She said this as she sipped her Crema coffee {shoutout}. When Grace & I first connected, I felt like I had met this real life 1940’s cowgirl. Like she is the real Jessie from Toy Story. So when she shared the fact that her heart truly belongs in the 40’s, it made sense.

Prior to meeting, I had stalked her social media because, really, do we ever meet someone without doing that first anymore?! I became fascinated with this concept that she and her husband, Keenan Wade, had cultivated. A 1940’s style Western Swing Band. Complete with cowboy attire & yodeling. Named cleverly, The Farmer and Adele.

It only gets better.

After I shared that I would love to feature her on this series, she invited me to an event they were playing at, Wine on the Rails. Let me tell you, this is pure gold.

Alright y’all, this is one of the best kept secrets in Nashville. A restored classic 1950’s-era train, 1940’s-1950’s style music, and wine tasting come together for a fun day trip. The train departs from the Tennessee Central Railway Museum & is cohosted by Muddy Roots Music. Passengers dress up in period clothing & travel back to the 50’s, while literally traveling to a beautiful vineyard & winery in Baxter, TN. If this doesn’t fit “on the outskirts of ordinary,” I don’t know what does.

Like how cool is this?! Move over Broadway, Nashville has so much more to offer.

The day started with us loading into the train at 8am. My husband & I rode with the band, & I’ll let you in on an industry secret, explaining “I’m with the band” never gets old. We rode through the most beautiful countryside while Grace, Keenan, Ivalee, & Jared warmed up. We had a classic newspaper delivered to us & tasted wine as we rode. Once the train arrived to Del Monaco Winery, we enjoyed lunch & more wine by the vineyard.

After enjoying the ambiance for a couple of hours, we reboarded the train & the real fun began. The band traveling from train car to train car, a total of around 20, playing classic favorites & new originals for the guests. A complete vintage band with an acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass, & fiddle. So much talent to not only keep their balance in the aisles as we traveled on the the winding track, but also played with such expertise. Yodeling, yipping, singing, and playing. The passengers were so excited & engaged, which was amazing considering how much wine had been served. I love seeing true engagement during a show; that’s when you know music is serving its purpose well.

Grace is not only an exceptional human & musician, but she also knows the coolest places off the beaten path. I was impressed with the train ride...& then she introduced me to Dee’s & I’m in love. Dee’s is a dive bar in Madison, about 30 minutes from downtown. It is everything my rural Missouri heart needed here in Nashville. A good ole fashioned smoky dive bar with a makeshift stage. Deer head on the wall, disco ball hanging from the ceiling. Located behind an Adult Superstore, with parking in the ditch. Absolute perfection. The OG style of writer’s rounds.
The most talented musicians have many different styles, Grace is no exception to this. She does the 1940’s cowgirl so effortlessly & then switches to classic country style with modern flair, featuring a steel guitar so naturally. Loved seeing her do originals solo, while occasionally bringing up a cowriter to sing with her. Incredibly impressed as thi was here first time doing the originals publicly.

Even when she isn’t playing in The Farmer and Adele, Grace carries herself as a classy cowgirl. She is the true definition of an independent female who also enjoys working alongside men. When we met over coffee, she brought up an excellent point...cowgirls were the original feminists. They were partners to their cowboys & there was a deep mutual respect. BLESS.
Could you imagine if the music industry re-adopted that mindset? This is the WHY for this series. Grace, you are an inspiration! I know we are new friends, but I am so proud to have you in my tribe. Thankful for your presence in the industry.

Check out 16th Ave Fringe highlights for an insider’s view of these events. Make sure to also check out links below, this feature contains all sorts of goodies!
xoxo,
​Faith
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When I first had the idea for this feature, I was vacuuming my living room. I stoppped abruptly to write it down...thinking, well it would be good to launch this in the next six months. Here I am, 1 month later, launching it. I could lie & say that I totally did this myself, but the truth is much cooler. Every time I told someone about my goals with this feature, not only did I get more excited, but so did every single person I told. My tribe, new & old, have supported & shaped this feature. I owe the momentum to my people, & I am incredibly grateful.

Here is the WHY for this feature:
¥Women fronted bands are not played on the radio as much a men fronted
¥Women fronted bands are not booked as much at festivals at men fronted
¥Sexism not only lives in our society, it lives in the entertainment industry

We can sit around & bitch about it, or we can be the change. I wanted to be the change. So, I decided to celebrate all the badass women out there, defying the odds. Raising hell & having fun. Because there are plenty.

Here is WHAT this feature will be:
A monthly feature of a woman/woman fronted band in the industry. Exclusives, interviews, stories, etc.

We are going them hell on heels.
xoxo,
Faith