Lauren Jenkins
Singer Lauren Jenkins singing into a microphone while playing the guitar.
Jenkins performing in July 2017
Born
Lauren Elizabeth Jenkins

(1991-09-16) September 16, 1991 (age 32)
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
EducationWilliam Esper Studio
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actress
  • director
Years active2009–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2022)​
Musical career
OriginMemphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels
Websitelaurenjenkins.com

Lauren Elizabeth Jenkins (born September 16, 1991) is an American singer-songwriter. Throughout her teenage years, Jenkins performed regularly at nightclubs in various states, before settling in New York City to study acting. While involved with the film industry, she landed the role of Trey Campbell in Deadline (2012). Big Machine Records would sign Jenkins as a recording artist in 2013 and release her debut extended play (EP) The Nashville Sessions EP in 2016. This was followed by her debut studio album, No Saint (2019), which ranked on Billboard's Top Country Albums and Heatseekers Albums charts. After being removed from Big Machine's roster in March 2020, she independently released her second EP Miles on Me, Part 1 in July 2021.

Life and career

1991–2012: Early life and career beginnings

Lauren Elizabeth Jenkins was born on September 16, 1991, in Arlington, Texas, and raised in South Carolina.[1][2] She has a younger sister which she considers one of her role models.[3] When Jenkins was six years old, her father took her to her first concert and around the age of eight, she began writing songs.[4][5] As a child, she often attended concerts with her father. Jenkins stated that her musical inspirations include "acts like Tom Petty and The Allman Brothers Band".[4] During high school, she was a competitive swimmer and participated in the AAU Junior Olympic Games.[6] At age 15, Jenkins bought a car and an acoustic guitar and moved to Memphis, Tennessee.[7] Jenkins also briefly resided in Charleston, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina.[8][9] She began homeschooling so she could travel and pursue a career in music.[4] Around that time, she earned money from modeling for Mello Yello and Coca-Cola, and co-hosting Jerry Lawler's wrestling television show Jerry Lawler's Memphis Wrestling.[6][10] Jenkins sang in nightclubs using a fake identity document on the East Coast following her relocation to Memphis.[2][7] She also attended open mic nights and sought out coffee shops and airports where she could perform throughout North Carolina.[5] Jenkins left Memphis and moved to New York City to follow her acting career "more seriously".[11] After performing regularly in the latter city, Jenkins would settle there to attend the William Esper Studio school for acting.[2][4] While splitting her time between New York City and Los Angeles, Jenkins worked on the set of Cigarette Girl (2009) and starred as a bartender in both N-Secure (2010) and Tough Trade (2010).[2] In 2012, she played Trey Campbell in the mystery drama film Deadline (2012).[12] It received generally negative reviews from film critics.[13]

2013–2019: Signing with Big Machine and No Saint

Trey Bruce, Jenkins's producer, sent demos he had worked on with her to various record labels in 2013. Bruce received a phone call from Big Machine Records's CEO Scott Borchetta which resulted in Jenkins booking a flight to Nashville, Tennessee, the next day.[4] She would sign a record deal with Big Machine in the same year.[7] Among others, Jenkins was one of the opening acts for Brantley Gilbert, The Band Perry and Justin Moore for the Super Weekend at the Brickyard event held in July 2014.[14] The aforementioned label released a Mötley Crüe tribute album titled Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe in August, which includes a country cover of the band's "Looks That Kill" by Jenkins.[4][15] Chuck Dauphin from Billboard named her in January 2015 one of the "10 Hot Country Artists to Watch in 2015".[16] In March 2016, it was reported that she would be one of the acts performing at the Carolina Country Music Fest held in June.[17] On May 27, 2016, Big Machine released The Nashville Sessions EP as Jenkins's debut extended play (EP) which "captures [Jenkins's] love of country, Southern rock and Americana", according to James Reed of Rolling Stone.[7][18][19] She co-wrote four of the songs and included her covers of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" and "Looks That Kill" on it.[7][19] Furthermore, Jenkins was an opening act for Lady A and LeAnn Rimes during the summer of 2016.[7] In 2017, she directed a music video for fellow singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress's single "The Stranger".[2]

Big Machine released "Give Up the Ghost" as Jenkins's debut single in October 2018, however it was not serviced to radio stations as she wanted to "give people a chance" to see if they would like it.[20] On November 16, Jenkins announced that her debut studio album, titled No Saint, was set for release on March 15, 2019. Big Machine released the single "Maker's Mark and You" on the same day.[21] Bobby Bones selected Jenkins as part of his "Class of 2019" artists in January 2019.[6] Upon being chosen as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month in February, she made her debut on Today on the seventh of that month.[22] Jenkins performed at country music festival C2C: Country to Country in March.[23] Two days before her first album's release, Jenkins premiered its accompanying short film Running out of Road (2019), which she co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in, at the Violent Crown Cinema during the Austin City Limits Music Festival.[24][25] No Saint was issued on March 15 by Big Machine.[26] The record consists of an Americana, country, indie, pop and rock sound; she co-wrote every song on the album.[27][28][29] No Saint was released to positive reviews, and peaked at numbers 7 and 18 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums and Top Country Albums charts, respectively.[30][31][32] Jenkins performed songs from the album at Billboard's and CMT's "Billboard Live Featuring CMT Next Women Of Country" event on June 3.[29] Also in June, she was one of the performing artists at the CMA Music Festival.[33] On September 15, Jenkins sang at O2 Academy Glasgow.[34]

