Who Is HunterGirl? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

Today’s spotlight is shining on a budding artist that you may already know and love: HunterGirl. She blew people away on American Idol, but the singer-songwriter has been cutting her teeth in the music industry since she was a little girl. Learn about how her story has unfolded in our conversation below.

Growing up in East Tennessee, HunterGirl always loved music. “I grew up 5 minutes from my grandparents growing up, so I would go to their house all the time. I would hear Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash. I grew up loving – I wanted to be exactly like Dolly growing up,” shared the songstress. She recalls singing at church, at county fairs, and at talent shows for as long as she could remember, drawing inspiration from some of her favorite artists.

“Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire were the two women in country music that I was like, “oh my gosh, I love their music and their songwriting, but I really just love who they are as people.” […] I wanted to be an artist like that,” shared HunterGirl, adding later, “I listened to everything growing up. My mom loved P!NK, so I loved the tough, gritty songs, and my dad listened to rock music, so I had a lot of influence growing up from all sorts of genres, and the first band I ever sang in was a blues band.”

When she was barely in high school, HunterGirl joined her first band. “Whenever I turned fourteen, I joined a band and started traveling around everywhere, my parents brought me everywhere.” Then, at eighteen, she immediately moved to Nashville.

The Turning Point:

While attending college, HunterGirl started making a name for herself in Nashville, playing shows on Broadway, seven days a week. “I would have 8AM classes, and I would play 6-2AM, and get ready for my morning classes. I would sleep for a few hours and write songs, and do anything I could to try to get better and make it in music one day,” shared the songstress.

While in Nashville, HunterGirl worked hard to hone her craft as both a singer and as a songwriter. “I always had that dream and my family was super supportive. They were like if you want to do this, you’re going to have to work really, really hard for it.” She added later, “I love the songwriting community here in Nashville […] A songwriter and artist that I really look up to is Julia Michaels. I also love Ashley McBryde [and] Brantley Gilbert.”

By happenstance, after auditioning in her youth, HunterGirl received an email to audition for American Idol. Despite that, it was not until being approached at one of her shows later in the week that she actually decided to take the plunge. “A girl came up to me at the end of the show and was like ‘hey I used to be a producer on Idol, and I really think you should audition this year.’ And I was like Oh my gosh, twice in two days. Okay, God I get your sign, I’m going to go for it and see what happens,” shared the singer.

Of course, American Idol ended up being a great experience for the singer-songwriter. She achieved the runner-up spot in her season.

Today:

Flash forward to today, now as a signed artist, HunterGirl is living her dream. She gets to create music that touches fans all over the world, something she has always desired. “Songwriting is the place where I get everything out of my head. It’s my therapy with a guitar, she began. “I want to write songs that help people and get them through those rough singles, like my first single, “Red Bird.” It was a heart song.”

Her most recent single, “Hometown Out Of Me” is also a heart song. “‘Hometown Out Of Me’ was a big thank you to my hometown.” HunterGirl added later, “I always wanted to write a song for my hometown […] My hometown supported me ever since I was a little girl playing in the town square […] And then would have watch parties every Sunday, whenever I was on the show, cheering me on.”

This is only just the beginning for the rising artist. She will continue to play shows and write new music as we head into the new year. “I wake up every day, and I”m like “oh my gosh is this real?!” Because I wanted to do this ever since I was a little girl.” It is not lost on HunterGirl how incredible her journey has been and will continue to be!

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