The Georgia Songbirds Weekly Top 10 Countdown Week 27

Ryan LittleEagle is a Native American singer-songwriter and musician from San Antonio, Texas, now living in Dawsonville Georgia. Influenced by the likes of George Strait, Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, and R Carlos Nakai, Littleeagle blends the rich storytelling of Country/Americana music, and with the cultural roots of First Nations music creating a style called NDN Country.

Ryan is a multi-award winning international performer and musician having won two Native American Music Awards (Debut Artist 2012, Best Instrumental 2014) and two Canadian Indigenous Music Awards (Best Flute CD 2013, Best Flute CD 2014). Ryan has enjoyed performing for diverse crowds throughout the United States, and internationally to the Carribean and South America.

Ryan has released three albums: Straight from the Heart (2012), The Long Journey Home (2013), and My Songs My Stories (2014), as well as three single, including a collaboration with Peruvian based cultural project PERUSA El Ultimo Inka. His most recent single “Fly with Me” was released on March 13th, 2020.

Additionally, LittleEagle is a Native American cultural educator and traditional dancer, having spoken at private events, museums, schools, and colleges throughout the United States. His great respect for his culture and people is evident and represented in a positive way through his music. Ryan tries to utilize his talents to bring awareness to events and issues affecting the indigenous communities in the Americas and other parts of the world. He is truly an ambassador for bridging the gap between the old ways …

Sam Phelps is a Kentucky born singer - song writer currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. His love for Country, Bluegrass, Americana and Folk music led him to his career in music. Sam shares his life stories of growing up in rural Appalachia, and moving to New York through his music. His gentle harmonies, and powerful guitar solos are what creates his distinct and undeniable sound. The bucolic rolling Kentucky hills bleeding the American Country life meets New York gritty edge is felt throughout Sam Phelps’ music.

Born and raised in Adairsville, Georgia. Writing, discovering and creating.

Award winning artist, Jason Adams performs acoustically and with The Jason Adams Band, locally in Middle Tennessee. Also a cohost on WFMC Jams The Midnight Madness Show.

Country artist Clayton Smalley is the epitome of Merle Haggard’s “Working Man Blues”. Other than the nine kids Merle references, the song could be the Spanish Fork, Utah based singer-songwriter’s autobiography. A welder by trade, Clayton, a blue collar family man, is a throwback to when artists balanced the responsibilities of working, helping provide for a family, and pursuing a passion for music. 

Born and raised in Southern California, Clayton grew up listening to artists like George Strait, Keith Whitley and Reba McEntire, which galvanized his love of traditional country music. As a teen he discovered his ability to sing, and with the encouragement of his friends and family, began singing publicly in church musicals and school talent shows. By his early 20s Clayton was fronting a local country cover band and singing karaoke every chance he could get. This is also when he began trying his hand at songwriting, even recording a CD of original songs.

At age 22 Clayton married his wife, Shannon, and with the birth of their daughter, Cheyeanne, made the decision to focus on raising a family and put music on hold. A few years later their son Austin would arrive, completing their family of four.

In 2018, with both kids in their teens, Clayton began to rekindle his pursuit of music by starting a YouTube channel and Facebook artist page where he quickly grew an online fan base by posting covers of his favorite country songs. Around the same time, Clayton formed the band Nebo Road. Along with playing regionally at fairs … Read More

Thomas Hinds is a singer/songwriter out of the four corners area of New Mexico. He has been playing and writing since high school and life has given him the opportunity to get out and support his new album "Resurrection Road". "Resurrection Road" is his third independant release, recorded at Kitchen Sink Studios in Santa Fe, New Mexico with Jono Manson behind the board. This release is a step forward in letting the songs speak for themselves, a stripped down collection of thirteen tracks that show you the bones that inspired the stories found on this record.

Thomas will be on the road most of 2020. He has a catalog of originals that reflect a life filled with love, loss, and the phases of heartache. Hinds' first release "Ghosts and Lamentations" was released in 2015, then in late 2017 he released an EP titled "Barbwire Bouquet" with two songs recorded with Jono on that release, "Keep On" and a reworked "Favorite Hello" that was originally on "Ghosts and Lamentations", who according to Jeffrey Foucault, "showed a lot of growth in the songwriting". So, now with "Resurrection Road" a step towards solidifying his writing ability with a touch of Ray Lamontagne and Steve Earle in the fabric of the songs stretching out in this collection.

Thomas has relocated to northern Georgia and will be playing a lot of shows in that area, while working on a Midwest tour in March and an east coast run followed by a tour across the country and back starting in June. Be sure to catc… Read More

Country Roads Records Artist Jerry Willis Music is a true to the heart style music, country with some southern rock style. Born in Michigan City, In I listened to the old 8 track tapes of Elvis learning how to sound like Elvis but with being around 6-7 years old that wasn’t possible. I started singing openly in my early 20’s and have been singing the music I love the most , that’s the true life songs that all the great artist tell stories and sing.

As a published singer/songwriter Darren has a renowned reputation for writing well crafted, melodic songs that have caught the attention of some of the biggest names in the songwriting world. Darren beat over 6000 entries from around the globe to win the 2004 UK Songwriting Contest with his song, “Reality”; judged by members of ‘The Brit Panel’ (of ‘BRIT AWARD’ fame).

