Onoleigh is a rising star in Nashville. Yet, her passion for people sets her apart from many in Music City. From the moment I met Onoleigh, her authenticity stood out to me. You can also hear that in her music. Because of that, when the opportunity to interview Onoleigh arose, I didn’t hesitate. Quite frankly, I am surprised it took me this long. I was an instant fan after seeing her play on Broadway. I believed she would become an incredible artist. Her releases of the 2021 single “Make it Hurt” and the 2022 release “Beautifully Broken” reinforced that belief. I was captured by her thoughtful and authentic lyrics and her powerhouse vocals. Please keep reading to learn more about Onoleigh and her music.
From Guidance Counselor to Country Music Artist
I met Illinois native Onoleigh not long after she moved to Nashville. She is an energetic performer with a vivacious but humble personality. Strangely, as long as I have known her, I learned something new about the singer/songwriter. Her origin story is unique in comparison to others in Nashville. Onoleigh said, “I worked as a middle school guidance counselor before deciding to move. After attending the University of Missouri, I worked with my students daily, encouraging them to chase their dreams. But I wasn’t doing it for myself because taking a chance is terrifying. Everyone wants a music career until it’s time to jump.”
A life filled with regret is a bitter pill to swallow. Thankfully, Onoleigh will not regret trying to chase a music career. She said, “I finally made the decision before taking a full-on position as a counselor. I would drop everything and move to Nashville.” In the worst case, I would return to Missouri, where I was teaching. I would have stories to tell my students. But I instantly fell in love with Nashville and believe it was in the stars for me to be here. In December, I celebrated six years in Nashville.”
Onoleigh would have been an excellent guidance counselor. I am confident about this. However, people’s lives are certainly enriched by her music. She further explained how that decision came to her. The singer/songwriter said, “My passion has always been people. So, the question has always been, how can I keep my cup full and still pour into other people’s? When I was working in the middle schools, I loved my students, but it was too close for me emotionally. So, music allows me to keep myself happy and feel like I am helping others. My favorite moments at my shows are when young people come up to me. They sing my lyrics and talk about how inspired they are.”
Music Was a True North for Onoleigh
I know what you are thinking. Onoleigh moved to town without ever being involved in music. Well, not quite. Onoleigh explained, “I’m a big believer in surrendering to your purpose, and whatever is supposed to happen will happen. Looking back at my life, I see that music has always been there. A few key things acted as a true north. I participated in the marching band. I also sang in an acapella group while in college. Those things kept me thinking about how much I enjoyed music. So, it’s not like I discovered I could sing when I moved to Nashville. However, as a career path, I didn’t believe it was possible at first. It took a couple of years before I finally took the plunge.
Onoleigh Cultivates Her Artistry
Nashville is full of talented songwriters and great singers. However, there are fewer people I would describe as artists in the music scene. You are born with vocal talent, but true artistry must be developed. Onoleigh has been learning how to be an artist since being in Music City. The Illinois native explained, “You do not know what artistry is until you are an artist. I could not prepare anyone for it. Many young girls from my hometown or nearby cities reach out to me. They ask me what they need to do get started in music. I wish I had an answer for them. My best advice is to take a deep dive into the field. Keep a good head on your shoulders. Get a support system. Then grind until you find your path. There is no single correct answer. “
When someone moves to Nashville for music, each person’s path is different. Some dip their toes into the water, and some dive in. Onoleigh reflects on her experience. She explains how playing in the Honky Tonks on Broadway helped her develop into the artist she is now. The singer/songwriter said, “When I got to town, I had my parents throw my boxes into my new apartment. Then, I went to play a show downtown at Tootsie’s. So, after the audition, I got the job. They called me at five o’clock every morning to tell me what stage I was playing. I was so eager and still am but in different ways. I would spend my evenings learning country classics, wake up, and grind it out on Broadway. It was unexpected but good and paved the foundation for many things I do now.”
Onoleigh gave me a perspective on the benefits of playing cover shows that I had not considered. She explained, “I still play cover shows for private events, so I am using those skills I learned early on. On Broadway, I was playing a set list of the best music from the past few decades. So I could see what was most requested and which songs performed well. I also learned what I liked to sing and what I did not. Now that I am in songwriting, what I learned from performing cover sets has helped me write better songs. It made it fun to start writing my music by learning from what has worked in the past.”
Discovering Your Unique Voice as a Songwriter
Before moving to Nashville, Onoleigh knew she could sing but had not yet honed her songwriting craft. Onoleigh said, “Before moving to Nashville, I had only written for fun. But after moving to town, I was fortunate to meet Teddy Morgan. Teddy is a great writer. If I remember correctly, a few times a week, we sat in his studio. He would let me creatively roll. I would sing melodies to him, and I am sure half of them were horrendous. But he did not say anything. Teddy gave me the space to learn. We cut work tapes, and he taught me the vernacular and verbiage of being in the studio. So, every time I am in the studio, I remember Teddy’s patience with me and learning what flying a chorus or doubling your vocals means. Finding a champion for yourself who gives you room to find your sound is important.”
