As an aspiring female country artist in Nashville, history suggests that the quickest path to success is somehow aligning oneself with one of the major publishers, producers, songwriters, labels, or managers that are the heart of Music Row. So what do you do if you are an aspiring female country artist in Nashville, and also happen to be the granddaughter of musical icon, Willie Nelson?

You hook up with an independent producer and veteran of the rock/punk scene, write some songs that are part Loretta Lynn, part Cheap Trick, and form the Raelyn Nelson Band.

"I've been told by more than one person in the 'biz' that I'm stubborn like my grandpa. I kind of like that" -Raelyn Nelson.

Raelyn Nelson has been singing since she can remember. Having been raised on a steady diet of traditional country and gospel music, a gift from her grandpa in the form of a guitar during her teenage years was the inspiration she needed to begin writing her own country and folk songs.

Looking for a place to record these songs, a chance meeting through a mutual friend would provide the backdrop for the next step on her non-traditional career path.
Jonathan Bright, veteran of the underground rock scene and independent producer recorded some of these early songs, and they decided to try to write some things together to see what happened.
The result? A completely fresh and original sound, a true hybrid and referred to by some critics as "the first installment in what is surely to be the next hip genre in music: Country/Garage Rock."

With songs written and sound and sound discovered, Jonathan recruited his bandmates (Paulie Simmons and Preach Rutherford) from hard rockers, Defense Wins Championships, and and a rarity in Nashville materialized: A true, honest to goodness BAND, and not a Music Row creation.

"I don't really have any desire to be a 'solo-artist'. Everyone in my family who plays music has always placed a lot of importance on band chemistry, on stage, off stage and in the studio. Our band can almost read each other's minds. Why would I mess with that?"


The Raelyn Nelson Band is currently out supporting their debut EP, available at raelynnelson.com and all digital distributors.

http://www.raelynnelson.com
Follow the RNB on Twitter @raelynnelson