lyricism and pointed perspective of Taylor Swift. Carter enrolled in Belmont University’s songwriting program and has performed at prominent venues including the Bluebird Cafe and the Listening Room Cafe. The music video for her single, “Leaving Tennessee” is out now! Emma & Jolie This female country duo brings a mix of storytelling and modern country with sensational harmonies. The UK-based duo met at music college in 2015 and is now signed with Triple Fret Entertainment. Their latest single, “I Don’t Need A Man” was produced by the legendary Johnny Douglas and highlights their perfectly poised harmonies. Renee Blair With songwriting and melodies having been compared to the likes of everything from The Chicks to Nelly to Justin Timerblake, Renee Blair is quickly emerging on the country music scene. She is recognized as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class 2020 and has written with GRAMMY award winning and Songland producer/songwriter, Shane McAnally. Her most recent single, “Heart’s In Your Head” has nearly 500k streams on Spotify! Brittney Spencer Brittney began working as a minister of music at a progressive church in Baltimore which exposed her to the role of culture in music, religion and much of life’s experiences. She moved to Nashville in 2013 and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Music Business. Brittney recently covered The Highwomen’s “Crowded Table” only to be retweeted by Maren Morris and be invited to open for her once touring resumes. Hailey Whitters After nearly a decade in Nashville, Hailey took a step back to reassess her goals. She hadn’t had her big break yet and felt like she was watering herself down to try and fit in. After years and years of hard work she found success with “Ten Year Town”, the song that identified Hailey as one of Nashville’s elite songwriters and artists. Co-written with Brandy Clark, this ballad takes a look at, “what happens when life doesn’t work out as planned and how rejection can ultimately lead to empowerment.” Her album, “The Dream” is out now. Miko Marks In 2006 Miko Marks received the award for Best New Country Artist at the New Music Weekly Awards and also was named “Nashville’s Hottest New Country Star” by People Magazine. Clearly, Miko Marks is no newcomer. Her album, “Our Country” is set to release in March 2021 and is her first album in 12 years. She has never given up on the dream she has devoted her life to. We can’t wait for the album! Kassi Ashton Signed to UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope Records, Kassi Ashton is one of Nashville’s most compelling rising stars. Kassi has an undeniably amazing stage presence and is fearless when it comes to being authentic in her songwriting. Her auto-biographical song, “California, Missouri” paints a picture of her life growing up. She caught the attention of legend Keith Urban who loved her so much, he featured Kassi on his song “Drop Top” on his album Graffiti U. Sacha In the words of Sacha, “I’m a small-town girl, and music has simply been a way of life from a very young age. The stage is like coming home, and the audience is like my family.” Sacha has been a positive feminine force on Canada’s biggest stage and has opened for Canadian country music elite Brett Kissel, Terri Clark, Madeline Merlo, Jess Moskaluke and The Abrahams. She hit national airways in 2018 with her hit charting single, “Good Times Going.” Gabrielle Mooney Extraordinary musical talent runs deep in Gabrielle Mooney’s family, her brother is Shay Mooney of the hit duo Dan + Shay. She has worked with legendary producer and songwriter, Shane McAnally. Walker Hayes’ hit single in 2018, “90’s Country” was co-written by Gabrielle! Her newest music video, “Come On In” shows fans a snapshot of her life growing up in Arkansas. Hannah Ellis The University of Kentucky graduate, Hannah Ellis, competed on Season 8 of The Voice. Rolling Stone has named her an, “Artist To Watch” and Bobby Bones personally invited her to perform on his nationally-syndicated Country music morning radio show. Hannah is a brilliant songwriter and has written songs recorded by artists such as, Carly Pearce, Russell Dickerson, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery and more. Clare Dunn Originally from Colorado, Clare Dunn is a talented female powerhouse who is signed with Big Yellow Dog Music. Clare has opened for notable acts Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Trace Adkins to name a few. Upon first moving to Nashville she sang backup on Luke Bryan’s hit, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” Her new single, “Salt and Lime” was released this year as well as “Honestly: A Personal Collection EP.” Maggie Rose The New York Times proclaimed, “Maggie Rose is a sturdy heartbreaker...full of astute, aggrieved songwriting ... and attitude that even in the post-Miranda Lambert era feels knifelike.” Maggie has the versatility to play anything and anywhere from Bonnaroo to the Grand Ole Opry. Her new single, “Quarantine 45” was written and produced completely in isolation. Halle Kearns Halle Kearns describes her sound as "Easy-listening style country music with a polished and bright pop production influence." She has performed all over the midwest and has opened for acts such as Eli Young Band, Tracy Lawrence and The Oak Ridge Boys. Halle recently released her EP "Finally." Author: Haley Moloney Dolly Parton saves the world
