Whatever your definition of “Americana” is as a genre of music — and there are eleven for every ten people you talk to about the matter — there is no doubt that the term is appropriate when describing the journey of young troubadour Stella Prince. It’s hard to think of anything more American in its most romantic and idealistic sense than a young girl in Woodstock, New York, sitting in her bedroom that’s filled with posters of her heroines like Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, Patsy Cline, and Karen Carpenter (Stella’s favorite), dreaming of emulating those legends, and then moving with her parents to Nashville to pursue that dream.
And how is Stella’s American story going? Pretty good.
Prince has steadily turned her dream into a reality through unparalleled determination and hard work. Taking her role as a torchbearer for what she considers “Gen Z Folk,” she’s been booking her own shows – tours around the US and Europe – since she decided this was her calling at the weathered age of fourteen. She controls every aspect of her music career with a hand-selected team and the steadfast support of her parents. “I’m very lucky that my parents are both creative and understand what it means to find meaning and purpose in my music. They get that this is what I’m meant to do.”
Even though she just turned twenty years old, and even though she only arrived in Nashville around a year and a half ago, Prince has made herself available to other young female songwriters as a mentor, and she tells them all:
“Nothing is as important as hard work.”
It also doesn’t hurt that she has a hauntingly beautiful voice and a near-virtuosic instinct for lyrics and melodies. That natural talent, drive, and perspective have gained her critical acclaim, and she’s achieved significant milestones for a performer of any vintage. There are too many to list within this article, but selling out a recent European tour, having a number one single on the Folk charts, being the youngest ever performer at Tin Pan South, and headlining France’s Bluegrass in La Roche Music Festival (as the first solo performer to do so) are just a few of the highlights of her young music career so far.
Stella is not confused about her goals in music. “I want millions of people to hear my songs, and I want to make a real connection with as many of those people as I can.” But for her, this is not about vanity; it’s about an opportunity to connect and inspire, especially young females like herself.
That honest and admirable objective is why she has been championed by so many around her new home, especially organizations like Change the Conversation, an advocacy organization based in Nashville. CTC is focused on increasing exposure and opportunities for women and girls in the music industry. Initiatives like EqualPlay, which extracted pledges from broadcasters to strive for 50/50 Male/Female airplay, and events like ones that Stella herself has hosted here in Nashville, are all part of the overall mission of Change the Conversation. As CTC co-founder Tracy Gershon says, “Anytime women work together and support each other it serves the Change the Conversation mission.”
Stella connected with Change the Conversation long before relocating to Nashville. As Gershon recounts, “I first met Stella when she was 14, through a Zoom call, and in 20 minutes I knew I was talking to a special up and coming artist- I told her about change the conversation and like everything else Stella does, she jumped right in with both feet and started curating events with our blessing.” This relationship has grown, and Stella has positioned herself as an influential figure supporting gender equality and female empowerment in the music scene from here in Nashville.
Accordingly, on Tuesday September 17 – just as AmericanaFest begins, Change the Conversation is presenting Stella Prince & Friends: The Power of Women in Music in the City Winery Lounge. The event will be a hybrid of a showcase and networking event, featuring performances by Prince and other emerging female artists, including Bonner Black, Caroline Carlile (Brandi’s niece), Gina Venier and Twinnie. In addition to those performances, female music industry leaders from Black Opry, Anchor Publicity, Thirty Tigers and more will be in attendance and hosting discussions. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. at The Lounge in City Winery. The event is free and open to anyone.
Another of the co-founders of Change the Conversation, Leslie Fram, says about Stella and this event: “Once again, Stella is paying it forward and showcasing women in music. It’s important to support new voices and she is one of the biggest proponents of this. I can’t say enough about her talent and tenacity! She is helping the next generation of folk artists as well!”
On her current trajectory, one day a little girl will no doubt be dreaming of reaching others the way Stella Prince’s music has touched her.
Change the Conversation Presents: Stella Prince & Friends – The Power of Women in Music
The Lounge at City Winery
5 p.m., Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Musical performances by Stella Prince, Bonner Black, Twinnie, Caroline Carlile, and Gina Venier
Industry discussions by Thirty Tigers, Black Oak Artists, Black Opry, Prescription Songs, and more
