I realized that my posts are very male-focused and therefore, I wanted to present you a young, talented lady who amazes me every time I hear a piece of music from her and her family-band. It's awesome to see what kind of person and musician she has become over the years and what great potential she has for her future. Some might have already heard of her, some don't, but actually she is a really big thing already: Emi Sunshine
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| Image: Emi Sunshine Music |
Emi Sunshine (click), or Emilie Sunshine Hamilton, was born in June in 2004 and is an American country music singer/songwriter from Madisonville, Tennessee. Already at the very young age of four years she got more interested into music and singing.
Her grandmother on the father's side was a singer herself in a gospel group, therefore, Emi always already had that musical history. To "Bluegrass Today" (click), Emi told that her grandmother, Wanda Matthews, sang on the Tennessee Barn Dance and once opened for the fabulous Rolling Stones. Her grandmother, Patsy Hamilton, was a great singer as well. Patsy formed the Perfect Joy Group with Emi's dad and they toured all over the world. All those influences are the reason for who Emi is today and for what she does in what way and style.
At the age of five, Emi started her own band with her family. Two years later, at the age of seven, they decided to change the band name into "Emi Sunshine and the Rain". The Band is still a family effort.
At the age of nine, her musical talent gained on public interest because a YouTube video of her singing the valley-deep Jimmie Rogers country chestnut "Blue Yodel No. 6" at a Tennessee flea market appeared on the social net. Emi is also known for being an "old soul".
Today, she is 13 years old and in my point of view very inspiring and amazing in what she does as a musician.
According to her webpage (click) "Emi is a
true vocal stylist. Influenced by legends (Loretta Lynn/Tanya Tucker/
TheLouvin Brothers), she is a throwback to earlier eras of country music
when trendsetters like Bessie Smith, June Carter, Loretta Lynn and Hank
Williams made history. The sassy, strikingly powerful, ultra
entertainer is bound and determined to follow in their footsteps, and
while she has some pretty big shoes to fill, this little lady fits the
bill. Emi launched her professional career performing at churches, community outings and local festivals."
Emi writes - with the help and support of her mother - and produces all of her music herself (live and in the studio). It is her ability to combine her youthful, bubbly soul with deep, meaningful and rather dark song lyrics that brings her imagination to life. Her music might be described as "old-fashioned", but she re-invents it through adding her own unique, contemporary blend of roots music that can be related to parts of Bluegrass, Gospel and Country, with a sprinkle of Blues. The young lady "now plays more than 50 dates a year backed by a group made up of those closest to her. Her
father plays upright bass, her brother (John Letner) accompanies her on
mandolin and 'Uncle Bobby' Hill plays drums."
In the following video you can see and hear Emi at the Music City Roots, 2017. Just when you think you have heard a lot and you might know what kind of music she does because you have seen videos from 2014 or so - this is something different, something special indeed!
This is what I personally call honest, hand-made music that speaks to your emotions and you automatically open your soul to this great musician. I think in the future, we can be excited to hear and see more of her and her family, but also to watch her grow up and see her colorful and multifaceted soul unfold.
Something to laugh: Emi Sunshine got mooned during one of her live showes and she instantly started singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky". That shows how good she is at repartees, as well how creative and how talented this young lady is.
Emi's stage- outfit nails it every time. It suits her very well and emphasizes her colorful, sassy, powerful personality and talent. When I discovered this video, it took me a moment to recognize her, as she looks very stunningly, already a young teenie...
According to "Bluegrass Today", Emi Sunshine has, additionally to her music, her own YouTube interview show, called Americana Corner (click), where she interviews special people who she loves and sings a song with them.
On her Facebook page, Emi lately announced that she and a friend of her would do a new Q & A show. So, it stays interesting about her career, even though she has yet to gain the life experience and empathy seemingly necessary to fully comprehend the words she sings about. She seems to be super comfortable and confident on stage as she obviously knows and loves what she is doing.
~ Johanna Walser
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