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Ava Davis is a 22 year old singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN. Influenced by the sounds of Joss Stone and Colbie Caillat, Ava’s vocal styling is an infusion of pop and blues punctuated by her own unique twist. A soulful songstress, Ava has been characterized as a female John Mayer.
Ava started entering competitions at a young age and rapidly began capturing both judges and audiences attention. Most notably, she placed in the top 5 of the national "CCM Create an Artist” contest. She has also won the “Sing your heart out” competition, “Rising Star of TN”, and many others.
Having performed across the Southeast, Ava is no stranger to the stage. She began performing at fairs and festivals at the age of 12. Since then, she has performed at venues, such as, the Commodore Grille, 3rd and Lindsley, Opry Mills Mall, Wild Wing Cafe, Twangs, The Fillin Station, The Nashville Palace, The Row and many others. Ava has become a crowd favorite for music lovers of all ages.
Living in Nashville has given Ava the opportunity to meet and work with several award-winning songwriters and producers. She is currently writing for her second EP to be released later this year.
"In the House" at the Grinder House is broadcast live on WFMC Jams every Friday from 6-8pm central.
https://youtu.be/ynQuc4GiCdM
Grit and growl are terms Kayley Hill uses to describe her unique voice, and that sound translates to her attitude. Hailing from the birthplace of country music, Bristol, Tennessee, Kayley certainly has the roots of the music running through her blood. Raised on the traditional bluegrass sounds of Appalachia, she found herself in love with music at an early age.
Her parents introduced her to the southern rock sounds of the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd, but also instilled the sounds of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band into her mind. Those influences translate into her own vocal style. But country music isn’t the only thing listeners hear when she’s belting out the lyrics of her own songs.
One major influence is her technical training from The Boston Conservatory where she studied musical theater, learning more jazz standards and show tunes. That’s where she says her songwriting abilities really took a strong hold. Understanding the story-telling and developing characters in songs was a true test of her skill. Her work as a singer on a cruise ship brought her to a new realm of music, shaping more of the sound her fans hear today.
After appearing on NBC’s The Voice and having a chance to work with coach Blake Shelton, Kayley has been searching to find the sound she wants to call her own. Her playful timbre has been compared to Dolly Parton, while her vocal power mirrors Martina McBride. Throw in Miranda Lambert’s sass, and the unique Kayley Hill sound is easy to recognize.
She says she is inspired by Dolly’s sense of self, Jason Mraz’s lyrical freedom, Alison Krauss’ hauntingly serene vocals, Fleetwood Mac’s poignant melodies and by Michael Buble’s captivating musicality. While each of those are very different artists, each one brings a valuable element that Kayley tries to employ in all facets of her performance and catalog.
"In the House" at the Grinder House is broadcast live on WFMC Jams every Friday from 6-8pm central.