Today’s spotlight shines on an artist who you might recognize: Grace Leer. After her impressive stint on American Idol, Leer has transformed her growing following into diehard fans. As we anticipate the release of her debut EP, the singer-songwriter shared with us all about her journey.

A California-native, Leer always had a passion for music. “I started singing at the age of six and started doing talent shows, and absolutely fell in love with performing and being on stage,” Leer shared. “I caught the bug early on.”

The songstress recalls always singing and performing around her town, while still playing competitive soccer (her other passion). She drew inspiration from talented female artists in the music industry.

“It was a lot of 90s pop and 90s country,” shared Leer, adding, “It was all these female 90s powerhouses for me, but being from California, I had all these other influences like rock and roll and soul, and blues, and like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.” She also credits country megastars like Shania Twain and The Chicks as some of her all-time favorites.

Despite loving music, Leer decided to take a more straight and narrow path upon graduating high school. “I had a pretty down-to-earth upbringing and then I was pretty fortunate to receive a scholarship to play soccer at UC Berkeley, so I ended up going to college, and playing soccer, and then after graduating, that’s when I felt I could really give 100% to music.”

The Turning Point:

Upon graduating with her degree, Leer was ready to put music at the forefront. “I felt like I had these boxes I needed to check before I gave everything to music and made it a full-time career,” shared the singer. She added that she never stopped performing, but that she really upped the ante after graduating.

“I started performing around the Bay Area again and started a country band with a friend of mine, and we started to write and perform our own music. Until eventually, I said I think we need to move to Nashville.”

In 2017, Leer made the move to Nashville. She began balancing a full-time job with weekend gigs all over Music City, truly honing in on her sound and talent. Eventually, American Idol happened, which catapulted her dream to the ethers.

“It kind of changed my life,” Leer began. “American Idol was incredible. […] Looking back now, I am just so grateful that I did it.” The singer recalls the new-found confidence she gained from making it top ten; despite, being being 28 when she auditioned. “I remember getting eliminated at top ten and being like this is awesome, I am ready to keep going.”

From that point on, Leer quit her 9-5, and music became her full-time focus.

Today:

Now, Leer can officially says she is a rising country music starlet. The singer-songwriter’s self-titled debut EP is officially dropping on September 14th. The EP boasts songs she wrote, as well as, outside cuts that she relates to.

“The EP is my debut EP. […] It’s just this introduction to people, post Americana Idol to see me as a songwriter and as an artist. It is a little bit country, a little bit California. It’s a little bit mainstream. It’s these true stories,” shared Leer.

She later adds, “It’s self-titled because it’s these real things that I’ve been through and it’s a way for me to connect with my fans on a deeper level with my writing and with my storytelling.”

Fans can anticipate a few heartbreak songs like, “Brought A Girl,” and “After 1,” as well as, fun-loving songs like “Ones Before Me.” The latter is an outside cut that Leer fell in love with upon listening. “[It is] definitely that song I think that represents what has influenced me as an artist and people who have paved the way for me to do what I am able to do now.”

Leer even brings her artistry to her music videos, as well was, a digital cookbook (Taste of Grace) that compliments the EP. This is only just the beginning for the singer-songwriter, and it appears that big things are on the horizon for her.

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