Life is pretty sweet for rising country singer RaeLynn right now.
She's on a first-name basis with country stars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert - in fact, she duets with him on the title track of his new CD and she'll be opening for Lambert's Certified Platinum tour starting in January.
Her current single, "God Made Girls," is No. 21 on Billboard's Hot Country Hits chart and No. 8 on Great American Country's video countdown - and still climbing both charts.
If you go• What: RaeLynn in US101 High Noon Saloon show.• When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.• Where: Track 29, 1400 Market St.• Admission: $10.• Phone: 423-521-2929.• Website: track29.co/shows.cmAge requirementsAll guests ages 13-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 21 or older. Both parent and minor will be marked as underage and not allowed to purchase alcohol. One parent/guardian may escort up to four minors to the show. Anyone age 18 or older must provide valid photo ID to enter venue.
She was chosen the first female iHeart Media on The Verge Artist by iHeart Radio.
Then, two weeks ago, she was one of five females inducted into the 2014 class of CMT's Next Women of Country - the network's prestigious recognition of the new generation of signed or unsigned female artists making an impact on country music. The other acts were Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and Maddie & Tae.
"I found out about a month ago that I was one of the four. The ceremony was cool. They brought last year's class (which includes hometown singer Lauren Alaina) to the event. There was lots of radio there, lots of industry people. Lauren and I are friends. We don't get to hang out as much anymore, because we are always so busy, but she's a good friend. It was so cool to see all my friends and the girls I hear on the radio," said the singer during a phone interview.
RaeLynn - born Racheal Lynn Woodward - performed her hit single, "God Made Girls," at the industry event, which she'll play for fans attending her show at Track 29 on Tuesday night, Nov. 18. In addition to "God Made Girls," the Texan said she'll preview new music coming out at the first of the year in her performance here.
"I have an EP coming out in January. Every song on the EP is one I've written. I always try to think of what my fans want to hear and put that in my music," she says of her writing.
When planning the video treatment for "God Made Girls," RaeLynn says, she "wanted it to show the whimsy of a woman and to be visually beautiful and magical. I'm so glad my director totally made that come to life."
RaeLynn came to America's attention when she won a spot on Team Blake in Season Two of "The Voice," the television vocal competition that was ultimately won that season by another Team Blake singer, Jermaine Paul. After "The Voice," she signed with Republic Nashville, co-wrote "Lie" with Miranda Lambert, sang backup vocals on Shelton's hit "Boys 'Round Here" all before releasing "God Made Girls" in July.
"I'm very close to Blake and Miranda. I think it's because we just had such a connection, and Miranda and I are a lot alike. Any time I need advice - and there have been a couple of times I called them for advice - I can call Miranda or Blake. They are very involved in everything I do. Anything I achieve, they always congratulate me. They are a class act."
When her Tuesday night show's over, don't race to be first out of the parking lot. The singer says that whenever possible, she stays to sign autographs and meet her fans.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.