LeAnn Rimes
Country music star LeAnn Rimes first gained national attention at age eight on the TV talent competition Star Search, competing as a junior vocalist and winning as a weekly champion. She was 13 years old in 1996 when her debut album, Blue, propelled her to fame on the strength of its iconic title track. At age 14, she became the youngest Grammy winner in history when she took home two trophies at the 39th Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. Her 1997 pop crossover ballad “How Do I Live” spent 69 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest run in that chart's history at the time. She scored another international number one hit in 2000 with “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” which is heard in the movie Coyote Ugly. In 2020, she even competed as "The Sun" on season four of The Masked Singer, winning the competition. Currently starring as Dixie Bennings on the ABC TV series 9-1-1: Nashville, she recently released a new single called “Wild Things Run,” written for her character on that show.
Photo by Randy Edwards, courtesy Royal Avenue Media
Between the Buried and Me
Founded in Raleigh, North Carolina circa early 2000, Between the Buried and Me blends progressive death metal with 1970s rock and jazz fusion turned up to 11. They’re known for lengthy and complex concept albums with sprawling sci-fi and philosophical storytelling, as heard on their 2007 full-length Colors. With dense, technical instrumental arrangements and layered compositions, each member is considered a virtuoso at their respective instrument, capable of everything from metalcore breakdowns and aggressive death metal vocals to melodic harmonies, ambient jazz diversions, and even novelty elements such as polka passages and cartoon sound effects. Their song “Condemned to the Gallows,” off their eighth studio album Automata I, earned them a 2019 Grammy award nomination for Best Metal Performance. Their newest release from last September, The Blue Nowhere, is their first album as a four-piece without longtime guitarist Dustie Waring.
Livenation
Alex Warren
Born in Carlsbad, Alex Warren’s father died of cancer when he was nine, and his mother's struggles with alcoholism led to him becoming homeless at age 17. He turned his experiences into a social media presence where, particularly on TikTok, his content gained a large following. He went on to co-found a collective of TikTok influencers, Hype House, as well as launching a successful music career with singles such as his global number one hit “Ordinary,” which topped the Billboard chart. His debut album You’ll Be Alright, Kid, scored him a 2025 Grammy award nomination for Best New Artist. He recently released a single and video for his track “Fine Place to Die.”
LeAnn Rimes
Country music star LeAnn Rimes first gained national attention at age eight on the TV talent competition Star Search, competing as a junior vocalist and winning as a weekly champion. She was 13 years old in 1996 when her debut album, Blue, propelled her to fame on the strength of its iconic title track. At age 14, she became the youngest Grammy winner in history when she took home two trophies at the 39th Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist. Her 1997 pop crossover ballad “How Do I Live” spent 69 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest run in that chart's history at the time. She scored another international number one hit in 2000 with “Can’t Fight the Moonlight,” which is heard in the movie Coyote Ugly. In 2020, she even competed as "The Sun" on season four of The Masked Singer, winning the competition. Currently starring as Dixie Bennings on the ABC TV series 9-1-1: Nashville, she recently released a new single called “Wild Things Run,” written for her character on that show.
Photo by Randy Edwards, courtesy Royal Avenue Media
Between the Buried and Me
Founded in Raleigh, North Carolina circa early 2000, Between the Buried and Me blends progressive death metal with 1970s rock and jazz fusion turned up to 11. They’re known for lengthy and complex concept albums with sprawling sci-fi and philosophical storytelling, as heard on their 2007 full-length Colors. With dense, technical instrumental arrangements and layered compositions, each member is considered a virtuoso at their respective instrument, capable of everything from metalcore breakdowns and aggressive death metal vocals to melodic harmonies, ambient jazz diversions, and even novelty elements such as polka passages and cartoon sound effects. Their song “Condemned to the Gallows,” off their eighth studio album Automata I, earned them a 2019 Grammy award nomination for Best Metal Performance. Their newest release from last September, The Blue Nowhere, is their first album as a four-piece without longtime guitarist Dustie Waring.
Livenation
Alex Warren
Born in Carlsbad, Alex Warren’s father died of cancer when he was nine, and his mother's struggles with alcoholism led to him becoming homeless at age 17. He turned his experiences into a social media presence where, particularly on TikTok, his content gained a large following. He went on to co-found a collective of TikTok influencers, Hype House, as well as launching a successful music career with singles such as his global number one hit “Ordinary,” which topped the Billboard chart. His debut album You’ll Be Alright, Kid, scored him a 2025 Grammy award nomination for Best New Artist. He recently released a single and video for his track “Fine Place to Die.”