From donating a million dollars to Covid-19 research to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, creating a successful meme, releasing a Christmas album and movie, and saving her 9-year-old costar from an oncoming car, Dolly Parton has proven she can do it all. The hero of 2020. President Barack Obama admitting, “that was a screw-up. I'm surprised. I think I assumed that she had already got one, and that was incorrect,” when asked about giving Dolly Parton a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Black artists receive more recognition, but far from enough In response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and all other black citizens taken from the police, the music industry participated in Blackout Tuesday. Dedicated to the education of and reconnecting to the Black community, the industry at large disconnected from work and social media on June 2nd. Listen to BIPOC artists in country music on our Voices of Color Playlist. Tanya Tucker wins her first Grammy Forty-seven years after her first Grammy Awards nomination, Tanya Tucker wins Best Country Album for “While I’m Living” co-produced with Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings and Best Country Song for “Bring My Flowers Now.” Tucker once again proving she’s a legend in country music. Mickey Guyton makes history at the ACM Awards At the 55th ACM Awards, Mickey Guyton made history as the first solo black female country artist to perform. Guyton performed “What Are you Gonna Tell Her?” about the challenges women and girls have to face in a male-dominated world. Apple Music announces Apple Music Country Radio Country music radio has let us down time and time again, but Apple Music hasn’t. Creating a platform for every lane of this increasingly diverse genre, Apple Music Country reaches every target market. With incredible hosts including Rissi Palmer, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Tiera, and Kelly McCartney, listeners will be able to discover artists they’ve never heard before and hear their stories. Carrie Underwood wins Entertainer of the Year at the ACMs, finally Although ending in a tie with Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood took home the award for Entertainer of the Year at the ACM Awards. Carrie is the first female to win the award since Taylor Swift in 2012. Two albums from Taylor Swift and Kelsea Ballerini Success in 2020 looks different for everyone. It could mean putting on jeans or in the case of Kelsea Ballerini and Taylor Swift it could be releasing two albums in the same year. Ballerini released her album “kelsea” in March. The album was then re-recorded in September when she released “ballerini.” Commenting, “Kelsea is glitter: bold and effervescent and dreams that are boundless. She’s who I want to be. While Ballerini is emotional, vulnerable, soft: observes her surroundings and chooses her words carefully. She’s who I am.” An even more impressive feat Taylor Swift released two albums in 2020, 31 songs in total noting Swift’s age. Both album’s debuting at number one. The Chicks return after fourteen years After being shutout of the country music industry, The Chicks returned with the release of “Gaslighter.” The album reflects the times and their support of equality. The Chicks also dropped “Dixie” from their name in late June of this year. They did this because they wanted to be conscious of the negative connotations that the word has and the historical meaning that it represents. Honorable mentions:
Author: Nicole Marchesi  Singer-songwriter Lilly Winwood is prepared to release a few more records. Originally from the English countryside, Lily spent her summers in Nashville with father and classic rock legend, Steve Winwood. By the summer’s end, she decided to stay learning to write and perform. Influenced by her father’s taste in music as well as Guns and Roses, Jason Isbell, and Brandi Carlile her sound blends rock and Americana. Not afraid to tell the bold truth, Lilly’s songwriting is mature beyond her years. For Lilly, a song can take five minutes or five years to write. In the case of her single, “A Few More Records,” she tells the story of being burnt out but finding the silver linings in it all. Lily’s hope to “show people you don't always have to sit around hating the world around you - you can see the positives and beauty in something ugly and make the most out of it.” You can watch the music video below. Looking forward to 2021, Lily is excited to release her debut album “Time Well Spent.” The album is set to be released on January 29th. It was produced by Alex Munoz and Allen Thompson in Nashville, TN at High Cotton Recording Studio. Stay tuned for more from Lilly by following her on social media @lilywinwood and on her website here. Author: Nicole Marchesi  Following her latest release and music video for “All Three,” Best New Artist GRAMMY nominee, Noah Cyrus has shared a very special and intimate handful of live performances, titled Noah Cyrus – Live From Freehand, LA. Shot recently in Downtown Los Angeles, Noah performed 5 of her self-penned songs from her recent critically acclaimed “The End Of Everything” EP, and serves as the perfect reminder as to why the 20-year-old Nashville-born artist was nominated as Best New Artist in the first place. Watch the complete live session here. In other news, “July” has been certified RIAA DOUBLE PLATINUM in North America. The timeless hit continues grow, amassing an impressive 750 MILLION combined streams to date, also reaching TRIPLE PLATINUM in Australia, Canada and Ireland. “July” is from her critically acclaimed 2020 EP release The End of Everything. Last month, 20-year-old Noah Cyrus joined a very prestigious group of artists as one of the Best New Artist nominees for the 63rd Annual GRAMMY® Awards. The ceremony will air on CBS on Sunday, January 31. |
