Willow Avalon
{{Short description|American country singer-songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Willow Avalon
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Willow Avalon Martin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|8|20}}
| birth_place = Carlton, Georgia, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2012–present
| relatives = Jim White (father)
| website = {{URL|willowavalonmusic.com}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = Country
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|piano}}
| label = Atlantic
}}
}}
Willow Martin{{cite news |title=Willow Avalon debuts roadtrip-ready anthem "Drivin" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/tracks/willow-avalon-debuts-roadtrip-ready-anthem-drivin |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=September 1, 2021}} (born August 20, 1998), known professionally as Willow Avalon, is an American country singer-songwriter. She is signed to Atlantic Records. She released her debut EP, Stranger in 2024, followed by her first album, Southern Belle Raisin' Hell, in 2025.
Early life
Willow Martin was born in Carlton, Georgia, on August 20, 1998. She is the daughter of musician Jim White.{{cite mag |title=Willow Avalon reveals debut album Southern Belle Raisin' Hell, due 17 January |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/willow-avalon-southern-belle-raisin-hell-debut-album-due-january |access-date=2025-02-13 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=2024-12-14}} Her parents separated when she was a child.{{cite mag |last1=Bridgewater |first1=Paul |title=On the Rise: Willow Avalon |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/willow-avalon-on-the-rise |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=October 5, 2023}} White's song "Bluebird" was written about her.{{cite news |last1=Max |first1=Blau |title=How Jim White Helped His Bluebird Spread Her Wings |url=https://sundaylongread.com/2020/06/21/how-jim-white-helped-his-bluebird-spread-her-wings/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=The Sunday Long Read |date=June 21, 2020}} Avalon was later raised in Carlton, Georgia.{{cite news |last1=Lipkin |first1=Sam |title=Willow Avalon: The Southern Belle’s Hometown Return |url=https://flagpole.com/topstory/2025/02/05/willow-avalon-the-southern-belles-hometown-return/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Flagpole Magazine |date=February 5, 2025}} Avalon moved out and dropped out of high school in 2015 at age 16, before leaving Georgia for Los Angeles in 2016.
Career
Avalon released her first original song, "Your Not Mine", on YouTube in 2012. She performed on the kids' stage at that year's Athfest after winning Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School's battle of the band competition, Ram Jam (interview with Donovan's music coordinator, May 23, 2025), and opened for the Drive-By Truckers at the 40 Watt Club. Avalon signed to her first label at 18, but the deal fell through and her contract was cancelled.
Avalon self-published a single, "Drivin", in 2021. She signed to Atlantic Records/Assemble Sound in 2023. Her debut EP, Stranger, was released on February 29, 2024. The EP was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, New York City.{{cite news |last1=Mosk |first1=Mitch |title=“I still feel like a stranger to my listeners, and that’s something I want to change”: A Conversation With Willow Avalon |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/wavh-willow-avalon-interview-music-feature-debut-ep-stranger/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Atwood Magazine |date=January 23, 2024}}
Avalon released her debut album, Southern Belle Raisin' Hell, on January 17, 2025.{{cite mag |last1=Patton |first1=Alli |title=Who The Heck Is Willow Avalon?: The Southern Belle on a Mission to Raise a Little Hell |url=https://holler.country/feature/who-the-heck-is-willow-avalon-the-southern-belle-on-a-mission-to-raise-a-little-hell/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Holler |date=January 16, 2025}} She used her mugshot from a previous arrest for the album's cover. She celebrated the release with a performance of "Homewrecker" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.{{cite mag |last1=Burditt |first1=Peter |title=Up-and-Coming Country Star Willow Avalon Makes Her Late Night Televsion [sic] Debut |url=https://americansongwriter.com/up-and-coming-country-star-willow-avalon-makes-her-late-night-televsion-debut/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=American Songwriter |date=January 24, 2025}}{{cite mag |last1=Daykin |first1=James |title=Get to know Willow Avalon ahead of her UK tour and C2C appearances |url=https://entertainment-focus.com/2025/01/28/get-to-know-willow-avalon-ahead-of-her-uk-tour-and-c2c-appearances |access-date=February 23, 2025 |work=Entertainment Focus |date=January 28, 2025}}
In late 2024, Avalon announced a headline tour with performances across North America. The tour was later expanded to add venues in the UK and Ireland.{{cite news |last1=Daykin |first1=James |title=Willow Avalon announces debut UK tour dates for 2025 |url=https://entertainment-focus.com/2024/12/04/willow-avalon-announces-debut-uk-tour-dates-for-2025/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Entertainment Focus |date=December 4, 2024}} The first performance of the tour was held on January 30, 2025, in Philadelphia.
The Tennessean named Avalon one of their Top Artists to Watch in 2025.{{cite news |last1=Gibbs |first1=Audrey |last2=Hurt |first2=Melonee |last3=Dowling |first3=Marcus K. |title=Nashville's Top Artists to Watch in 2025 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1158746181/?match=1&clipping_id=166497173 |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=The Tennessean |date=January 8, 2025 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1158746181/?match=1&clipping_id=166497173 1F], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-nashvilles-top-artists-t/166497354/ 2F] |via=Newspapers.com}} On February 7, 2025, Avalon performed at the Exit/In in Nashville.{{cite news |last1=Dowling |first1=Marcus K. |title=Willow Avalon headlines a quiet, powerful night of female singer-songwriters at Exit/In |url=https://eu.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/02/08/willow-avalon-headlines-a-quiet-powerful-night-of-female-singer-songwriters-at-exitin/78179019007/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |work=Nashville Tennessean |date=2025-02-08}}
Discography
=Studio album=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Album details |
| scope="row" | Southern Belle Raisin' Hell
|
|
|---|
=Extended play=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | EP details |
| scope="row" | Stranger
|
|
|---|
=Singles=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.willowavalonmusic.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Avalon, Willow}}
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:American women country singers
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:Country musicians from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:People from Valdosta, Georgia
Category:People from Madison County, Georgia