Biography
Nicolle Galyon built a strong reputation as a Nashville songwriter before ever stepping into the spotlight as a performer, crafting nine Billboard Country Airplay chart-toppers and securing a pair of Academy of Country Music Song of the Year trophies. Her initial win recognized "Automatic," the 2014 success by modern-day outlaw Miranda Lambert, while her follow-up accolade came in 2019 for "Tequila," the bright hit by country-pop duo Dan + Shay. Her own recordings blend these contrasting influences through meticulous songcraft, attention to specific details in the lyrics, and openness to modern production techniques reminiscent of Kacey Musgraves or Ashley Monroe. These elements came together on her 2022 debut album, firstborn.
Born July 22, 1984, in Winner, South Dakota, and brought up in Sterling, Kansas, Nicolle Galyon enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville following her 2002 high school graduation. Her original plan involved becoming an agent or artist manager, yet songwriting captured her interest during her time at Belmont. She secured a publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Nashville upon completing her studies in 2006. Songs she wrote appeared on albums by Point of Grace, Josh Kelley, and Lauren Alaina by 2011, even as her desire to perform grew stronger. In 2012, she joined Adam Levine's team as a contestant on The Voice; although the experience yielded little beyond one track from the series in terms of performance opportunities, it introduced her to Miranda Lambert. A friendship formed between the two, evolving into collaborative work. Together with Natalie Hemby, Galyon penned "We Were Us," which Miranda Lambert recorded as a duet featuring Keith Urban. Reaching the top of Billboard's Country Airplay chart, "We Were Us" paved the way for five of Galyon's compositions to appear on Miranda Lambert's 2014 album Platinum. "Automatic" stood out among them, earning Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music Awards along with Single of the Year from the Country Music Association.
Throughout the latter portion of the 2010s, Galyon contributed songwriting to numerous leading country acts. Frequent partners included Dan + Shay, RaeLynn, and Lady A, with additional tracks she authored landing with Florida Georgia Line, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Walker Hayes, and Ashley Monroe. Her reach extended to pop in 2018 via "Consequences," a composition for Camila Cabello. Performance remained a goal, leading to the 2016 EP The Worktapes, though her primary impact stayed behind the scenes. She founded Songs & Daughters in 2019 as a Big Loud imprint dedicated to female artists, with initial signees Madison Kozak and Hailey Whitters; the publishing division, established in 2020, added Tiera Kennedy and Lauren Watkins. It was through Songs & Daughters that Galyon fully committed to her performing path. The process began with the 2020 single "All the Things," followed by the 2022 rollout of her first album through singles "winner.," "boy crazy.," and "self care." ahead of firstborn's July arrival, an autobiographical project.
Born July 22, 1984, in Winner, South Dakota, and brought up in Sterling, Kansas, Nicolle Galyon enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville following her 2002 high school graduation. Her original plan involved becoming an agent or artist manager, yet songwriting captured her interest during her time at Belmont. She secured a publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Nashville upon completing her studies in 2006. Songs she wrote appeared on albums by Point of Grace, Josh Kelley, and Lauren Alaina by 2011, even as her desire to perform grew stronger. In 2012, she joined Adam Levine's team as a contestant on The Voice; although the experience yielded little beyond one track from the series in terms of performance opportunities, it introduced her to Miranda Lambert. A friendship formed between the two, evolving into collaborative work. Together with Natalie Hemby, Galyon penned "We Were Us," which Miranda Lambert recorded as a duet featuring Keith Urban. Reaching the top of Billboard's Country Airplay chart, "We Were Us" paved the way for five of Galyon's compositions to appear on Miranda Lambert's 2014 album Platinum. "Automatic" stood out among them, earning Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music Awards along with Single of the Year from the Country Music Association.
Throughout the latter portion of the 2010s, Galyon contributed songwriting to numerous leading country acts. Frequent partners included Dan + Shay, RaeLynn, and Lady A, with additional tracks she authored landing with Florida Georgia Line, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Walker Hayes, and Ashley Monroe. Her reach extended to pop in 2018 via "Consequences," a composition for Camila Cabello. Performance remained a goal, leading to the 2016 EP The Worktapes, though her primary impact stayed behind the scenes. She founded Songs & Daughters in 2019 as a Big Loud imprint dedicated to female artists, with initial signees Madison Kozak and Hailey Whitters; the publishing division, established in 2020, added Tiera Kennedy and Lauren Watkins. It was through Songs & Daughters that Galyon fully committed to her performing path. The process began with the 2020 single "All the Things," followed by the 2022 rollout of her first album through singles "winner.," "boy crazy.," and "self care." ahead of firstborn's July arrival, an autobiographical project.
Albums
Singles
