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Tenille Townes Took Pieces Of My Heart in Grand Rapids Last Night

We have SO much to talk about this week.

Tenille Townes is a songbird trapped in human form, a gifted writer and vocalist who embodies everything it means to be country. She bucks the trends of mainstream radio culture and delivers a live show that's worth far more than the cost of admission.

Recently, Tenille Townes brought her fiery live show to The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan, just two days after the release of her latest EP, Train Track Worktapes. It was another day, another stage for her, but it was a night that cemented her place in the minds of the audience as a force nobody can deny.

The uninitiated might picture a passionate musician doing their best to channel their immense charisma into a singular act of performance. It's a bit of rock and pop woven through a tapestry of modern country aesthetics. Old heads will tell you Hank wouldn't have done it this way, but the crowd doesn't give a damn, and neither does Tenille Townes.

Dubbed the Side A+B tour, the setlist was divided between full band performances and more intimate solo moments between Tenille Townes and her fans. One section, which she liked to call her living room, gave fans the opportunity to request any song they hadn't yet heard. Though she was nearly 45 minutes into her performance, fans were ready with more than enough requests to fill another setlist. It was clear they were ready for anything she wanted to sing, and watching an artist receive that recognition in the midst of a performance is the kind of thing you go to live shows to witness.

Anyone can learn to play a country song, and almost anyone can string together enough chords and words to form a song of their own. But it takes a special person to create something that connects with people on a deep level, and that's what Tenille Townes offers.

Those seeking proof need only hear the Train Track Worktapes cut “Pieces Of My Heart,” which Townes performed a little over midway through her set. Documenting a period the band spent traveling town to town by train, the song plays like a modern version of “On The Road Again.” It’s a document of the sacrifice and excitement that comes with chasing your dreams which will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of performers to hit the road with their wide eyes and melodies.

Making the night extra special was the merchandise. After learning that her label wouldn't have copies of the record available in time for her shows, Tenille Townes burned several copies onto blank CDs and wrote the title out in sharpie. It was the same grassroots approach to organic connection that has guided every step of Tenille Townes' career up to this point. It doesn't matter what should happen; it matters what you can make happen.

Tenille Townes is still very much a rising star in the country music scene, and if you haven't had the chance to see her live, you're missing out. Her talent is undeniable, her connection with the audience is powerful, and her future is bright. Keep an eye on her.

I believe in Eric Michael Taylor and so should you

I found Eric Michael Taylor on TikTok last year and immediately sent him a DM. In hindsight, I had no idea what I was doing. He was making content I believed in, and his songs tapped into the intangible thing inside my soul that relates to all music I deem “good.” Since then, I’ve done my best to help promote him on my channels and platforms. I’ve sent his music to every contact I have that might take an interest. This is probably the third time I’ve shared him here, but I do not care. Get on board or get out because this boy is going all the way.

TikTok Time

I told you in the last email that my goal for 2023 was to have 25,000 TikTok followers. Later today I should pass 26k. While traveling to Texas for Two Step Inn last week I had three consecutive videos break half a million views. I’m amazed at every like and comment, even if I don’t have time to reply (or choose not to engage).

For those who are interested in this sort of thing, here’s what that looks like in terms of analytics:

The numbers are good, but what about the content? Was the content good?

Marketing experts with far better organizational skills than me often plan their content weeks, even months in advance. I do not. If I said I knew what was going to appear on my TikTok tomorrow or that I had shot it or that I had even given it much thought before starting this sentence I would be lying to you. There is a running list of ‘big ideas’ that I hope to utilize over time, but my primary goal right now is consistency in all forms (posting, quality, engagement, etc). I’m alternating between classic country moments, artist spotlights, headline news, and fan-made content with high virality. It’s possible what I cover tomorrow hasn’t occurred. That’s exciting! It’s stupid. But also exciting!

Anyways, here’s the new stuff: