Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoe Howard.
Hi Zoe, 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?
Zoe Howard is an Appalachian Indie artist from Salyersville, a small town located in Eastern Kentucky . Zoe plays guitar, percussion instruments, banjo, and many other instruments. She has performed many times on the best stages in Kentucky, known as the Mountain Arts Center, Mountain Top Media Stage, and has recorded at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, TN. Zoe Howard & Yellow Line won “ Best Original Song” award at The Appalachian Arts & Entertainment Awards in 2022 & “Best EP” in 2024. Zoe writes songs using her personal expression. She began writing songs at an early age and hasn’t stopped. She received song writing advice from a friend and fellow musician, Robert Daniel, who told her to always listen and be aware her surroundings, and songs and stories would appear. She has written several originals and has released many singles and EPs. Zoe relates her songs to “Appalachian Indie/Folk/Rock”, a type of music that is based on original songs, sounds and stories that are around her in Eastern Kentucky. Her band, Yellow Line, consists of talented musicians that live in East Kentucky and feel the Appalachian vibe just as she does. Zoe Howard & Yellow Line was formed in 2020, band members are Clyde Porter, Steve Porter, Jason Justice, and Aaron Watson. Their first recording was at the Mountain Arts Center Recording Studio ( Brennen Meek) titled Yellow Line and as mentioned, the 2nd EP was recorded at Sun Studios, Memphis , Tennessee (Lydia Fletcher, Daniel Crockett Hall).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always many bumps in the road. Being a musician means you will have struggles, you will have not as many energetic crowds in the beginning, and you will not get paid much at all. It’s all about bonding with people through music. You have to start somewhere no matter if that start is at church, in a bar, or simply jamming with friends and family on a front porch. Being a full time travel musician for almost 10 years now has paid off. I have met so many talented folk and have received opportunities like no other. I am very appreciative and am always up for any travel trip to play music anywhere in the world!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have performed on stage since age 6. I started taking vocal lessons with Clyde Porter at that age and he has helped me tremendously by giving me performance opportunities and more. In 2020, we formed our band, Yellow Line, we have written more than 50 songs together and have released half of them already. All of our music can be found everywhere! Other than traveling, performing, and doing everything musicians do, I am a vocal/ instrumental coach that teaches at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg, KY. No matter what I do or will do in life , it will be in the arts.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Every single soul in my life deserves credit for supporting us, cherishing our music, and overall being there to groove with us at our performances! To our families, thank you. To our friends everywhere, we love you. And to all the people who we do not personally know but take the time to give our creations a listen, keep on supporting local artists and small creators.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zoehoward-music.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoehowardmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BfozUSDTC/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDAWy4IQFL4Kfgiuqfdnqbg
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/61ktPfDEtVzh6wbNyNq7PJ
