ROBBY KLEIN
Tanner Adell’s name might be relatively new to the music industry, but her talent proceeds her.
It’s hard to believe she released her very first single just three years ago, having made such a splash already and rising through the ones-to-watch ranks at lightning speed. Not only has her rapidly growing fanbase taken notice, but some of the biggest names in the business have as well.
In 2023, Adell found viral success with her breakthrough track “Buckle Bunny,” and she hasn’t looked back since. This year marked the first collab and feature of her career, which just so happened to be on “BLACKBIIRD” from Beyoncé’s acclaimed album, Cowboy Carter. And just this summer, her song “Too Easy” was featured in the blockbuster movie Twisters. With that, she’s constantly striving for more — on the road touring, creating new music, and proving that her star power is being noticed for good reason.
As you’ll see from our interview with the songstress, not only is she stunning, but Adell’s incredible work ethic, integrity, and commitment to staying true to herself make her beautiful inside and out.
Nashville Lifestyles: What first sparked your passion for music and when did you realize you could turn that passion into a career?
Tanner Adell: I’ve always loved music ever since I was a kid, but I realized I could really make it into a career my freshman year of college. I had a voice teacher that trained me out of stage fright, and I started performing live and realized how much I loved that part. Going on tours and being on stage became my goals.
NL: Why did you decide to make the move to Nashville in 2021 and what was that experience like?
TA: I sold everything I had to be able to move to Nashville, and I probably only had a couple hundred bucks to be able to move. I was pretty much broke. I moved into low-income housing in downtown Nashville, and my lights were turned off, my water was cold multiple times, eviction notice, and I just tried my best to be as presentable on the outside so that people had no idea what was going on. It was a really tough time, but definitely a big part of what has gotten me here. I just made my way in with songwriters and started writing around town, and people could tell that what I was doing was really unique and different, and it wasn’t hard for me to get into rooms after that.
NL: What inspires you the most when making music?
TA: My own life. Really everything I write has to come from somewhere; it’s hard for me to just make up things like that. So, my inspiration really just comes from my life.
NL: It’s crazy what a big year you’ve had and how much work you’ve put into this business in such a short amount of time. What has it been like getting thrown into the spotlight and being recognized for all your hard work?
TA: I’ve literally only been doing this for three years. I’m brand new to the music industry, period. My first single was “Country Girl Commandments,” and that was the end of summer going into fall in 2021. I am such a baby in this industry. But it definitely has felt like the cards have just kind of lined up, and I’ve worked really hard – out of my closet, out my bedroom, making and writing songs to internet beats.
NL: You’ve described your signature sound as “glam country.” How do you define that?
TA: Glam country is such an interesting term; I think one of my biggest inspirations is Dolly Parton. I absolutely love how fearless she is when it comes to, “You can’t tell me what to do or tell me who I am. I’m gonna do whatever I want.” Now, she’s a staple and an icon in every American home, but back then, she was getting called all sorts of names and did not care one bit. To me, if I built a glam country shrine, she would be at the top of it, and she is who I would be praying to.
NL: You have such an undeniable energy on stage. What makes you feel the most confident?
TA: My presence on stage has been something that I’ve been working on for years. Like I said, I had major, major stage fright, and I only became comfortable onstage by practicing a lot. I learned all the technicalities; I’m technically vocally trained. It was when I became so confident in my vocal ability that the rest kind of followed, and I never went back after that.
NL: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
TA: There are a lot of things, but oh my gosh, no pun intended, I’m kind of the Energizer bunny. I’m the Energizer Buckle Bunny. I think I’m most proud of my ability to bounce back and be resilient and to keep going. I think that's something that – especially for younger people who read this – you can get anything you want in life. It doesn't even come down to how talented you are or anything like that. What does matter is the work you're willing to put into it. That's something I think I'm most proud of over the last couple of years: how hard I've been working, and I have not stopped. That's what it takes. You’ve just got to work harder than everybody else.
NL: What is your definition of beauty?
TA: There's a lot there. There are so many different definitions of beauty and what society views as beautiful versus what you can personally believe is beautiful. When I look outside and I see a full, green forest, that's beauty to me. It's something that emotes a certain feeling of calmness, or peace, or happiness. So maybe that can apply to people as well. I think a beautiful person is someone who makes other people feel calm and happy, or special. That's beauty.
Special thanks to Grogan Jewelers by Lon for bringing some extra sparkle to our shoot! Tanner Adell is wearing: 14 karat white gold 12.99 carat black diamond cushion cut ring with a diamond halo weighing 1.06 carat; Platinum 3.29 carat round brilliant cut diamond eternity band by Norman Silverman; Radiant Hoop Huggies 18 karat white gold 4.07 carat radiant cut diamond hoop earrings by Norman Silverman; 14 karat white gold 3.85 carat lab grown diamond mixed shape fashion band; 18 karat white gold 3.52 carat half bezel set radiant cut diamond eternity band; 18 karat white gold 8.81 carat mixed shape diamond tennis bracelet; Platinum 5.60 carat diamond twisted inside out hoop earrings by JB Star; 18 karat white gold 6.30 carat oval cut Ethiopian opals & 1.33 carat diamond drop earrings; 18 karat white gold 23.90 carat emerald cut diamond lariat necklace by Norman Silverman.