Tiera Kennedy

Tiera Kennedy
Background information
Birth nameTiera Leftwich
Born (1998-07-24) July 24, 1998 (age 26)
Gardendale, Alabama, U.S.
OriginBirmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
Years active2015–present
Labels
SpouseKamren Kennedy
Websitetiera.com

Tiera Kennedy (née Leftwich; born July 24, 1998) is an American country music singer-songwriter. Kennedy is the host of Apple Music Country's The Tiera Show and is featured on Beyoncé's 2024 album Cowboy Carter as a vocalist on the track "Blackbiird".

Background

A native of Gardendale, Alabama, Kennedy grew up learning how to play the guitar from watching YouTube videos.[1] She grew up singing country music wherever she could, including restaurants like Chick-Fil-A and Buffalo Wild Wings.[2] While in high school, she met a group of bluegrass musicians which furthered her love for country music.[3] Her musical influences growing up included Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Kelsea Ballerini.[4][5]

Kennedy originally planned to enroll at Belmont University, but instead accepted a full-ride scholarship to University of North Alabama, where she spent one year.[6] During that time, she honed her songwriting skills at FAME Studios and ultimately decided to move to Nashville to pursue a career in music.[7]

Career

In 2018, Kennedy gained national attention after being mentored by Shania Twain on the reality TV show Real Country. Kennedy won her episode, marking the beginning of her rise in the industry.[8] Kennedy made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 2021 and was honored to perform at the ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium.[9]

In 2022, she signed with Big Machine Music Group and released "Found it In You", a song she had first recorded as a demo years earlier.[10] She followed this with the release of "Alabama Nights", a song reflecting her roots.[11]

Kennedy was named on MusicRow's Next Big Thing in 2022 and was also listed as Pandora's Country Artist to Watch.[12] She opened for artists including Kelsea Ballerini and Danielle Bradbery. In 2023, she released the single "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist", co-written by Eily Falvey, Trianne Anderson, and Emily Landis.[13]

In 2024, Kennedy was featured on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album, performing on "Blackbiird" alongside other Black female country singers.[14] She also provided background vocals on the album track "Tyrant".[15]

After Kennedy parted ways with Big Machine Records, she self-released "I Ain't a Cowgirl" on April 26, 2024.[16] Kennedy's debut studio album, Rooted, was released on October 18, 2024, through her own Green Is My Color imprint.[17] Two further promotional singles – "Cry" and "Can't Help My Country" – were issued ahead of its release, and the album features a collaboration with Jordin Sparks.[17]

Personal life

Kennedy married creative director Kamren Kennedy in 2021 after seven years of dating.[18]

Discography

Studio Albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and sales
Title Album details
Rooted[17]
  • Release date: October 18, 2024
  • Label: Green Is My Color
  • Format: Digital download

EPs

  • Tiera Acoustic EP (2015)
  • Tiera (Independent, 2021)

Singles

  • "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist" (Big Machine Label Group, 2023)
  • "I’ll Be Home For Christmas" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
  • "Blue Christmas" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
  • "Alabama Nights" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
  • "Found it In You" (Big Machine Label Group, 2022)
  • "Gentlemen" (Big Machine Label Group, 2021)
  • "Found It In You" (Independent, 2021)
  • "Be Kind" (The Acoustic Room, 2020)

Other appearances

  • "Blackbiird" (Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter, Columbia Records, 2024)
  • "Tyrant" (Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter, Columbia Records, 2024)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Work Category Result Ref.
2024 People's Choice Country Awards "Blackbiird" (with Beyoncé, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer and Reyna Roberts) The Collaboration Song of 2024 Nominated [19]
The Cover Song of 2024 Nominated

References

  1. ^ Short, Cody D. (March 29, 2024). "Gardendale native featured on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album: 'I couldn't be more thankful'". Alabama Media Group. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Hudak, Alison Abbey (31 October 2023). "Nashville's Most Beautiful People: Tiera". Nashville Lifestyles. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  3. ^ Tatum, Erin (28 November 2023). "Country Phenom Tiera Kennedy Elevates the Genre with Contemplative Beauty". ClicheMag. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  4. ^ Jones, Tyler H. (July 4, 2016). "Teen shows promise at Sweetland". LaGrange Daily News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Summerhill, Dominic (July 11, 2017). "UNA Student Follows Dreams into a Career in the Music Business" (Press release). University of North Alabama. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Summerhill, Dominic (July 11, 2017). "UNA Student Follows Dreams into a Career in the Music Business" (Press release). University of North Alabama. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Liptak, Carena (September 30, 2023). "Tiera Kennedy's Dynamic Path Led Her to a Sound That's 'More Country' Than Ever [Interview]". The Boot. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  8. ^ Shteamer, Hank (March 29, 2024). "Who's Who on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'". The New York Times. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "Tiera Kennedy". Grand Ole Opry. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Mower, Maxim (28 September 2022). "Tiera Kennedy Interview". Mindful-Melody. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  11. ^ Johannes, Patrick (22 September 2022). "TIERA KENNEDY SHARES ABOUT GROWING UP IN BIRMINGHAM ON "ALABAMA NIGHTS"". Nash in Tune. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  12. ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (14 September 2023). "Tiera Kennedy Signs With Hill Entertainment Group, WME". MusicRow. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  13. ^ Kurtis, Jeffrey. "TIERA KENNEDY - "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist"". Todays Country Magazine. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  14. ^ Newman, Melinda; Nicholson, Jessica (March 29, 2024). "Hear From the 4 Black Country Women on Beyoncé's 'Blackbiird': 'We Were Having a Little Destiny's Child Moment'". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Stuart, Shauna (January 9, 2017). "Meet Tiera Leftwich, country music singer, entrepreneur, and college freshman". AL.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  16. ^ Dow, Marissa (4 April 2024). "The Way I'm Obsessing Over All Of The Country Women On Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'". Betches.com. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Liza Anderson (October 23, 2024). "Tiera Kennedy Remains 'Rooted' In Authenticity On Debut Album [Interview]". Music Row. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  18. ^ Michaud, Sarah; Mier, Tomás (October 4, 2021). "Tiera Weds Creative Director Kamren Kennedy After 7 Years of Dating: 'We Just Clicked from the Beginning'". People. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  19. ^ Grein, Paul (August 14, 2024). "Zach Bryan, Beyoncé & More Lead 2024 People's Choice Country Awards Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2024.