Before Jenna Paulette was a rising country artist in Nashville, she was a cowgirl on her family’s ranch in Texas. Her debut album The Girl I Was—which released March 31—laces together tributes to her roots with bright hope for her future as she rediscovers her identity following a toxic relationship.

Paulette’s music has grown with her and followed her journey from listening to classic country cassettes with her grandad to writing her own records. In a recent visit at the MusicRow offices, Paulette shared a bit about her upbringing and what led her to Nashville.

“I sang [The Chicks] songs at the top of my lungs on the back of a four wheeler checking cows with my granddad,” she says. “I sang ‘Wide Open Spaces’ and ‘Cowboy Take Me Away.’ What I was living is what I got to sing about in the environment that made me feel the most like it was real. That’s what made me want to sing country music.”

When it comes to her dreams, Paulette had a key inspiration: fellow Texan George Strait. 

“I always told people I wanted to pull a George Strait on this town and do what he does—do the cowboy thing for real but tour on a high level and produce the best country music I possibly can while living what I sing about.” 

She adds, “I had just figured out in college that you could actually write songs for a living. I always knew I wanted to sing country music but I didn’t think that songwriting was an occupation. So I started looking at the songs I loved and seeing who wrote them, and what made me hear them in it. Ashley Gorley was one of the most consistent [songwriters I saw credited] because he is massive.”

After meeting Gorley while visiting Nashville, he became Paulette’s mentor, coaching her through the writing process with weekly phone calls and encouraging her to make the move to Nashville. Paulette is not one to shy away from criticism, and eagerly learned all Gorley offered to teach her. From him, she learned that it is identity and authenticity that makes people stick around—not just one good song.

When Gorley asked her to pick between being a songwriter and being an artist, Paulette chose being an artist.

“It’s awesome to experience a record from top to bottom. I made [The Girl I Was] because I want to be an artist that puts out records,” she says. “I wanted people to have a lens to experience everything through.”

She co-wrote her a tune from the album called “You Ain’t No Cowboy” with Rhett Akins. The song’s message is there’s more to being a cowboy than Hollywood’s hats and sunset chasing scenes.

“The cowboys that live up to living under the hat are full of good character,” Paulette says. “It’s this level of respect for people and things that deserve honor. I love that aspect of the cowboy. [“You Ain’t No Cowboy”] was this juxtaposition of what society says a cowboy is, but it turns out ‘you ain’t no cowboy at all.’ You look like him, you act like him, there’s a million miles you put on that saddle of yours but when it came down to it, you didn’t stick around like you said you would. That’s what matters more”

As her career grows, Paulette continues to write songs that feel genuine. She wrote “We Know How To Friday Night,” with Bobby Pinson and Casey Beathard at Sea Gayle, where she signed in 2021. This crowd favorite resonates with those who grew up like Paulette, while those who didn’t sing along anyway.

“This is one of those ones that whether people know my music or not, they’re [cheering] in the middle of the set,” she says.

With The Girl I Was, Paulette wants fans to share in her lifestyle, and she brings them along for the ride.

“It’s a really fun way to live your life and I’m just grateful for it. I’m grateful that people are even interested in hearing songs about it, and that it can relate to people outside of the world that I grew up in.”

In addition to songs from her The Girl I Was album, Paulette also shared some new tunes. “Darlin'” is an introspective look into leaving a bad relationship and rebuilding.

“I got out of a terrible relationship that did a lot of damage, but coming out of it made me a lot stronger,” she says. “This song is about the difference between being loved by somebody now and the situation I was in before.”

Between her authentic storytelling and unique style, Jenna Paulette is sure to take her career into the next level in 2023. Listen to The Girl I Was here.

Cooper Alan has announced he’s heading back north this fall for his first Canadian tour.

The rising country star will perform in six cities on the country’s west coast, including Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, starting on Oct. 25. The new tour comes after Alan connected with thousands of Canadian fans this spring. In March, he played three sold-out shows during his debut performance in the Great White North, selling over 3,000 tickets.

“I loved going to Canada in the spring and it felt like a second home,” says Alan. “After receiving lots of messages about coming back, I’m excited to head to Western Canada this October!”

A viral TikTok sensation, the indie artist has built a fanbase of more than 10 million followers and earned over 200 million streams with his music. He’s enjoyed chart success with singles including “New Normal,” “Tough Ones,” “Colt 45 (Country Remix)” and “Can’t Dance.”

Kelsea Ballerini has earned three Telly awards for her self-directed short film, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat. 

Ballerini was honored with two Gold statues for her work as a director and creator of the short film in their General Music category, as well as a Silver Award in the Social Video Category. She created Rolling Up The Welcome Mat as a deeper tableau to capture and convey the emotions that went into writing and recording her Rolling Up The Welcome Mat EP. Filmed in a minimalist environment, the 20-minute video struck a nerve with fans and music critics alike.

The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks and production companies including Adobe, BBC World Service, Netflix, Dow Jones, Complex Networks, Jennifer Garner, A&E Networks, Hearst Media, Nickelodeon, National Geographic Society, ESPN Films, RYOT, Partizan and Vimeo.

“Music and songwriting are what I feel most compelled in life to create, but for this EP, I was intrigued to take it one step further by writing and directing this short film,” says Ballerini. “The songs are so autobiographical to my life, and it was scary to put those songs in focus visually, but the reaction from viewers and today’s recognition from The Telly Awards really assures me that it’s okay to make bold moves musically and creatively.”

“The caliber of the work this season coming from creators such as Kelsea Ballerini truly has reflected the theme of breaking out and standing out,” says Tellys Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “Our industry is experimenting with new technologies like never before, crafting truly compelling stories to draw attention to some of the world’s most pressing issues, and companies big and small are turning to more sustainable practices to break the cycle of past production processes.”

Black River Publishing has signed songwriter McCall Chapin.

The Tallahassee, Florida native moved to Nashville in 2018 to study songwriting at Belmont University. During her time at Belmont, she had the opportunity to work for Warner Chappell Music as a songwriting intern, putting her in the room with notable hitmakers and opening many doors. Chapin’s powerful lyrics and melodies have already garnered her several major cuts and indie releases.

“McCall was a stand-out, no brainer writer to pursue as a partner with Black River,” says Rebekah Gordon, VP of Publishing, Black River Entertainment. “I’m beyond excited for the rest of the music community to get to know her amazing ability to craft a song that is impactful to audiences from all genres. She is an exceptional human being, and I’m so proud to be a part of her career as a future hit songwriter.”

“I am so excited that I get to call Black River home,” says Chapin. “From the moment I met the team, I was so drawn to their passion for well-crafted songs and loved the way they champion their writers. I feel that they share my vision for the future, and I just can’t wait to see what we do together.”