Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Rae.
Hi Samantha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small southern New Hampshire town with just one blinking light, where music and horses were the heart of my world. I started singing in choir at an early age and began riding horses when I was five. These are two passions that have stayed with me ever since.
Following my dream has always been a constant thread in my life. While performing in a band, I met my creative partner Jay DellIsola, and together we decided to carve our own path. We’ve been making music ever since, driven by the same passion that first inspired me to become a singer-songwriter.
Last year, Jay and I released my debut album, “The High Road,” a milestone that came from years of dedication, late nights, and countless live shows. Every step of the way, we’ve tried to remain true to the music and the dream that started it all.
In the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to perform as an opening act for some major national acts including Sugar Ray (Mark McGrath), LoCash, Parmalee, David Nail, Tyler Farr, Keith Urban, Lady A, Chase Rice, Carly Pearce, Dierks Bentley, and many others. Jay and I co-write and perform all our songs together, and we’ve met many incredible musicians from these acts as well as others throughout Nashville who have helped us develop our sound. Our debut album was produced and recorded entirely by Jay and me and mixed by two-time Grammy winner Chad Carlson in Nashville (Chad’s Grammy wins include “Album of the Year” for “Fearless” by Taylor Swift) and mastered by Adam Ayan.
2025 has been an incredible ride, I’m honored to be nominated for Country Artist of the Year by the Josie Music Awards (JMA), held at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Back home, I’ve also received a nomination from the Boston Music Awards for Country Artist of the Year, along with two additional nods from the New England Music Awards: Country Act of the Year and Album of the Year. To top it off, one of the tracks from our debut album recently won Best Original Song at the 2025 WilliFEST (Williamsburg Film and Music Awards).
Our musical pursuits have taken us to Nashville many times, where we’ve focused on songwriting and performing for live audiences. They’ve also brought us to the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, where we’ve received tremendous encouragement and refined our music production skills. We’re approaching half a million Spotify streams on our debut album The High Road, released last summer, and we’re now actively working on our second album, which is scheduled for release in 2026. It’s incredibly exciting to see Nashville quickly become a second home. The music scene here, along with the remarkable talent that surrounds us, is deeply inspiring.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Personal and professional growth can be a challenge. We tend to be perfectionists, always striving to improve with every new attempt. Balancing art and business as independent artists can be overwhelming at times, especially when you’re pushing the boundaries of your own creativity. There’s the grind of building an audience one show at a time, while juggling work, personal life, and the everyday realities that come with chasing a dream. Through it all, we’ve been working to hold onto our roots and passions, like horses and small-town values, even as we reach for something much bigger.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a cowgirl by day and a rockstar by night, and that combination sets me apart from the crowd. Training horses has always been a part of my life, and I’ve worked professionally in that field for eighteen years. What began as a childhood love grew into a lifelong passion and career, and I’m fortunate to blend it with my love of music. As a horse trainer, I learned the value of patience, trust, and consistency, and I bring those same qualities to both music and life. I’m also a young mom to a budding cowboy, which is one of the things I’m most proud of.
What were you like growing up?
I was an outgoing kid, always active. Cheerleading, theatre, horseback riding, and singing kept me extremely busy and (mostly) out of trouble! Not much has changed, and I still have most of my childhood friends from each of those activities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samantharae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantharaeofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantharaeofficial
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/realsamantharae
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samantharaeofficial
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/@samantharaeofficial
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/40jbzl5isn5REw1IbBMc4d?si=0-JkrPQNRtK5fVKHs0RvbQ
Image Credits
Dallys M Photography, Jon Gagnon Photography
