Lauren Watkins Rise From Honky Tonk to Headliner

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Lauren Watkins has country music in her DNA. Her early career started in the most authentic way possible: spending her teenage years honing her skills by performing at honky tonks in downtown Nashville.

Despite an early devotion to music, Watkins took a detour to pursue a marketing degree at the Ole Miss. But the pull of Music City proved too strong. It was during her college years that she discovered a passion for songwriting, putting pen to paper to share honest, lived experiences.

Her big break came after she returned to Nashville. Her unyielding hustle, which included posting covers and clips online, caught the eye of GRAMMY-nominated multi-hyphenate Nicolle Galyon. This swiftly led to Watkins signing both a publishing and recording contract with Songs & Daughters and Big Loud Records.

Since then, she has made a major impact, earning titles like SiriusXM's Highway Find (2023) and a spot on the 2024 CMT Next Women of Country list. Her debut, The Heartbroken Record (2024), cemented her reputation for raw storytelling and a smoky voice. Watkins has also been busy on the road, sharing stages with major artists like Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, and Lainey Wilson. Her collaborations include recording with Sheryl Crow on "Set My Heart On Fire" and Jake Worthington on "Fly On The Wall." This rising star is proving that sometimes, the only way to chase a dream is to go from the college halls straight back to the honky tonk stage.