*Music fans may know K. Michelle more for her R&B stylings, but her country music roots run deep. Chatting with American Songwriter during an appearance at CMA Fest 2025, the 43-year-old “Love Em All” entertainer reminded the publication that she is beyond the realm of soul music.
The moment came when the reporter asked K. Michelle to introduce herself and noted she did not grow up in the country music world. The former reality TV fixture performed at the annual festival, which took place June 5 at the Nissan Stadium in Nashville
“I did grow up in country music,” K. Michelle responded, per iHeart Radio. “I’m from Memphis, Tennessee. I got a scholarship for yodeling — that’s how I paid for college… I didn’t fly here — I grew here.”
Putting more weight on her country pedigree, the Memphis-born hitmaker recalled the beginnings of her music career, noting that the first tape she recorded was her version of The Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Years later, K. Michelle performed the classic with Jelly Roll when she was invited to help honor the legacy of the late Naomi Judd at the 2023 CMA Awards.
The American Songwriter reporter brought up K. Michelle’s R&B career while clarifying what she said about the singer and the country music world. According to the reporter, given K. Michelle’s R&B career and reality TV stardom, she was not unheard of; she was just not heard on contemporary country radio.
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“You don’t hear a lot of women on contemporary [country] radio,” the “Hard to Do” vocalist noted. “And you really don’t hear a Black one, but you’re about to.”
K. Michelle’s interview with American Songwriter struck a nerve as clips of the exchange resulted in support coming in from folks who are defending her. With more Black artists (Beyoncé, Shaboozey and Tanner Adel, among them) reclaiming country music, K. Michelle’s situation speaks to the masses, The Grio reports
In 2024, she sparked headlines upon signing with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, the largest independent country label to produce her forthcoming country debut. Among the artists influencing the album are Toby Keith, Alison Krauss, and The Judds.
“There’s a lot of, with everyone, pop-country going around, but my version is the version I grew up on,” said K. Michelle, who labeled her upcoming project as “more leaning towards bluegrass.”
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The album is a long time coming for the music veteran, who announced before aligning with BBR that her sixth release, 2023’s “I’m the Problem,” would be her last R&B album. The project marked K. Michelle’s intent to pursue country as well as an introduction to her country alter ego “Puddin” via the bonus country-infused track “Tennessee.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: K. Michelle Announces Exciting New Deal with BMG Country Music
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