Saturday, January 30, 2016

She Thought She Could And So She Did: Nikki Briar

The daughter of two aspiring musicians and the first female drummer at her school, Nikki Briar has always known she was destined to be the next great musician this country has ever seen. Her father, a Motown drummer, and her mother, a piano player, taught Nikki how to talk at a young age through their combined love of music. Listening to Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson, Briar grew up familiar with every genre of music. Taught by her father and brother Nikki picked up the art of the drums before moving onto learning the guitar, the instrument she most often uses today. The next step for Nikki took place in New York City where she took singing lessons, modeled, and found herself in on and off Broadway musicals. After college Briar took a job as an elementary school music teacher and married a soldier who soon took off to Iraq. His absence forced Nikki to place all her attention towards her music career and inspired her song “Soldier’s Princess.” After some radio time and a positive response to her new song, Nikki became determined to continue sharing her story through music.
Not one who likes to categorize music, but a fan of the instruments and storytelling of country, Nikki declared herself a country music artist. She loves interacting and connecting with her fans and she hopes to perform at the CMA’s, something Next Women of Country would love to see as well. Along with the CMA’s Nikki plans to take her music international, adding to her fan base and doing what she loves for as many people as possible.
Next Women of Country is so grateful for this amazing artist and excited to feature her new album “Ain’t Just For the Boys” which showcases both the hard work and talent of so many women of country artists. Nikki can be found via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and on her website at www.nikkibriar.com
 

Sunday, January 24, 2016

5 Songs to Check Out This Week

1. Letter -Mary Kate Farmer
2. Careless -RaeLynn
3. Sweet By and By -Miranda Lambert
4. Little Bit Small Town -Kaylee Bell
5. Unknown Soldier -Nikki Briar

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

You May Like Jordyn Stoddard But I'll Tell You Why You Should Love Her


Jordyn Stoddard, a young talent more successful than most at the age of seventeen, has recently caught my eye.  Jordyn currently resides in Jackson Beach Florida and has caught the attention of many, winning Local Artist of the Year in 2013 for her single “Sayonara” and repeatedly strumming her turquoise guitar on local radio and tv stations in the Jacksonville area. Jordyn’s journey all began with the help of Kenny Chesney and her father. At the age of four Jordyn attended her first concert alongside her dad, where she got to hear Kenny Chesney sing, even getting a chance on stage with him. After that impacting experience Jordyn knew her future was in the music business. She began taking piano lessons and at the age of twelve she tackled the art of the guitar. Wanting a symbol to represent her music and success Jordyn started searching for blue guitars. Now Jordyn is known to many of her fans as the girl with the blue guitar.


From Taylor Swift to Kacey Musgraves and Lorde, Jordyn has looked up to many country and pop artists, placing herself in the both the country and pop genres of music. And of course Jordyn has her parents to thank for her success as well.


Through considering entering a singing competition show, such as The Voice or American Idol, Jordyn being too young decided to take her career as an independant artist instead. Her previous highlighting moments include performing alongside Montgomery Gentry, The Gatlin Brothers, Easton Corbin, Matt Stillwell, Sunday Best and headlining for the PRS Rodeo Tour.


During the summer of 2014 Jordyn began working on her first album teaming up with Grammy Award winner David Hall. With several co-writes on the album as well as songs from Nashville’s top songwriters who have a combined 35 #1 singles, the album proved to be of the most anticipated independent releases of 2015. Her album includes 11 songs and her single “Like Me Til' You Love Me.” Jordyn’s album “Southern Tide” earned a spot on Next Women of Country’s “15 Albums You Have to Check Out” and without a doubt deserves her spot on that list alongside Carrie Underwood and Cam.


In the future Jordyn plans to go off to college, most likely attending Belmont College in Nashville taking a major in music business. Jordyn also hopes to keep pushing her music out into the country music scene and is touring currently to spread her music to country fans across the nation.


