K Michelle is prepared for her nation closeup. The former R&B artist and actuality star is leaning into her southern roots with a brand new album, a brand new identify and a CMA Awards collaboration with the night time’s Best New Artist winner Jelly Roll.
Under the alias Puddin, the Memphis native has launched her first nation tune, “Tennessee.” It’s the debut single from her forthcoming nation album — a transfer that feels completely pure to the star.
“It’s part of who I am,” the singer, 41, solely instructed Us Weekly forward of the 2023 CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 8. “It’s so crazy when I talk to people and they’re like, ‘How does this transition?’ There’s no transition, let’s be honest. This is who I am. This is how I was born; this is how I was raised.”
K Michelle (actual identify Kimberly Michelle Pate) made her Music City debut on nation music’s largest stage on Wednesday night time when she joined Jelly Roll for a stirring efficiency of The Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge.” It was a full-circle second for the musician, who additionally performs the tune alongside Jelly and the Fisk Jubilee Singers on the just lately launched album A Tribute to The Judds.
The Best Fashion From the 2023 CMA Awards
Fans can count on the largest names in nation music to point out Us their fierce style sense at the 2023 CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday, November 8. From glittering robes and flirty frocks to fashionable fits, the Bridgestone Arena pink carpet will likely be one to recollect. Aside from serving up modern eye sweet, the CMAs […]
“The first country that I got into was The Judds,” she mentioned. “The first tape I ever got was The Judds and it was ‘Love Can Build a Bridge.’”
As for sharing the stage with Jelly Roll, that’s all within the musical household for K Michelle.
“That’s my outlaw brother. I understand him,” she shared. “We are unusual suspects in country music. I know his whole journey, his struggle. We’re open books. We prevail, we do what we want to do, but most importantly we love the music. The best thing is that we have a mutual respect for each other, and [this pairing] was a match made in heaven.”
The efficiency was a shocking tribute to musical matriarch Naomi Judd, who handed away in 2022. With a crowd that included Judd’s daughter and bandmate Wynonna in attendance, K Michelle joined Jelly Roll to belt her approach by means of one in every of The Judd’s most memorable hits.
Taking the stage in feathers and rhinestones, it was straightforward to think about the previous R&B artist as each bit the nation star. Her highly effective adlibs introduced the gang to its ft for a standing ovation earlier than the efficiency had even ended. It was a second crammed with emotion for the performers and viewers alike.
CMA Awards 2023: Complete List of Nominees and Winners
Country music stars are celebrating massive wins at the 2023 CMA Awards. This yr’s ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday, November 8, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, is being hosted by NFL legend Peyton Manning and nation music’s personal Luke Bryan for the second yr in a row. In addition to his internet hosting duties, […]
“For me, country music has always been about storytelling and about the feel of it. How it feels,” she says, including, “I am so blessed and so excited to honor Naomi.”
For extra from Nashville, take a look at Us Weekly’s VIP Guide to Music City.
Discussion about this post