Living in the Limelight

Krystal King (August 2023)

With a classic sound, freckled face, and a full heart, rising country artist, Krystal King, brings a voice to Nashville that we have all missed. Originally from Hickory, NC, Krystal King has a fresh take on a true country sound, with raw and emotionally laced vocals, and vivid songwriting. ​​     
Her sound has been described as classic, folky, with a little bit of blues and soul.. She pulls inspiration from 90's country artists such as Reba, Alan Jackson, Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack and more. Other influences include Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, and Chris Stapleton. ​ Krystal has performed on many iconic stages including the Bluebird Cafe, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, & Tennessee Tech University. Krystal tours nationally having visited Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Wisconsin, and Arizona in the past year! Enjoy our visit with this amazing artist!  And.....enjoy her new single, "Red Wine" featured in part at the front of the episode and the complete song at the back!

Johnathon Heilbroun (August 2023)

Johnathon Heilbroun is a young artist who is quickly on the rise.  He’s been singing since he could talk, but his passion really took hold a couple of years ago when he did a solo at a Christmas Chorus concert.  He has been moving toward his dream ever since, having released 3 songs and played numerous shows.  He has a tremendously supportive network and is incredibly thankful for everyone who has given him some encouragement.
In this episode, Johnathon shares his passion for music, performing, and for creating his art. 

Jaclyn Kenyon (August 2023)

Jaclyn Kenyon was born to perform.
In 2009, at age 12, Kenyon performed at the Honey Jam showcase in Toronto, Ontario,receiving media attention for being hitherto the youngest performer at the event.
In 2012, Kenyon was named by Toronto Star music critic Ben Rayner as one of twelve "people to watch" in the Toronto area.
In 2015, Kenyon signed her first major production deal with producers Mike Plotnikoff and Igor Khoroshev. Her first album features performances from guitarist Phil X from Bon Jovi and drummer Gil Sharone from Marilyn Manson.
In June 2019, Kenyon signed a global distribution deal with Sony Music's Orchard subsidiary, along with Soundly Music. Her first release “When We Love” was released that month. In July of that year, Kenyon's debut video premiered on CMT.com.
Kenyon moved to Nashville to pursue her career in October 2022 and since that time has been featured on a brand new tv show called “Banded,” where she and her band, “Starland” competed along with other musicians for a recording contract.  Amazingly enough, Jaclyn and her band mates took the prize for the first season of that show! 

JaynaJennings (July 2023)

