Daily Inspiration: Meet Afton Prater

Today we’d like to introduce you to Afton Prater.

Hi Afton, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the great Pacific Northwest, Washington state to be exact. My mom taught me how to play guitar when I was 11 and I wrote my first song when I was 12. I started playing wherever I could, which included talent shows, coffee shops, private parties, bars, restaurants, fairs, and festivals.

I’ve had the privilege of opening for country stars Kelsea Ballerini, Drake White, and Josh Thompson during their tours in Washington state. When I was 16, I signed a contract with Sunset Trucks. They licensed my song ‘I Want A Truck’, which they used in their TV and radio commercials for marketing and promotion of their trucks. This provided me the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the Richard Sherman Celebrity Softball Game, which hosted 30,000 people and was televised.

When I was 14, I ventured to Nashville to record my first EP and I loved every aspect of it. Therefore, I returned several times to record a number of EPs. I achieved my Bachelor’s Degree from Central Washington University in June of 2020 and three months later, I moved to what I now call home, Nashville, Tennesee. I continue to write music and perform at various venues and writer’s rounds in the Nashville area.

I have two new songs ‘Till You Find One” and ‘Every Bar’ that I plan to release in the next couple of months. I am so excited! I also plan to release several songs in the next six months. While I’m chasing my dream, I keep in mind that it’s all about the journey, not about the end result. So, I will continue to thoroughly enjoy my journey.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Fortunately, it has been a pretty smooth road for me. There has been a couple of bumps in the road, but there has been nothing major that has distracted me from my dream of pursuing music. The support of my family, fans, and friends has helped me get over those bumps.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I believe what sets me apart from others is my songwriting. I’ve been told that my songwriting tends to connect and relate with my audience and that my energy up on stage is unique.

What makes you happy?
Playing and writing music. I love receiving feedback from my fans/audience because it assures me that I’m on the right path.

Contact Info:

• Email: Aftonpratermusic1@gmail.com
• Website: https://aftonprater.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afton.prater/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aftonpratermusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AftonMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aftonmarie11

Image Credits
Marisa Taylor and Chelsea Smith