Rylie Bourne

Born and raised in central Illinois, singer-songwriter Rylie Bourne grew up surrounded by music. Some of her earliest memories include tagging along with her dad, a guitar and mandolin player, to countless weekend bluegrass festivals, jams and rehearsals. Rylie absorbed the harmonies and rhythms from the sidelines, quietly building the foundation for what she now credits as the source of her vocal tone and melodic intuition.

Though music was in her blood (her Grandmother and Great Grandfather also played), she initially resisted performing. “I wanted to do my own thing and I was very shy” she recalls. “But eventually I realized that it was something I couldn’t ignore anymore.” By 17, she was taking piano and guitar lessons, and by her early 20s, she was writing songs of her own— shaping a voice that felt uniquely hers.

A pivotal moment came during one of many family trips to Nashville, where she had the chance to attend the Grand Ole Opry and meet Vince Gill for breakfast. The two spoke about a few of her biggest influences — Ashley Monroe and Alison Krauss —and Gill’s advice was simple but firm: “You just have to be here. And don’t give up.” That conversation helped seal her decision to move to Nashville.

Soon after moving to town in 2017, she co-founded the country/southern rock duo LoneHollow with guitarist Damon Atkins. Known for their gritty riffs, tight harmonies, and moody sound, the two built a name for themselves performing everywhere from dive bars to major festivals. It was during this time that Rylie really honed her skills onstage and as a songwriter.

For the last two years, she’s been working to build her catalog while also penning songs for others - like her friends and all-female bluegrass group, Sister Sadie. Her latest solo work pulls even deeper into her roots. She describes her sound as “bluegrass with drums.” It's rooted in tradition, but not bound by it—blending country, Americana, and storytelling with a voice that always brings it home. Whether she’s leaning into nostalgia, humor, heartbreak, or growth, her music offers something familiar yet refreshingly honest.

Rylie’s authenticity is exactly what sets her apart. She doesn’t pretend or chase trends for the sake of fitting in. Instead, she leans into what’s real—and in doing so, invites others to do the same.