Rising Stars: Meet Emily Nenni

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Emily Nenni.

Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Raised in the East Bay, CA. Mom was a teacher, and Dad worked in radio. I come from a house of music nerds, so naturally, I’m one too. Got my first guitar when I was 16 and have been learning and writing and singing with it ever since.

I moved to Nashville at 21 and started studying country music and live performance in the honky tonks, mainly a double-wide trailer called Santa’s Pub. Home recorded and self-released one LP and two EPs until New West Records picked up and released my last LP, On The Ranch, in 2022.

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?
Thankfully, it hasn’t been easy. I have had to demonstrate a good bit of stubbornness (which I have plenty of) to push through tough years. Naturally and unfortunately, I have carried on despite sexism, predators, and many false promises. Finding my main trusted group to make music with was a learning experience, too.

But I’m still here, and I’m better off from it! The beauty of the ups and downs is – that you learn, become wiser and stronger, appreciate the good, and know you can get through the bad. I have been so grateful for the folks that I work with and learn from, and we are all doing our best and growing together.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I’m a honky tonk artist. I write, sing, record, and tour. I love to write songs for folks to two-step to. It is such a joy to get to play for a honky tonk full of two-steppers. One of my main focuses is making sure everyone feels welcome at my shows.

No matter who they are, what they do, where they come from, or who they love. Being in the country music world, I have witnessed hate and exclusivity, and that’s not what I’m about. Everyone is welcome if they want to be a part of it, as long as they’re kind.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My new record, “Drive and Cry,” will be out on May 3, 2024, with New West Records.

Contact Info:

• Website: Emilynenni.com
• Instagram: @Emily.nenni

Image Credits
Alysse Gafkjen, Lyza Renee, Sean Madden, and Hannah Laney