2020–present: Departure from Big Machine and Miles on Me

In early 2020, Jenkins was the supporting act for the European leg of Brett Eldredge's tour.[30] She appeared on Ricky Ross's Another Country with Ricky Ross radio show on BBC Radio Scotland in February to perform songs from No Saint.[35] On March 5 Jenkins learned from a Big Machine staffer that the label had dropped her.[30] Additionally, Jenkins was going to embark on a European and United Kingdom tour in the same year, which was ultimately canceled.[36] Her first independent release was "Ain't That Hard", which was unveiled in May 2020.[37] Jenkins revealed in July 2021 that her second EP, Miles on Me, would be released in three parts, with its first part being released in the same month. She told American Songwriter that when the COVID-19 pandemic began, she abandoned work on her second studio album and instead conceived Miles on Me over three studio sessions throughout 2020.[38]

Artistry and personal life

Reed labeled Jenkins a "natural country-pop star" and MusicRow's Liza Anderson described her as an "Americana singer-songwriter".[7][39] In reviews of No Saint, music critics highlighted Jenkins's vocal delivery. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that her voice is the "first striking thing" when listening to the album.[28] According to Tom Roland from Billboard, Jenkins's voice makes use of "multiple personalities". He regarded her lower resonance as "haunting and spooky" as well as her upper register being "biting and forceful".[40] Marissa R. Moss of Rolling Stone stated that Jenkins was "never afraid" to showcase her vocal delivery on No Saint.[41] Billboard's Annie Reuter noted that the album has been recognized for her "smoky vocals and vivid storytelling".[32] Jenkins's vocals have also been compared to those of Norah Jones,[28] Sheryl Crow,[42] and Stevie Nicks.[42][43] No Saint comprises themes of romance,[41][44] self-doubt,[28] and alcohol.[28][43]

Throughout 2020, Jenkins performed live on social media platforms to help sustain herself and had given over 100 concerts by October. According to her, the tips she received from the viewers were "paying [her] bills".[36] In 2022, she had hip replacement surgery as she suffered from chronic pain which was caused by extensive touring.[45] During a songwriter's event at Napa, California, in 2021, musician Patrick Davis proposed to Jenkins.[45] The pair had previously performed at charity events together.[8][46] They wed on October 15, 2022, at Lookout Mountain, Georgia.[47] Jenkins moved to Nashville in 2013, where she resides with Davis.[48][49] The couple sang at Bret Saberhagen's cancer charity event "Strike Out" in September 2022.[50]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Country
[32] 		US
Heat
[31]
No Saint 18 7

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title EP details
The Nashville Sessions EP
  • Released: May 27, 2016[18]
  • Label: Big Machine
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Miles on Me, Part 1
  • Released: July 9, 2021[51]
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist
Title Year Album
"Give Up the Ghost"[20] 2018 No Saint
"Maker's Mark and You"[21]
"Ain't That Hard"[52] 2020 Non-album single
"Like You Found Me"[53] 2021 Miles on Me, Part 1

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles
Title Year Album
"Hungry Heart / Stolen Car"[54] 2020 Non-album promotional singles

Guest appearances

List of guest appearances
Title Year Album
"Looks That Kill"[15] 2014 Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe

