Lauren Watkins Signs With Big Loud Records, Songs & Daughters

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Pictured (L-R): Songs & Daughter’s Nicolle Galyon, Lauren Watkins and Big Loud’s Seth England. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle

Singer-songwriter Lauren Watkins has signed with Big Loud Records and Songs & Daughters. Watkins will release a two-song teaser this Friday, April 14 with her first-ever singles, “Shirley Temple” and “Camel Blues.”

Raised in South Nashville with three sisters, Watkins grew up on classic country and Southern rock, heavily influenced by Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Chicks and more. She spent her college years at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) playing acoustic sets at hole-in-the-wall dives and piecing together a lyrical style all her own, filled with hard-edged, no-frills truth telling.

“Lauren Watkins is a rare talent,” says Seth England, Big Loud CEO & Partner. “We’ve been quietly working on what we believe will be one of the most exciting new artists in our format for about a year, listening to the music she’s turned in and pinching ourselves at the incredible poetry and musicality. It’s a privilege to be part of her team of champions and advocates.”

Pictured (L-R, back row): Big Loud’s Stacy Blythe, Jeff Tanner, Candice Watkins, Songs & Daughters’ Nicolle Galyon, Big Loud’s Camille Kenny, Seth England and Joey Moi. (L-R, front row): Songs & Daughters’ Bethany Mako, Big Loud’s Kimberly Gleason, Lauren Watkins, Big Loud’s Patch Culbertson and Austen Adams. Photo: Chris Hornbuckle

“Everything about Lauren’s writing and voice is a perfect representation of who she is as a person – effortless and unique,” adds Nicolle Galyon, Head of Songs & Daughters. “There really is no limit to where her songs will take her and I’m so excited for the world to get to hear what we hear.”

“Country music has been one of the biggest parts of my life for as long as I can remember,” says Watkins. “And all this time I’ve had this vision and dream in my head of what it would look and sound like when I finally got to make music of my own. Songs & Daughters and Big Loud have given me the space and the time to actually do it. These songs were always gonna exist because they’re just my life in melodies. Having a label that believes in them and believes in how these songs can reach people is the biggest dream come true. I’m grateful they’re giving us – me and my songs – a chance.”

Produced by Joey Moi, Watkins’ self-penned, seven-song preview, Introducing Lauren Watkins, is set for release April 21.

“I’m so proud of these songs. I believe in country music and good songwriting, and I hope that people believe it’s still alive when they hear this work,” Watkins adds. “I just want to be a vessel for these words and melodies to move people the same way country music has moved me and shaped parts of my life. Mainly, I want to write about real things that people feel. I think we’re all out here thinkin’ and feelin’ the same things most of the time, it’s just a matter of who’s willing to say it.”

Introducing Lauren Watkins Track Listing:

1. “Sleeping In My Makeup” (Lauren Watkins, Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate, Meg McRee)
2. “Camel Blues” (Lauren Watkins, Jonathan Gamble, Lauren Hungate, Matt Morrisey)
3. “Anybody But You” (Lauren Watkins, Rodney Clawson, Mark Holman, Ernest Keith Smith)
4. “Grain of Salt” (Lauren Watkins, Andrew DeRoberts, Lauren Hungate)
5. “Shirley Temple” (Lauren Watkins, Nicolle Galyon, Meg McRee)
6. “Ole Miss” (Lauren Watkins, Adam James, Mikey Reaves)
7. “Dark Places” (Lauren Watkins, Shane McAnally, Caroline Watkins)
Lorie Hollabaugh
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