Introducing Grace Spaulding

Word’s spreading about Proper Nang beyond the Austin city limits. Saturday, we have a guest that’s been making her name in Huntsville: Grace Spaulding. We’re pretty excited because Spaulding’s a country singer and much to our dismay, we haven’t had any country music yet.

She played her first live gig a couple of years ago in a pizza place in her hometown. This last year’s then been spent working on her first professional recordings. Spaulding says she feels supported by the Huntsville community.

That’s actually the first thing I asked her about. Like most around these parts probably, when I hear Huntsville, I think of the prison there. That might be perfect for a country artist given Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.”

“Nobody really talks about the prisons and I’m not influenced by them in any way,” Spaulding quickly points out. “There are so many amazing people here, but Huntsville’s a very small town. Sometimes, especially being in the music business, you wish you lived somewhere bigger.”

This year, Spaulding’s homeschooling so that she can keep her schedule flexible. She considers herself college bound as she envisions her future as a 13-year-old.

“I think I speak for everyone whenever I say the music business is hard. Especially being a female Texas Country artist,” ponders Spaulding. “And I’m not just some 13-year-old kid that likes the idea of playing music. This is what I want to do with my life. I’m a very laid back person, but when it comes to music, I do my best to push myself to be better and better.”

Her biggest thrill so far has been opening for Austin honky-tonker Bart Crow, whose next local gig is at Antone’s November 22. Spaulding calls him a role model, while also praising his hometown.

“It’s a privilege to play in Austin,” she enthuses. “I’m so excited. I absolutely love Austin.”

Spaulding kicks off Saturday at Maria’s Taco Xpress at 6pm, first act of the evening’s HAAM fundraiser. Also playing are Gypsy, my band the Painted Redstarts, Ariel Herrera, Zach Larson, Io and Lili Hickman, and Finley Sexton.