BettySoo

Raised in Texas by first-generation Korean immigrants, BettySoo grew up listening to pop, country, classical, and the Great American Songbook. Older sisters turned her onto singer-songwriters, and nights at Austin's Cactus Cafe and Hole in the Wall cemented her love for Texas troubadours. She lived a typical life, bought a house, worked a job, got married. Then one day, she decided to quit grad school and became a singer/songwriter (sorry, Mom).

Now with 4 solo albums, a solo EP, two duo covers albums, an EP and full length LP with Nobody's Girl, plenty of guest vocals on other great albums (James McMurtry, Eliza Gilkyson, Matt Harlan, Jaimee Harris), and a slew of songwriting awards under her belt, BettySoo's life looks pretty different from how it did years ago.

BettySoo's shows are ever-changing and entertaining - as much for what is said off the cuff between songs as for the songwriting and her breathtaking delivery. Backed by her band in Austin, Texas, she's garnered her share of great show reviews on top of the critical success her albums have achieved. Her newest album was recorded with her friend and cellist Brian Standefer at his studio in Buda, TX. Featuring 12 original songs that cover heavy material - in a range of styles, from fresh pop to raw grit to lush string and woodwind arrangements, When We're Gone has received high praise across the U.S. A side project, an acoustic duo with Canadian dobro master Doug Cox, saw plenty of miles: BettySoo and Doug have played in the States, Canada, England, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

BettySoo's songwriting awards include: Kerrville New Folk Award, Mountain Stage NewSong Winner, Wildflower! Festival Songwriting Competition Winner, Sisters Folk Festival Songwriting Competition Winner, and Big Top Chautauqua Songwriter of the Year. She has been a featured performer at SXSW, International Folk Alliance, Tin Pan South, Kerrville Folk Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, Vancouver Island Folk Festival, Old Settlers Music Festival, Wilderness Songs Festival (Netherlands), and many revered listening rooms.

Her style? There’s a little gospel, some straight-ahead folk, a bit of twang, a bit of pop, and maybe even a familiar oldie with a new twist. If you're planning to see her live, be ready for a surprise. Then again, not much about BettySoo isn’t surprising. People are surprised just to see her take the stage. Plain-faced, petite (clocking in at exactly 5 feet), and freckly, people don’t have any idea what to expect – they certainly don’t expect such a large voice and moving songs. “I guess Asian-American singer-songwriters aren’t that common,” she comments, “at least, not in Texas.” And, of course, there’s the whole issue of her name. How did a second-generation Korean end up with such a classic southern name? Is it a stage name? “No,” she answers, laughing, “I guess I’m just lucky that way. It’s right there on my birth certificate. Soo is my dad’s middle name, too. Yep, he’s a boy named Soo.”

The short version: Grew up in Spring, TX. Lives in Austin. Travels to sing songs. Loves her life.