References

  1. ^ "Lauren Elizabeth Jenkins". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Donelson, Marcy. "Lauren Jenkins Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  3. ^ Fields, Taylor (March 6, 2019). "Bebe Rexha, Fletcher, Lauren Jenkins & More Talk Female Empowerment". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Dauphin, Chuck (August 13, 2014). "Exclusive Song Premiere: Lauren Jenkins Gives Motley Crue's 'Looks That Kill' a Country Twist". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Reuter, Annie (March 15, 2019). "Emerging Country Artist Spotlight: Lauren Jenkins". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Huelsman, Morgan (January 30, 2019). "Class of 2019 Artist Lauren Jenkins Used To Have Wrestling TV Show Job". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Reed, James (July 1, 2016). "10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: July 2016". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Patterson, Lezlie (November 28, 2019). "Patrick Davis hosts charity event ahead of rivalry football game". The State. p. D5. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Allen, Wade (December 9, 2015). "Singer/songwriters Lauren Jenkins, Ingrid Andress to perform in Charlotte". The Gaston Gazette. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Beifuss, John (June 5, 2010). "Lawler goes to the mat for return of wrestling show". The Commercial Appeal. pp. M1, M5. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Beifuss, John (March 2, 2012). "Civil rights-themed crime thriller modestly produced, well-acted". The Commercial Appeal. p. 16. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Anderson, John (April 11, 2012). "Deadline". Variety. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Deadline (2012) Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  14. ^ Hamblin, Abby (July 24, 2014). "Brickfest, Indy Film Fest and more things to do this weekend". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Leahey, Andrew (June 10, 2014). "Motley Crue Country Tribute Album Postponed". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Dauphin, Chuck (January 1, 2015). "10 Hot Country Artists to Watch in 2015". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Three more artists announced for Carolina Country Music Fest in June". WMBF-TV. March 4, 2016. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  18. ^ a b "The Nashville Sessions EP – Lauren Jenkins". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Shelburne, Craig (May 27, 2016). "Industry Ink: Lauren Jenkins, Quaker City Nighthawks, Buzz Cason, Bob DiPiero". MusicRow. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Dauphin, Chuck (October 17, 2018). "Inside Lauren Jenkins' Risky, Personal 'Give Up the Ghost' Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Hollabaugh, Lorie (November 16, 2018). "Lauren Jenkins' No Saint Set To Debut In March". MusicRow. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  22. ^ Krol, Jacklyn (February 18, 2019). "Lauren Jenkins Makes Today Show Debut With 'Running Out of Road'". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  23. ^ Cantrell, LB (March 11, 2019). "Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell, Travis Denning, Cam Visit Europe During C2C Festival". MusicRow. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  24. ^ "Lauren Jenkins". All Access. March 15, 2019. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  25. ^ "Lauren Jenkins Short Film Running Out Of Road Available Everywhere" (Press release). Big Machine Records. March 22, 2019. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "No Saint – Lauren Jenkins". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  27. ^ "Review: Lauren Jenkins' Debut Album No Saint Is a Gem in the Rough". Taste of Country. April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  28. ^ a b c d e Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "No Saint Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  29. ^ a b Reuter, Annie (May 22, 2019). "Billboard and CMT Partner For Second Annual 'Billboard Live Featuring CMT Next Women Of Country' Event". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  30. ^ a b c Moss, Marissa R. (May 8, 2020). "Dropped From Her Label, Lauren Jenkins Looks for a New Way Forward". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Lauren Jenkins Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  32. ^ a b c Reuter, Annie (May 31, 2019). "Four Rising Country Artists You Need To Know, From Caylee Hammack to Ingrid Andress". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  33. ^ Betts, Stephen L.; Freeman, Jon; Hudak, Joseph; Moss, Marissa R. (June 4, 2019). "CMA Fest 2019: 25 Must-See Free Shows". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  34. ^ "10 Things to Do Today". The Sunday Times. September 15, 2019. p. 26.
  35. ^ "Another Country with Ricky Ross, Lauren Jenkins". BBC Radio Scotland. February 4, 2020. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  36. ^ a b Chow, Andrew R. (October 28, 2020). "The Pandemic Could Have Hurt Country Music. Instead, the Genre Is Booming". Time. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  37. ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (July 12, 2021). "Lauren Jenkins Releases Part One Of Miles On Me Trilogy". MusicRow. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  38. ^ Crone, Madeline (July 13, 2021). "Lauren Jenkins Rises From the Ash with Part One of Three-EP Set Miles On Me". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  39. ^ Anderson, Liza (October 14, 2022). "Fourth Annual Songwriters In Paradise Napa Lineup Announced". MusicRow. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  40. ^ Roland, Tom (January 11, 2019). "7 Country Acts to Watch in 2019: Lauren Jenkins, Aaron Goodvin, Twinnie & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  41. ^ a b Moss, Marissa R. (December 9, 2019). "40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2019". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  42. ^ a b Horowitz, Hal (March 12, 2019). "Lauren Jenkins: No Saint". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  43. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (January 10, 2019). "10 Artists to Watch in 2019". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  44. ^ Rhodes, Clint (April 4, 2019). "Music Review: Lauren Jenkins – No Saint". The Herald-Standard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  45. ^ a b Despres, Tricia (April 15, 2022). "Lauren Jenkins Is 'Getting Stronger' After Hip Replacement at 30: 'Chronic Pain Is No Joke'". People. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  46. ^ Runnells, Charles (August 6, 2018). "Nashville songwriters play their Zac Brown, Jimmy Buffett hits at Songwriters 4 Vets". The News-Press. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  47. ^ Despres, Tricia (November 23, 2022). "After Months of Physical Therapy, Lauren Jenkins Walks Down the Aisle: 'It Was a Big Accomplishment'". People. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  48. ^ Moss, Marissa R. (March 20, 2019). "How Lauren Jenkins Embraced Imperfection (and Beyoncé) on Her Debut Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  49. ^ Donaghy, St. Claire (April 17, 2021). "Patrick Davis, Lauren Jenkins singer-songwriters, a GPA concert at Sundance". Index-Journal. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  50. ^ Kassabian, Sara (September 13, 2022). "Toby Keith and other celebs coming to Paso Robles for cancer charity event". The Tribune. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  51. ^ "Miles on Me, Part 1 – EP by Lauren Jenkins on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). July 9, 2021. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  52. ^ "Ain't That Hard – Single by Lauren Jenkins on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). May 8, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  53. ^ "Like You Found Me – Single by Lauren Jenkins on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  54. ^ "Hungry Heart / Stolen Car – Single by Lauren Jenkins on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). January 17, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.

External links

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