Jordyn can be found on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and at jordynstodard.com


Monday, January 18, 2016

Carrie Underwood Pushes for Gender Equality in Country Music

Women do not often get the same recognition and opportunities that men have, but things may soon change in the country music industry with Christian singer Carrie Underwood trying to do something about it.
Underwood and her team are helping plan the annual ACM Party For A Cause festival. Whenever Underwood's input is sought, the singer would often push for more female singers to be included in the list of performers"Whenever we were approached to do it, they were like, 'Well, who do you want to have on the bill?' I was like, 'Can we just ask girls?' I just personally think that's a more interesting bill because everybody is unique," Underwood told CMT. "Everybody has their own sound, their own look, their own kind of music, their own voice."
This issue has been hounding Underwood since her "American Idol" days. She has noticed that the industry is more partial to males because females often do not get their time under the sun.
"I felt it from the beginning," she shared. "When we would start talking about potentially playing different shows, other people would talk about, 'Oh, well, we kind of already have a girl on our roster.' Or, 'We already have a girl at the show so we can't have another one.' We've always been outnumbered by the boys."
For Underwood, this is such a waste because women are equally talented as the men. "There are a lot (of women) right now just waiting for their chance," Underwood said, adding, "I refuse to believe that women don't want to hear women."
The ACM Party For A Cause will run for three days on April 1 to 3, 2016. Underwood would headline the first event, followed by Dierks Bentley and Kenney Chesney on the second and third events, respectively.
Ong, Czarina. "Entertainment." Christian Singer Carrie Underwood Pushes for Gender Equality in Country Music. N.p., 18 Jan. 2016. Web. 18 Jan. 2016. <http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.singer.carrie.underwood.pushes.for.gender.equality.in.country.music/76743.htm>.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

5 New Songs to Check Out This Week

1. If You Ask Me To -MacKenzie Porter
2. My Church -Maren Morris
3. Roots and Wings -Miranda Lambert
4. Why Baby Why -Mickey Guyton
5. After the Storm Blows Through -Maddie and Tae

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Merritt Whitley

Sweet, courageous, talented, beautiful- only four of many words to describe Next Women of Country’s next featured artist, Merritt Whitley. Born on September 16, 1991 in Kansas City Missouri, where she currently resides today, Merritt has never been a southern country girl. Believe it or not Merritt grew up as an athlete, picking up her first tennis racket at age four and invited to play professional tennis at the  age of 13. In fact, though always in love with music, Merritt kept her music secret from her parents until high school. When she began to share her songs, Merritt received much positive feedback and found the confidence in herself to fully pursue music.



Taking the college tennis path, rather than the professional one, gave Merritt the time to record her first album in 2010. Merritt was offered a full ride scholarship to Eastern Illinois University for tennis and majored in journalism, taking public relations and advertising as a minor. Unfortunately Merritt's scholarship forced her to put aside music for awhile. Merritt was told that if she wanted to keep her scholarship that she would have to give up her music promotion, due to a NCAA rule stating while under contract an athlete can’t have their photos associated with anything other than their sport. Eventually Merritt graduated with a bachelor's degree and began pursuing her music again with the support of her friends and family.


From movies to just life in general, Merritt finds inspiration for her music everywhere. Merritt strives to stay true to herself similar to artists Tori Kelly and Colbie Caillat, who Merritt looks up to as she continues to further her music career. Merritt writes her songs to follow a story, something women in country do best. Recently Merritt released her second album “Wait for Me” and she hopes to simply keep making music with a goal to heard.


Merritt is an inspiration to dream chasers and all the artists out there scared of sharing their music with the world. She advises to just “be who you are, and never compromise that for anyone. I think it's important to realize that not everyone is going to support your dream, or even like the music you make, and that is okay. It doesn't mean that you don't have talent, it's just part of life! Music is subjective, and people will find ways to discourage your dreams. Don't let them. Believe in yourself, and believe in what you are doing. Also, be good to people. Be nice, and responsive to the people that do support you! These are the people you need to remember, and thank regularly!”


Working with Merritt myself and hearing her perform live has shown me that this girl has a big future in front of her and I can’t wait to see Merritt go all the way. For all those who haven’t heard Merritt’s music yet, you can find her songs available on iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, and on her website at www.merrittwhitley.com

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Ten Songs to Check Out This Week

1. Dance Hall -Emily Brooke
2. Outta My Head -Alexandra Demetree
3. Sayonara -Jordyn Stoddard
4. Pop That Bottle -Jana Kramer
5. Games -Kylie Mac
6. Clock Don't Stop -Carrie Underwood
7. Peter Pan -Kelsea Ballerini
8. Loaded Gun -Lauren Davidson
9. Raging River -Kaitlyn Baker
10. Should Have Known Better -Aileeah Colgan