Gretchen Peters
A beloved figure in Nashville’s music scene for more than two decades.
For more than two decades, Gretchen Peters has been a beloved and respected figure in Nashville’s music scene. "If Peters never delivers another tune as achingly beautiful as 'On a Bus to St. Cloud,'" People Magazine once wrote, "she has already earned herself a spot among country's upper echelon of contemporary composers.” This sentiment captures the essence of Peters’ extraordinary career.
In October 2014, Peters was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame by none other than singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, who praised her as "both a songwriter and a poet (who) sings as beautifully as she writes.” Crowell was so moved by her song “The Matador” that he confessed, "it moved me so greatly, I cried from the soles of my feet.”
Peters’ songwriting has earned accolades across a diverse array of artists, including Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, The Neville Brothers, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Bryan Adams, and Faith Hill. Her song “Independence Day,” recorded by Martina McBride, won the Country Music Association Song of the Year award in 1995. Over her illustrious career, Peters has been nominated for two Grammys (“Independence Day” by Martina McBride, “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” by Patty Loveless), a Golden Globe (“Here I Am” by Bryan Adams), and numerous other awards.
Her 2015 album, Blackbirds, was honored with International Album of the Year and Song of the Year by the UK Americana Association. That same year, The Telegraph named her one of the greatest 60 female singer-songwriters of all time. In 2021, the Academy of Country Music awarded her The Poets Award, solidifying her status as a lyrical genius. This year, Peters is set to release a live album, recorded during her 2019 UK tour with her band and an all-female Scottish string quartet. Titled, The Show: Live from the UK, this album delivers the captivating performances that have made Gretchen Peters a legend in country music.