He has been recognised with prestigious honourable mentions in the USA ‘Billboard’ contest and in 2008 achieved similar recognition in the USA ‘Song Of The Year’ and USA ‘Unisong’ contests (with his song, “Slippin’ Away”). Judges included members of Rolling Stone Magazine and guest judge, Beyonce. 2014 saw him achieve a runner up position in the USA 'Song Of The Year' with his contagious track "So Into You" (judges included Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, Don Henley, Phil Collins and Gwen Stefani).

Darren has toured all over the world over the past 10 years, especially the USA (40 of the 50 USA states), Hong Kong, Britain and France, including singing as a tenor with the famous Black Mountain Male Chorus Of Wales (patron, Bryn Terfel), The Graceland Band and Sounds Familiar band. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, the only child of Bill and Diane, he was obsessed with music from an early age. His mother would play Motown records that became part of his DNA and fuelled his love for melodic, hook laden songs that was embellished by him growing up with 80's Rock and Pop. He became fascinated not just by the singers and musicians of these songs but by the songwriters and… Read More

Rick Snider is a Country Singer/Songwriter out of Nova Scotia Canada. Rick recently released his first CD, Beat up Truck, with multiple songs reaching number 1 on multiple radio stations. Rick’s music can be found on most musical platforms as well as his CD is available for purchase.

A singer-songwriter from Georgia. Playing originals throughout the southeast chasing his dreams

Combining energetic performance with raw talent, Sam Roark is paving the way as an influential Musician in the modern generation of music. Music saved Sam's life, now she is connecting with others through her music. Music is healing, music is POWERFUL. Sam has the most powerful vocals, that will give you chills. Since embarking on her career in 2000, Sam Roark continues to captivate fans with her signature sound, fierce passion, and unique performances. You will be hooked from the first note. Read on to learn more about this talented musician.

Jessica Turoczi

LEAD VOCALS, FIDDLE

Born in Decatur, GA, Jessica started playing fiddle at age the age of 7. She spent her high school years playing Irish and Bluegrass fiddle on the streets of Atlanta and performing at music festivals and small venues throughout the state.

For Jessica, playing and writing songs with Sweet Young Twang feels like the culmination of all of her musical experiences so far. The collaborative approach to song writing, the incorporation of humor into the music, and the experimentation with different genres and styles are just a few of the many things she loves about the group. Performing with Sweet Young Twang has been a dream come true!

What do these three words mean? As the music world will soon learn, a lot more than you might think.

They’re the name of a song — an urgent summons to a young girl, to run not from danger but toward adventure. They’re the name of a band — one of the few new bands in recent memory that can rock multiple genres, flaunt resonant harmonies, and showcase a dynamic lead vocalist whose passion and power demand attention.

But there’s another meaning. It’s the inner whisper heard or maybe felt by that vocalist, Kate Coleman, that beckoned toward a life where hard work promised independence, where the best way to express herself was by calling her own shots.

That song would surface on her first solo album, Past. Already Kate had forged a unique style, inspired by artists as diverse as Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Dolly Parton, and the trio known then as the Dixie Chicks. Each had walked that path that would follow, leading to that place where emotion, honesty, and freedom come together.

Her journey continues with Running On Love, featuring the latest music from Run Katie Run. It winds through the restless drive, complex emotions, and exhilarating key changes of “15 Minutes,” travels between the candor and yearning of “Kinda Hoping,” explores the bitter commentary of “No Way Out,” riding a current of tight rhythm, and summits at Kate’s climactic — and frankly stunning — high note in “Running On Love” builds toward an explosive ending. She lays down the law to an irresolute lover on “Stay Or Leave,” amidst blazing fills and solo breaks from her musici… Read More

Ashley Puckett was born and raised in North Huntingdon, just east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ashley realized her passion for music at a young age, performing at vocal competitions and community events, and eventually, landing at open-mic nights and shows in bars and clubs, doing anything to keep the music and her passion alive. Her musical influences have been empowering..shaping the artist she has become: Ladies like Lee Ann Womack, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Jo Dee Messina, Sara Evans, Carol King and LeAnn Rimes. At age sixteen Ashley picked up the guitar, began writing songs, and the adventurous country girl hit the road. Somewhere between skydiving and bungee jumping, Ashley was introduced to world class Singer/Songwriter/Producer, Bryan Cole and Lead Sound Engineer, Doug Kasper at Tonic Studios. With legendary musicians Mike Brignardello (bass), John Willis (banjo), Mike Johnson (Steel Guitar), Heidi Engel and Tammy Petty ( Background Vocals) and hot newcomer, Adam Ernst, Ashley’s debut album and lifelong dream, “Never Say Never” was made a reality. The album released on MTS Records February 14, 2020 , featuring the first single, “Medicine” that debuted August of 2019 and has already had over 101,000 Spotify streams, while her follow up, "Bulletproof" is streaming right behind at over 69,000 and counting since it's release January 2020! Ashley has already earned herself a mention in Billboard Magazine's "Women of Music" edition in December of 2019. She has been featured on countless radio stations, podcasts, magazines an… Read More