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Tiera Kennedy

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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".

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

Background

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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

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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

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

Discography

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Studio Albums

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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

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

Singles

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  • "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

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

Awards and nominations

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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

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  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.
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