• Artist Name: Demi Michelle
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

1. What project(s) are you currently working on?

Along with being in my fairy-tale chapter with Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever, I’m currently writing and recording music for my next project, which will be pop. I’m a multi-genre songwriter, so I shift between pop and country often.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I’ve loved music ever since I was young. When I was ten years old, I started playing classical piano, and that led to me joining chorus in middle school, taking voice lessons in high school, and eventually double majoring in music and creative writing in college. I started writing songs when I was in undergrad and released my debut single in 2019. In many ways, I always knew I wanted music to be a huge part of my life, but I started pursuing a career after I graduated undergrad. Since I still play piano, my music life is split between my songwriting journey and performing in classical recitals.

3. If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

Along with pursuing music, I’m also involved in the publishing industry, mostly as a freelance editor and an agented young adult thriller author. I love being in both music and publishing because I’m constantly engaging with the arts.

4. What is your favorite downtime activity?

Downtime? I need to have more of that! I’m always doing something for music or publishing, but when I do have time to relax, mostly at night, I enjoy reading books and listening to podcasts.

5. Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

This is going to sound wild, but I don’t really have one right now. What I will say, though, is that it used to be Shawn Mendes. From around 2015 to 2019, I was in such a phase. I actually met him three times in three different cities. Sometimes, I remember those years and think girl, were you okay? Thankfully, I’m way more chill about everything now.

6. Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

I’m not a big sports girl, but I would let my city down if I said anything other than the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins. Black and gold forever!

7. What is the last movie that you watched?

I recently rewatched Midnight Sun, starring Bella Thorne. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

8. What is the last album you listened to?

To Be Honest by Tenille Arts.

9. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ooh, this is a hard one. There are so many amazing albums. Right now, it’s a tie between Subject to Change by Kelsea Ballerini and Reputation by Taylor Swift.

10. What is the greatest country song of all time?

This question is even harder. I’m super indecisive, so I can’t just pick one. I’ll say “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young, “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood, and “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry. My current favorite that I think will end up holding a forever spot on my all-time-favorites list is “Don’t Ruin Flowers” by Tenille Arts.

11. What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

I loved playing in Kirksville, Missouri. It’s a super small town where my sister lived for a few years, so most times when I visited, I played shows. Kirksville is such a community-focused and friendly place, and the people there always embraced me with open arms.

12. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal is chicken noodle soup or wedding soup, steak, crispy fries, and chocolate cake for dessert. Though, I’m obsessed with Chipotle, so you can find me there at least once a week.

13. Who is your dream duet partner?

Kelsea Ballerini for sure. She’s my favorite country artist, and I met her on her tour last year. I actually recorded my own rendition of “Homecoming Queen.” Performing that with her someday would be a dream come true.

14. Who would you like to go on tour with?

Kelsea!

15. What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

If I had to choose my top career goal, I would say having one of my songs recorded by a famous artist. I’ve always considered myself a songwriter first, so this is one of my biggest music dreams.

Jason Aldean

This Date in Country Music History

• 2020 – Morgan Wallen released his single “More Than My Hometown”
• 2020 – Kelsea Ballerini released her single “hole in the bottle”
• 2017 – Chris Stapleton scored a #1 album with From a Room:  Volume 1
• 2016 – Dierks Bentley released his album Black
• 2008 – Jessica Simpson released her debut country single “Come On Over”
• 2006 – Jason Aldean scored his first career #1 hit with “Why”
• 2002 – Toby Keith released his single “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”
• 1997 – Competing versions of the single “How Do I Live” are released by both Trisha Yearwood and LeAnn Rimes
• 1995 – Ty Herndon‘s “What Mattered Most” became a #1 hit
• 1982 – George Strait released his single “Fool Hearted Memory”

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Thomas Rhett

This Date in Country Music History

• 2023 – Jason Aldean released his song “Try That in a Small Town”
• 2017 – Rascal Flatts released their album Back to Us
• 2015 – Kelsea Ballerini released her debut album The First Time
• 2015 – Luke Bryan released his single “Kick the Dust Up”
• 2014 – Brantley Gilbert released his album Just As I Am
• 2013 – Trace Adkins won Celebrity Apprentice
• 2012 – Thomas Rhett made his Grand Ole Opry debut
• 2007 – Sugarland topped the charts with their single “Settlin'”
• 1992 – Billy Ray Cyrus‘ debut album Some Gave All is released
• 1979 – The Bellamy Brothers hit #1 with their single “If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me”
• 1973 – A 14 year-old Tanya Tucker scores a #1 hit with “What’s Your Mama’s Name”
• 1962 – George Jones hits #1 with “She Thinks I Still Care”

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Merle Haggard

This Date in Country Music History

• 2024 – Thomas Rhett released his single “Beautiful As You”
• 2024 – Lainey Wilson released her song “Hang Tight Honey”
• 2024 – The Post Malone/Morgan Wallen duet “I Had Some Help” was released
• 2024 – LoCash released their single “Hometown Home”
• 2020 – Kelsea Ballerini’s single “homecoming queen?” was certified Platinum
• 2019 – Keith Urban released his single “We Were”
• 2017 – Brad Paisley scored a #1 album with Love and War
• 2016 – Brad Paisley released his duet with Demi Lovato titled “Without a Fight”
• 2014 – Dolly Parton released her album Blue Smoke
• 2014 – Rascal Flatts released their album Rewind
• 2005 – Jason Aldean made his Grand Ole Opry debut
• 2000 – Kenny Rogers scored a #1 hit with “Buy Me a Rose,” marking his first #1 in 13 years and the last one of his career
• 1997 – Lee Ann Womack‘s self-titled debut album was released
• 1975 – Country Music Hall of Famer Bob Wills passed away from heart complications
• 1967 – Merle Haggard made his Grand Ole Opry debut
• 1957 – Elvis Presley hits #1 on the country charts with his hit single “All Shook Up”
• 1950 – Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Sisters joined the Grand Ole Opry

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• Clay Walker – 5/13/21 – Renegades in West Palm Beach, FL

This Date in Country Music History

• 2024 – Post Malone and Morgan Wallen scored a #1 hit with “I Had Some Help”
• 2023 – Megan Moroney released her album Lucky
• 2023 – Luke Bryan released his song “But I Got a Beer in My Hand”
• 2020 – Kelsea Ballerini’s single “Yeah Boy” was certified Platinum
• 2017 – Chris Stapleton released his album From a Room:  Volume 1
• 2015 – Chris Stapleton released his album Traveller
• 2008 – Craig Morgan‘s single “Love Remembers” is released to radio
• 2003 – Buddy Jewell‘s single “Help Pour Out the Rain” is released to radio
• 1998 – Garth Brooks releases The Limited Series, a boxed set featuring 6 previously released albums, each with a new song added to it.
• 1998 – Mark Wills releases his Wish You Were Here album
• 1984 – Garth Brooks graduates from Oklahoma State University

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• 2023 – Today’s New Music – May 5th, 2023
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• Maggie Baugh – 5/5/16 – The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, FL
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