Tiera Kennedy
{{short description|American singer-songwriter}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Tiera Kennedy
| honorific_suffix =
| image = File:Tiera Kennedy.jpg
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Tiera Leftwich
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|07|24}}
| birth_place = Gardendale, Alabama, U.S.
| origin = Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Country|R&B}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|Guitar}}
| years_active = 2015–present
| label = {{hlist|Big Machine|Hill|Valory}}
| associated_acts =
| spouse = Kamren Kennedy
| website = {{URL |https://tiera.com/}}
}}
Tiera Kennedy ({{née|Leftwich}}; born July 24, 1998) is an American country music singer-songwriter. Kennedy is the host of Apple Music Country's The Tiera Show and is featured on Beyoncé's 2024 album Cowboy Carter as a vocalist on the track "Blackbiird".
Background
A native of Gardendale, Alabama, Kennedy grew up learning how to play the guitar from watching YouTube videos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/life/2024/03/gardendale-native-featured-on-beyonces-cowboy-carter-album-i-couldnt-be-more-thankful.html|title=Gardendale native featured on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album: 'I couldn't be more thankful'|date=March 29, 2024|first=Cody D.|last=Short|publisher=Alabama Media Group|access-date=April 9, 2024}} She grew up singing country music wherever she could, including restaurants like Chick-Fil-A and Buffalo Wild Wings.{{cite web |last1=Hudak |first1=Alison Abbey |title=Nashville's Most Beautiful People: Tiera |url=https://nashvillelifestyles.com/people/most-beautiful/nashvilles-most-beautiful-people-tiera/ |website=Nashville Lifestyles |access-date=10 April 2024 |date=31 October 2023}} While in high school, she met a group of bluegrass musicians which furthered her love for country music.{{cite web |last1=Tatum |first1=Erin |title=Country Phenom Tiera Kennedy Elevates the Genre with Contemplative Beauty |url=https://clichemag.com/music/country-phenom-tiera-kennedy-elevates-the-genre-with-contemplative-beauty/ |website=ClicheMag |access-date=10 April 2024 |date=28 November 2023}} Her musical influences growing up included Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Kelsea Ballerini.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagrangenews.com/2016/07/04/teen-shows-promise-at-sweetland/|title=Teen shows promise at Sweetland|first=Tyler H.|last=Jones|date=July 4, 2016|work=LaGrange Daily News|access-date=April 9, 2024}}{{Cite press release|url=https://www.una.edu/pressroom/detail.php?id=1243&date=2017-07-11|title=UNA Student Follows Dreams into a Career in the Music Business|date=July 11, 2017|first=Dominic|last=Summerhill|publisher=University of North Alabama|access-date=April 9, 2024}}
Kennedy originally planned to enroll at Belmont University, but instead accepted a full-ride scholarship to University of North Alabama, where she spent one year.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.una.edu/pressroom/detail.php?id=1243&date=2017-07-11|title=UNA Student Follows Dreams into a Career in the Music Business|date=July 11, 2017|first=Dominic|last=Summerhill|publisher=University of North Alabama|access-date=April 9, 2024}} During that time, she honed her songwriting skills at FAME Studios and ultimately decided to move to Nashville to pursue a career in music.{{Cite web|url=https://theboot.com/ixp/204/p/tiera-kennedy-interview-2023-new-music/|title=Tiera Kennedy's Dynamic Path Led Her to a Sound That's 'More Country' Than Ever [Interview]|date=September 30, 2023|first=Carena|last=Liptak|work=The Boot|access-date=April 9, 2024}}
Career
In 2018, Kennedy gained national attention after being mentored by Shania Twain on the reality TV show Real Country. Kennedy won her episode, marking the beginning of her rise in the industry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/29/arts/music/beyonce-cowboy-carter-credits.html|title=Who's Who on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'|date=March 29, 2024|first=Hank|last=Shteamer|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 9, 2024}} Kennedy made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 2021 and was honored to perform at the ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opry.com/artists/tiera|title=Tiera Kennedy|work=Grand Ole Opry|access-date=April 9, 2024}}
In 2022, she signed with Big Machine Music Group and released "Found it In You", a song she had first recorded as a demo years earlier.{{cite web |last1=Mower |first1=Maxim |title=Tiera Kennedy Interview |url=https://www.mindful-melody.com/the-articles/tiera-kennedy-interview |website=Mindful-Melody |access-date=10 April 2024 |date=28 September 2022}} She followed this with the release of "Alabama Nights", a song reflecting her roots.{{cite web |last1=Johannes |first1=Patrick |title=TIERA KENNEDY SHARES ABOUT GROWING UP IN BIRMINGHAM ON "ALABAMA NIGHTS" |url=https://nashintune.com/tiera-kennedy-shares-about-growing-up-in-birmingham-on-alabama-nights/ |website=Nash in Tune |access-date=10 April 2024 |date=22 September 2022}}
