Meet Erin McLendon | Country Singer/Songwriter

I’ve always known since I was younger that I enjoyed being creative. Whether it was with coloring, singing, dancing, whatever, I just loved having and using creative energy. I’ve been singing ever since I could remember and when I realized it was something I could pursue as a career, I never looked back!

I’m a country singer/songwriter first and foremost. I’ve always loved country music but one of my favorite things to do with my music is infuse it with all of the other genres that I love without losing the essence of what makes country music sound the way it does. I’m very proud of the music I’ve released over the last few years but my most recent release “Only Halfway Gone” feels like a new “era.”

As artists, it’s our job to keep writing and releasing new & exciting music while making it feel like it’s still uniquely our sound. That’s definitely been a struggle for me because I listen to a lot of different genres. I grew up performing musical theater, listening to classic rock, country, hip hop, pop, and more so, I try to weave that sound in to what I write.

Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s better to keep reinventing your sound as long as it sounds authentic to you. Look at people like Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Madonna, Taylor Swift, etc. They’ve all consistently molded and evolved and it just made their careers even bigger!

To be plain, I got here because I didn’t quit. This is the only career path for me and it’s all I want to do. As a woman it’s hard to be in the country music industry especially, which is not new news. A lot of what I do is meant to empower women and to fight against the outdated barriers set up against us. I think people are seeing more female artists grow and change and it’s becoming more widely accepted that evolving as an artist is how you do that.

I want the world to know that no matter where my music goes, it will always be authentically me. Whatever that means.

Some of my favorite spots in Nashville are definitely restaurants but, my husband and I love good food so we’d definitely cook for whoever’s visiting a few evenings. One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville is actually a little spot in my neighborhood called “Sam’s Place.” It’s a great local sports bar with a variety of food so, you could get a burger, nachos, pizza, etc.,or, you could get a really great steak, salmon, or whole-roasted chicken.

Obviously if you come to Nashville you have to see the staples: Ryman Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry, if it’s Christmas time, Opryland Hotel, Country Music Hall of Fame, Broadway, etc. My favorite bar on Broadway is Acme Feed & Seed. If you were looking for some spots that aren’t as well known outside of Nashville, I’d definitely take them to a show at Marathon Music Works, 3rd & Lindsley, and/or The Listening Room. There’s always great bands at either of those venues, and they’re three entirely different experiences.

Lastly, I really love to be outdoors and go for a walk so somewhere like Radnor Lake, or Cheekwood!