Only 2% of the population are redheads and Jayna Jennings makes music as unique as her fiery hair. At twenty two years, Jayna has over 80 copyrighted songs, has released 2 albums, an EP, and 11 singles, received 25 nominations in coveted music awards. She received the honor of Folk/Americana/Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year in 2019, 2020, and 2021 at the Josie Music Awards, amassed over 100,000 streams on Spotify alone, and has built a uniquely dedicated global fan-base.
              Jennings began singing in church at age 3, so it was fitting that her first release would be a project of traditional hymns. In 2016, Jennings released her debut EP, Safe & Sound, featuring one original song titled Lord’s Song, and 4 of her favorite hymns celebrating her musical origin and heritage. She made her radio debut the same year and began doing radio interviews to push the release. Jennings was busy promoting this passion project but behind the scenes she was working on her first album, a collection of Folk/Americana originals that would cement her as a songwriter.
              In 2017, Courtyards & Aviaries, Pt. 1, Jayna’s first collection of all original secular songs was released introducing her into the Folk/Americana genre. The album was well received and within the first year of its release, all 9 songs from that album received worldwide radio airplay building her following and introducing her to music enthusiasts across the globe. All singles from Pt. 1 were released after the album itself in a strange but effective release strategy. The singles from this album include Maybe Reprise and Hold on. Hold On was nominated for Song of the Year in the Nashville Universe Awards. She was also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Rising Star, and Songwriter of the Year. Jennings hosted a sold-out release party for Pt. 1 and played a few unreleased songs that would later be released on her next album. “Even before I put out Pt. 1 into the world I was already thinking about the next chapter and what I wanted to say,” Jennings stated, “and I really wanted to push the envelope with the next release and explore new concepts to give a fresh musical makeover while still portraying the precepts laid out in Pt. 1.”
              After 2 years of writing, recording, and strategizing, Jennings announced her second album Courtyards & Aviaries, Pt. 2 would be released August 11, 2019. She released the accompanying single The Blue June 28. The single quickly became a fan and radio favorite. Fans made music videos, blogs shared announcements and reviews, and The Blue quickly became Jennings’ calling card. “The Blue was the perfect choice for a single as it was a wonderful hint of what Jengers (fans of Jennings) would expect from this album in general,” writes Lakisha Skinner of KlefNotes. The second single from Pt. 2 was To Narcissus and was released July 19. Jengers called To Narcissus Jennings’ most mainstream song and found the rhetorical metaphorical allegory a relevant and surefire hit. It quickly surpassed 10,000 streams on Spotify and was Jennings first single to be sent to country radio. An acoustic version of this song was filmed for an Off-Trail Originals video series. Jennings released an accompanying watercolor lyric video hinting at what would come next from her album.
              August 11, 2019 Jennings released her new album Pt. 2 to positive press and an interested audience while touring to promote the new works. “I had my first mini-tour which was super exciting. Pretty much every other weekend we were going out of town or out of state for a show,” Jennings told Jay Plyburn with 11 Alive.
              To Narcissus and Don’t Hurt Me, both songs from Pt. 2, debuted on Country Radio in 2020 and charted top 40. “I was doing a radio interview and Chuck Bryant, the DJ, said ‘you’re just climbing up the charts like crazy!’ which was news to me. I was so shocked and I called my publicist and she told me I was top 40 and I was beyond ecstatic!” Jennings shared.
              In late 2019, Jennings won 1st place in the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair talent show sponsored by 99.3 WCON for her unreleased original, Lost Time. In January of 2020 Jennings performed Lost Time at the Museum of Appalachia in the Tennessee Songwriters Week qualifying round and was 1 of 4 songwriters chosen to perform in the showcase round at the historic Bijou Theater. “To have the opportunity to perform on the same stage where big names like Dolly Parton performed was just insane,” Jennings stated. She had the same enthusiasm when she had the opportunity to perform at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta. When she was one half of the Americana duo Copper River at 13, the two performed at the Velvet Underground at The Hard Rock Café Atlanta & the Peach Drop, and Jennings’ opportunities have blossomed since then. “I have no idea how two thirteen-year-old kids were able to even be in to The Velvet Underground, let alone perform there, so that has always been an incredible memory. I am so glad that nothing has slowed down since then and that I’m still performing and still making incredible memories in gorgeous venues. I take every chance I get to perform, it’s one of those things I just love to do.” In 2019, Jennings was the host of Canyon Rocks Concert Series at Little River Canyon Center and Jacksonville State University. Performers included Jan Smith & Peter Vogl, American Hope, Erin Kirby, Hunter Callahan, Payton Sells, and Canyonland Band.
              After completing her first tour across the South East, Jennings was looking forward to another great year of traveling meeting fans, and performing in 2020 but due to the global Covid-19 outbreak, Jennings was challenged with finding ways to continue performing and keeping in touch with her fans while she and the rest of the world were isolated. While being physically distant, Jennings did not put her music and her social relationship with her fans on hold. She organized a virtual tour during which she performed across all her social media platforms and other influencer Facebook pages through live-streams in a personal, laid back, living room setting conversing with her fans, answering questions, and performing fan favorites and new unreleased songs. She continued to do radio interviews talking about Pt. 2 with WOTG Radio and Country Gold Radio. Jennings was interviewed in 2019 for My Cumming News and in July of 2020 she did a follow up interview discussing making music during a pandemic, her recent engagement, and her 5 Josie Music Awards nominations.
              “Jennings is once again up for Folk/Americana/Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year, which she won in 2019. Her original song "The Blue" is up for Song of the Year, and her most recent album "Courtyards & Aviaries, Part 2" is up for Album of the Year. Jennings is also nominated for Folk/Americana/Bluegrass Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year,” Plyburn reported. The Josie Music Awards are the largest independent music award and a prestigious honor in the independent music industry. Jennings also received the Social Stars Contemporary, Inspirational Artist of the Year 2019.
              Her recent venture beyond the Folk/Americana music produced When I Hear God’s Call, a collaborative effort and her debut in the Contemporary/Gospel genre. After being added to many FM rotations, this track went to Number 1 on several Georgia and Tennessee radio stations and has become a favorite amongst her fans. You, Me, + a Ghost proved a triumphant return to her Folk roots and has had great Spotify success to match her previous singles and paved the way for her bluegrass release, Eliza, later that year. Eliza was nominated for JMA Song of the Year 2021.Jayna’s newest music has revealed her niche- southern gothic storytelling. Stay tuned for her next album- she is already releasing singles and small tastes of this new work. Her latest single, 10:43, exemplifies her songwriting, storytelling abilities, pulling in the listener with both hands into the world she describes. The coming year will feature many new releases, so follow Jayna on all social media platforms to stay up to date on her latest work!

