BY SYDNEY HARP

CMA weekend in Nashville is something to look forward to. It is the perfect combo of summer heat, sun, ice cold drinks, and most of all country music. This year I had the blessing of working media to write some reviews. 

One artist I highlighted on the lineup immediately was Julia Cole. I personally love to see an artist right before they make it big. I have had a feeling about Julia Cole since I first saw her play Whiskey Jam 2 years ago. Her vocals and style are undeniable. 

Julia started her set with high energy ‘Country Sugar’. When I spoke to people nearby me in the crowd, they seemed to not know who Julia Cole was yet. But one leaned over to me after the first 3 songs and said, “wow she is really amazing” and I would have to agree. 

Halfway through the setlist Julia brought out Charles Esten to play a few songs together. They played their song ‘Worst Day’ and then a cover of ‘Shallow’. I think the crowd was shocked by this and did not know how to react, but everyone was excited to hear the cover of ‘Shallow’. Selfishly, I was so excited to hear Julia’s song ‘Best Worst Ex’. It was just as awesome as I could have imagined.

In a day and age where there is endless editing it can be refreshing to see an artist with such vocal control. Julia has a level of authenticity that I admire. The first time I saw her play she said that her costume was made from her grandfather’s old shirts. I noticed this time that her guitar strap was made of a patchwork of what looked to be her grandfather’s shirts as well. I really love an artist that sticks to their roots in a natural way, and I have never seen something like that before.

Parts of the performance proved to be emotional for Julia. Her most recent release of ‘Diamondback’ being about her separation from her ex-fiancé. She kept it real in her speeches and kept the crowd engaged, for lack of better term. An artist that can turn the most intense pain into art is proving that they are right where they are meant to be.

Julia closed out her set with a high energy positive song about living it up this summer. By the looks of it, Julia is on her way to the Nissan stages next year and I cannot wait to see it.