Kennedy was named on MusicRow{{'s}} Next Big Thing in 2022 and was also listed as Pandora's Country Artist to Watch.{{cite web |last1=Hollabaugh |first1=Lorie |title=Tiera Kennedy Signs With Hill Entertainment Group, WME |url=https://musicrow.com/2023/09/tiera-kennedy-signs-with-hill-entertainment-group-wme/ |website=MusicRow |access-date=10 April 2024 |date=14 September 2023}} She opened for artists including Kelsea Ballerini and Danielle Bradbery. In 2023, she released the single "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist", co-written by Eily Falvey, Trianne Anderson, and Emily Landis.{{cite web |last1=Kurtis |first1=Jeffrey |title=TIERA KENNEDY - "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist" |url=https://www.todayscountrymagazine.com/index.php/reviews/single-reviews/3336-single-review-tiera-kennedy-jesus-my-mama-my-therapist |website=Todays Country Magazine |access-date=10 April 2024}}
In 2024, Kennedy was featured on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album, performing on "Blackbiird" alongside other Black female country singers.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/beyonce-blackbiird-interview-brittney-spencer-reyna-roberts-tiera-kennedy-tanner-adell-1235645416/|title=Hear From the 4 Black Country Women on Beyoncé's 'Blackbiird': 'We Were Having a Little Destiny's Child Moment'|date=March 29, 2024|first1=Melinda|last1=Newman|first2=Jessica|last2=Nicholson|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 9, 2024}} She also provided background vocals on the album track "Tyrant".{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/living/2017/01/meet_tiera_leftwich_country_mu.html|title=Meet Tiera Leftwich, country music singer, entrepreneur, and college freshman|date=January 9, 2017|first=Shauna|last=Stuart|work=AL.com|access-date=April 9, 2024}}
After Kennedy parted ways with Big Machine Records, she self-released "I Ain't a Cowgirl" on April 26, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Dow |first1=Marissa |title=The Way I'm Obsessing Over All Of The Country Women On Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' |url=https://betches.com/country-women-beyonces-cowboy-carter/ |website=Betches.com |access-date=11 April 2024 |date=4 April 2024}} Kennedy's debut studio album, Rooted, was released on October 18, 2024, through her own Green Is My Color imprint. Two further promotional singles – "Cry" and "Can't Help My Country" – were issued ahead of its release, and the album features a collaboration with Jordin Sparks.
Personal life
Kennedy married creative director Kamren Kennedy in 2021 after seven years of dating.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/country/tiera-marries-kamren-kennedy-wedding-photos/|title=Tiera Weds Creative Director Kamren Kennedy After 7 Years of Dating: 'We Just Clicked from the Beginning'|date=October 4, 2021|work=People|first1=Sarah|last1=Michaud|first2=Tomás|last2=Mier|access-date=April 9, 2024}}
Discography
=Studio Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and sales ! rowspan="1" style="width:10em;"| Title ! rowspan="1" style="width:22em;"| Album details |
| scope="row" |Rooted{{cite web|url=https://musicrow.com/2024/10/tiera-kennedy-remains-rooted-in-authenticity-on-debut-album-interview/|title=Tiera Kennedy Remains 'Rooted' In Authenticity On Debut Album [Interview]|author=Liza Anderson|date=October 23, 2024|website=Music Row|access-date=November 20, 2024}}
|
|
|---|
=EPs=
- Tiera Acoustic EP (2015)
- Tiera (Independent, 2021)
= Singles =
- "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist" (Big Machine Label Group, 2023)
- "I’ll Be Home For Christmas" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
- "Blue Christmas" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
- "Alabama Nights" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
- "Found it In You" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
- "Gentlemen" (Big Machine Label Group, 2021)
- "Found It In You" (Independent, 2021)
- "Be Kind" (The Acoustic Room, 2020)
= Other appearances =
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Award ! scope="col"| Work ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| rowspan=2|2024
| rowspan=2|People's Choice Country Awards |rowspan=2|"Blackbiird" {{small|(with Beyoncé, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer and Reyna Roberts)}} | The Collaboration Song of 2024 | {{nominated}} | rowspan=2 align="center"|{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Zach Bryan, Beyoncé & More Lead 2024 People's Choice Country Awards Nominations: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-peoples-choice-country-awards-nominations-list-zach-bryan-beyonce-1235752506/ |access-date=August 14, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} |
| The Cover Song of 2024
| {{nominated}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://tiera.com/}}
- {{AllMusic|id=mn0004188770}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy, Tiera}}
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:African-American country musicians
Category:African-American women songwriters
Category:American country songwriters
Category:American women country singers
Category:Big Machine Records artists
Category:Country musicians from Alabama
Category:Guitarists from Alabama