Jennifer Barger (May 2023)

Jennifer Barger is a singer-songwriter from Canton, GA. Inspired by many artists and many things in life, her original music and style of writing falls into the genres of folk, Americana, and easy listening. In 2014, she officially began her music journey and over the years has performed at venues all over North GA and surrounding areas.  She loves writing music, getting in the studio to record, and collaborating with other local artists. Jennifer has always had music in her life and she hopes her art brings joy to every listeners ears.

Maddy Lee Ann (May 2023)

Maddy Lee Ann is an American actor and country music singer & songwriter. She was born in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Florida when she was 11 years old. She began her acting and modeling career at the age of 14. Maddy has been in numerous short films and feature films and has been part of multiple modeling campaigns.  In 2021, Maddy began pursuing a career as a country music singer & songwriter. Check out Maddy’s music on all streaming platforms.

Will Wright (Apr. 2023)

Kentucky born and raised, singer/songwriter Will Wright has been making music (and noise) his whole life.  Will started his musical career performing basement concerts for his family.  He then progressed to singing in church and since 2019, has been entertaining crowds with his high-energy acoustic shows.  Will combines his deep country roots with a little rock, bluegrass, and even a little pop for a fun crowd-pleasing performance.
Will wrote his first song, titled “The Ones That Fought for the Flag,” following an 8th grade school trip to D.C.  His latest release, “Friday Night Buddies,” tells the story of a teenage boy in a small town hanging out with his friends.  That song blew up on TikTok and gained Will a lot of attention as an up and coming songwriter and artist.  Recently, he had the privilege of performing on stage at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN.  And, just last Fall, he headlined the Harvest Stage at “Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom.” 

Jenna Brooke Howell (Apr. 2023)

Jenna Howell, daughter of Kim and Tim Howell, is a well-rounded young lady from the Clayton Community in North Georgia.  Jenna has performed at fairs and festivals, and most recently she was asked to open for Twitty and Lynn in March 2023 as well as being a contestant on Georgia Has Talent. But Jenna is more than just an entertainer. She is a dedicated student, loyal friend, well-rounded athlete, and a Jesus-loving teenager. 

Aaron and Katrina Richard (Mar. 2023)

Aaron & Katrina Richard met at a local record shop and music venue in Cumming, GA. Both of them had fallen in love with music at an early age, and following their relationship, marriage, and the birth of their daughter, it's safe to say their individual melodies are now one collective song. Katrina owns and operates Let's Learn Music Academy, where she and Aaron both teach students of all ages in a wide range of instruments. Her unique talent for skillful vocal riffs and melodic variety breathes life into the duo's work. Aaron is a singer-songwriter in Georgia, specializing in improvisation and lyricism. His soft spot for the songwriting process and a good hook puts the sounds of a musical project into words. Together, they hope to share positivity, love, and hope with any audience they're able to perform for.

Ryan LittleEagle (Mar. 2023)

Ryan LittleEagle is a Native American singer-songwriter and musician from San Antonio, Texas, now living in Black Hills, South Dakota. Influenced by the likes of George Strait, Johnny Cash, and others, Littleeagle blends the rich storytelling of Country/Americana music with the cultural roots of First Nations music, creating a style called "Native Americana." Ryan is a multi-award-winning international performer and musician having won two Native American Music Awards and two Canadian Indigenous Music Awards. Ryan has enjoyed performing for diverse crowds throughout the United States, and internationally in the Caribbean and South America. He has released four albums as well several singles, including his most recent release, “Made for 2,” featured here on this podcast.  Additionally, LittleEagle is a Native American cultural educator and traditional dancer, having spoken at private events, museums, schools, and colleges throughout the United States. His great respect for his culture and people is evident and represented in a positive way through his music.