Published on November 27th, 2024 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Artist Focus: Audra Watt – Nashville Singer-songwriter on a Uniquely confessional Music Journey

Audra Watt released her debut single at the age of 41, catapulting herself into the limelight as an emerging alt-country star. So, it begs the question: Why did the Nashville artist wait so long to make her move into the music world? As she releases her latest single, ‘The Good Of It,’ we decide to take a look.

Audra Watt has shared her latest single, ‘The Good Of It,’ as she continues to build on her fledgling music career.

The artist released her first official single, ‘Bullet Trains,’ at the age of 41, leading many to ask why it had taken so long for audiences to hear her brilliant voice and deeply honest songwriting.

The answer to this question is as interesting as Audra’s songs. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter’s musical journey “spans decades, genres,” according to the artist herself. Born into a music-loving family, Audra’s parents introduced her to the folk-pop of the ’60s and ’70s, including influential artists like Peter, Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, and James Taylor. This early exposure ignited a lifelong passion for music, leading her to begin fiddle lessons at the age of four in Corvallis, Oregon. Her love for music (not to mention her curiosity) soon led her to beg for piano lessons.

This all kicked off a childhood steeped in music—from oboe to orchestra and from the rigors of musical theater to the improvisation of jazz bands. A pivotal move to Memphis, Tennessee, after eighth grade further fueled Audra’s musical ambitions and widened them. She joined school bands, city and state community bands, and the Memphis Youth Symphony (which led her to tour across Europe).

It was during this time that Audra wrote her first songs, drawing inspiration from piano-playing artists like Billy Joel and Tori Amos. Her musical education then continued in Nashville (where she attended college). In this musical hub, Audra was uninhibited in her pursuits, and she took courses in Country and Blues music and songwriting, even recording a small demo.

But after this, life led her down a “different path,” according to Audra herself. She moved away from music as family life and her day-to-day career took over. She married her husband Ryan and focused on raising their two children, Nolan and Isaac.

This all meant that Audra was able to look at music differently when a chance work trip took her back to Nashville shortly before her 40th birthday. With new perspectives on life, Audra returned to the music city she fell in love with – and decided it was time to start following her passion again.

Since then, Audra has reemerged in Nashville’s vibrant music scene, playing daily, performing in songwriter rounds, and collaborating with fellow artists.

The results of her hard work are in the songs themselves.

Audra’s first single release, ‘Bullet Trains,’ was excellent. Her follow-up, ‘The Good Of It,’ is equally great. If she continues on the path she’s on, she’ll have a huge fanbase heading into 2025.

Current Single: Peppermint Conition!

Find out more about Audra Watt here.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.