Finding your voice as a songwriter helps you find your sound as an artist. Suppose you think of one of your favorite artists, and even when you hear a new song, you know whose song it is. Learning what you want to say as an artist helps you shape your brand. Onoleigh is a songwriter and artist who understands this. The singer/songwriter said, “As you start making a brand for yourself, you start recognizing other artists. Then it is like, wait, I do that. Someone once told me that you have a strong brand if people dress up like you at a show. As I look at some pop stars that people dress up as for Halloween, like Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift, I wonder what that looks like for me. So, I am looking at my artistry differently now. It is a world I did not even consider when I began the music process.”
It’s About More than the Music
While music is still essential to someone’s artistry, you must also understand that you are a business. To be a brand in the music industry, you must learn to sell yourself as much as the music. Without promotion, your music and your shows will go unheard and unseen. One of the things I admire about Onoleigh is she has figured that out. Onoleigh explained, “Transparently, one of the most difficult things is being the commodity being sold. It’s challenging because if you are looking at a business, you have your ROI and all that business talk. But when you are the product, you must figure out where that sits. You need to take care of the product, aka yourself. You must be capable of pulling yourself out of what you have experienced. Look at it objectively. But also create it subjectively. The best music is when you create it for yourself. From a business standpoint, how will I market this? But, also, how do I make art that feels authentic?
The Challenge to Be Authentic in the Music
As a fan, I have always been drawn to music that feels authentic to my experience. It should also be authentic to the artist singing it. I love the new music Onoleigh is releasing, but as I mentioned before, “Beautifully Broken” made me notice her. The song is commercial-friendly but resonates with authenticity. Onoleigh discussed the importance of authenticity and releasing meaningful songs. The singer/songwriter explained, “I believe everything we do is less about a music career and more of a spiritual journey. I continue to be less robotic and more authentic. It’s important to remember that what we’re putting out into the universe is providing solace for people. It helps those who need to hear that. They might be trying to escape the emotion or feel it. You have to be conscious of how your music will be perceived. To build a fanbase like you, you must be authentic.
Onoleigh continued, “Beautifully Broken” was my first song with some vulnerability. “Ghost Stories” and “Make it Hurt” were external songs. But, “Beautifully Broken” was the first time I looked at my journey. I asked what I was struggling with. I love it when you or others tell me it’s one of their favorite songs. It means you get me in some capacity. If that is one of your favorite songs, and I wrote it, I feel seen. You feel seen in the song, too. It is such a beautiful thing that results from music. All the music still applies to me, but differently. I have this vulnerable and confident side with vivacious excitement for life.”
Onoleigh Releases Her Debut EP “First Rodeo”
Onoleigh has only released singles until now. On March 14, 2025, Onoleigh released her debut EP. It is the culmination of a few singles leading up to the release of the EP. She reflected, “The singles I have been releasing are empowering, like “Higher Standards.” The hook, I got high heels but higher standards, is like a checklist of what I need from a man. That song has become an external persona of my internal confidence. Transparently, I was not feeling confident when I was writing the song. I was writing music to pull those emotions out of me.”
“Higher Standards” was followed by “Drink or Cry” and “Ok, Later.” Onoleigh said, “The idea came from something I always tell my friends. You never have to worry about me drinking and driving. But you do have to worry about me drinking and crying. So, with “Ok, Later,” you begin to hear a common theme. “Bottomless Tears” comes when the anger is gone, and you feel pure emotion.”
“Bottomless Tears” was the last single before dropping the EP. Onoleigh couldn’t contain her excitement about this song. She said “Bottomless Tears” hit over 10,000 streams in less than a week. This is one of the first songs, other than “Beautifully Broken,” that, to me, feels sonically soulful. “Bottomless Tears” is a song for me about the raw emotion after the anger from infidelity has subsided. I was in a relationship that did not go well. So, on the EP, every song until “Bottomless Tears” is empowered, angry, and spiteful. The I don’t need you type songs. Those emotions did exist. Still, this song was my realization. No matter what he did, it was over. Then, all the sadness was left, and you were pouring out bottomless tears. You say goodbye to all the everything you will miss out on with this person because the relationship has ended.”
My Thoughts
Onoleigh is a true artist who continues to release commercial-friendly but authentic, emotionally satisfying music. While she may not have planned it to be a concept EP, her new EP sure fits that bill. When you listen from top to bottom, the songs certainly all fit together. Onoleigh recalled, “It feels cohesive because the songs were about the same person. I did not write it thinking it would be a concept EP. However, once the songs were written, and we put them in order, it gives that feeling. It follows the healing process.”
I suggest listening to the entire EP in one sitting because it will take you on her healing journey. If this is your first time hearing Onoleigh’s music, check out the rest of her catalog, too. If you have the chance to see her live, expect an engaging performance with soaring vocals from start to finish. I left her EP release show feeling that energy you get when you leave a great concert. Trust me. Onoleigh is an artist to watch. I believe she is on the verge of breaking through. She has everything she needs to be one of the next breakout artists; people will say I saw her when. What are your thoughts?
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