Kelleigh Bannen

A Nashville native who first turned toward a music career in her twenties, Kelleigh Bannen stepped forward in 2008 with a vibrant, modern approach that still honored classic country traditions. Mainstream attention arrived in 2012 via the single “Sorry on the Rocks,” followed by another chart entry two years later with “Famous.”

Although she has spent nearly her entire life in Nashville, Bannen waited until her twenties to treat music as more than a pastime. Her father worked as an auto dealer, and she grew up equally devoted to cars and country music; witnessing countless hopefuls falter in Music City also made her realistic about the industry’s demands. Songwriting remained a private pleasure, and she sang only occasionally until a college performance introduced her to the man who would become her husband. Once married, he urged her to take the pursuit seriously. She started a jewelry-making business that gave her the scheduling freedom to focus on songs, then formed a band, began performing locally, and issued the independent album Radio Skies in 2008. Despite modest commercial returns, the record drew strong critical notice, leading EMI’s Nashville division to sign her in 2012. Later that year she released “Sorry on the Rocks,” which climbed to number 48 on the country singles chart. Early in 2014 she followed with “Famous,” a sharp-edged account of romantic payback that gained traction at country radio. The EP Cheap Sunglasses appeared in 2016, with The Joneses arriving in 2018. Working with Jaren Johnston of the Cadillac Three, she released her second full-length album, Favorite Colors, in 2019, then offered her first set of holiday material, Christmas Is Coming, in 2020.