4 minute read
MUSICAL NOTES — FEATURING KRYSTAL KING
Excitement fills the air as music enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the release of Krystal King's first full-length studio album, Pretty Poison, after she recently dropped the first single from the album “Red Wine & White Lies.” This track stands out as an upbeat driving song that artfully portrays the narrative of a crumbling relationship. But first, let's get to know the artist behind the song.
Originally from Hickory, North Carolina, King is now based out of Spring Hill, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and dog, Bo Berry Biscuit. King is your next-door redneck bringing you relatable songwriting with vivid imagery, humorous lyrics, and a blended sound of 90s country laced with blues, rock, and folk. Like her alter ego, Loretta Lynn, she's not afraid to say what she is thinking whether that's diving into heartfelt emotions or picking on her husband in songs like "You're the Reason That I Drink."
King’s musical journey started as a three-year-old who became obsessed with country music. Early influences included Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, Lee Ann Womack, and more. She began taking guitar lessons and wrote her first song in high school with the help of her teacher, Tony Eltora, who founded the Hickory Music Factory, a nonprofit organization bringing music education to the community and youth of Hickory.
Continuing on her musical journey, King studied Music Therapy at Appalachian State University, notable alumni include Eric Church and Luke Combs, and moved to Nashville soon after. Along with her music career, she continues to work as a part-time music therapist at a psychiatric hospital utilizing music to give back to the community and promote positive mental health.
Over the past three years, King has been at work writing, producing, and recording her debut album Pretty Poison which features all original music co-written with fellow female artists in the area. This album is a concept album, exploring the complexities of love relationships and includes cheating, leaving, murder, drinking, and heartbreak songs. King shares, “This album is my favorite and most authentic music yet. I really feel like I found my unique sound through this process.”
The first single from her debut album, “Red Wine and White Lies,” is a high-energy cheating song with a catchy slide guitar intro. King shows off her sassy side and her twang cuts straight to the heart of country music. Released into the digital world on August 25, this song was a huge milestone for her and plans on releasing a follow-up single from the album Pretty Poison in early 2024.
To help promote the single, King has partnered with local winery Grinder’s Switch, with locations in Columbia, Nashville, and Centerville, Tennessee, which is known for its southern charm and sophisticated taste. The winery features a seven-acre vineyard that they describe as a hobby gone out of control. This partnership includes multiple giveaways for Krystal King followers, live performances at the Columbia location, and a series of wine cover songs performed on YouTube.
In addition to playing local shows on iconic stages such as the Listening Room Cafe and Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville, King tours nationally including festivals with headliners including Walker Hayes, Craig Morgan, and Beth Neilson Chapman (Faith Hill’s “This Kiss”). As an artist, she has released seven original songs but has also had success as a songwriter with cuts from artists Thomas Kavanagh, Kirstie Kraus, Laura Rabell, Zach McCabe, and most recently Taylor Hughes. Co-write, "Who Am I Gonna Love," released by Thomas Kavanagh and Kirstie Kraus, has been featured on The Ty Bentli show and internationally at stations in the UK including BBC Radio.
Check out Krystal King
To view King's tour schedule or to purchase her CD, visit krystalkingmusic.com.
Fans can also listen to her music via social media and streaming platforms: @krystalkingmusic.
