Grace Humphries is carving out her own lane with a soulful, smoky country-pop sound and a storytelling style that hits way beyond the surface. She’s been pouring her heart into music since she was five, and this is clearly just the beginning for her. We recently connected with Grace to discover what is next on the horizon for this young, talented artist.CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
GH: I have been singing and making up little jingles ever since I can remember. When I was eight, I started taking formal vocal lessons. Then at eleven, I started playing the piano. Soon after, when I was thirteen, I picked up the guitar. The guitar then inspired me to start writing my own songs. After a couple of years writing originals, I recorded my first demos at fifteen. These demos helped me start my music journey into the industry.
I am from Austin, Texas but I was born in San Diego, California. I lived in California for the first eight years of my life. Now eighteen, I have lived in Texas longer and would say I am more of a Texan than a Californian. Even though I am moving to Nashville in January, Texas will always be home to me. I am going to miss it dearly.
When I moved from California to Texas, I was immediately introduced to legends like George Strait and Randy Travis. When my brother passed away, I would play George Strait to get me through. Even though there is pop in my sound, the traditional country sound and 80s/90s country sound has always been a huge influence when writing my originals.
CN: Which artists have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
GH: There are so many artists that have influenced me, country and all. Johnny Cash, George Strait, Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Joni Mitchell, Queen, Fleetwood Mac and Dolly Parton have inspired me greatly. Some newer acts like the Rascal Flatts, Dan and Shay, Lady A, The Chicks, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Lizzy McAlpine, Charlie Puth, Adele and Emily Ann Roberts have also had an impact on me. George Strait was the first artist to introduce me to country music, and Joni Mitchell helped me be more authentic with my lyrics.
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process?
GH: It is really different every time I write a song. Sometimes I start with the melody and sometimes I start with lyrics/a poem. I’ll often also come up with the lyrics and melody at the same time.
You started making music really young — what’s the moment you knew this was more than a hobby and something you wanted to chase for real?
I knew I wanted to pursue this as a career when I started writing songs at thirteen. When I walked into a recording studio at fifteen to record my own demos, I knew there was no going back.
CN: Your songwriting blends personal moments with stories you see in books and movies. How do you decide which inspiration becomes a song?
GH: I never know what is going to inspire me. A lot of times I have a topic I want to write about and then I find media (like books, movies and other songs) to help me expand on that topic. Sometimes I’ll get inspired by other people’s life experiences (like heartbreak) and imagine that I was the one who experienced it.
CN: What was it like recording at Abby Road Studios?
GH: It was surreal! There was this special energy there, and it was almost like the genius of the artists who had gone before me was in my grasp. My dad is from Liverpool, and my half-brothers are from England so going to Abbey Road felt like home in many ways. I went at sixteen when I went but I want to go back when I am older so I can appreciate it even more than the first time.
CN: You’re only 18 and already building a solid fanbase. What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned stepping into the industry so young?
GH: The most integral lesson that I have learned, and other emerging artists should learn is that having tough skin does wonders for the trajectory of your career. The moment you let go and forget about other people’s opinions is the moment people will pay attention to you. Be authentic on stage and be authentic in your songwriting; be honest and don’t hold anything back. Another big lesson I’ve learned is that people in general and people in the industry will try to tell you what to be. Obviously don’t turn away good advice but don’t change who you are. There’s never been a you before, so hold on to that.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
GH: There are so many artists that I would love to collaborate with. A country artist that I would love to collaborate with would be either Zach Top or Lainey Wilson. A pop artist I would love to collaborate with would be either Ed Sheeran or Lizzy McAlpine.
CN: What was your first concert you ever attended?
GH: The first concert I ever attended was a Charlie Puth concert when I was fifteen. Even though he is not country, he has helped me to incorporate more soul into my sound. I also love his harmonies.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
GH: Joyful. I would say joyful because I always try to find the good in everything. I also have a lot of energy; I’m always talking and thinking. My joy and my energy usually go hand in hand.
CN: What else can fans look forward to this year?
GH: I will be attending Belmont University starting in January of 2026 and will be majoring in Commercial Music with an emphasis in voice. In addition to school, I will continue to put out singles and hopefully start touring.
CN: Just in time for the holidays, tell us about your latest song, “For Years.”
GH: “For Years” is a song about reminiscing on the Christmases you had as a child. The magic of Christmas seems to fade as you get older and you often feel more lonely during the holidays. The bridge in the song I feel best encapsulates the loneliness that so many feel: “I’ll never forget the joy I had found but those memories now seem so out of reach, like how my mother’s sweet voice called my brother and me to open our gifts under the tree. Oh why’d you have to leave?” When I say, “Oh why’d you have to leave?” I speak of the memories and the magic of Christmas that passed or left. But that line also refers to my brother Liam who passed away from brain cancer when he was 10 and I was 8. I have written many songs about my brother (unreleased) but this is the first opportunity that I’ve had as a songwriter to release a song and choose a single cover that honors his memory–even though he’s only mentioned in the bridge. I hope this song brings people comfort in knowing that they are not alone during the holidays.
For more information on Grace Humphries, visit his website gracehumphries.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.