News and Press
Briana Calhoun EPK
Artist, Songwriter, and Champion for the Underdog
Unique Sound and Story
Briana Calhoun's sound is one that can only be described as uniquely her own. Her past experiences make her present performances authentic, heart-felt, and pure gold. Her journey from addict, to inmate, teacher to songwriter, and now advocate for prison reform make her a TRUE artist. Her sound cannot be duplicated, or ignored.
Briana's music and story first caught the attention of Kix Brooks in 2020, while she was recording her 2nd EP in Nashville at the historically-famed Sound Kitchen Studio in Franklin, Tenn. When Brooks heard her story of tragedy to triumph - not only overcoming incarceration, but receiving her master's degree and becoming a licensed teacher in his home state of Louisiana - he decided to help get her heard.
When her documentary was released in 2021, Calhoun wasn't sure what to expect. "All I knew was I'd been given a second chance and I thought if my story could help one person, then it'd be worth putting out there" she said.
To her surprise, she was approached by national advocacy groups, and she now performs and shares her story in prisons in both Louisiana and Tennessee. She says her hope is to expand her reach to prisons across the country. "What's more Rock and Roll than playing in prisons?"
Since then she has collaborated with some of the most notable names in Nashville. Not to mention, written and produced her own biopic documentary to inspire others, along with the help of Brooks and acclaimed podcaster and motivational speaker, Daphne DeLoren.
Collabs & Cowrites
- Bob Dipiero - Award-winning songwriter with multiple #1 hits and numerous songs recorded by notable country artists.
- Chip Matthews - Producer of multiple award-winning albums, including the 2022 CMA Album of the Year "Growin' Up" by Luke Combs, and albums by Hank Williams, Jr., Dixie Chicks, and Joe Nichols.
- David Lee Murphy - Successful country music singer-songwriter with several hit singles and albums.
- Don Cook - Prolific songwriter and producer with multiple CMA and ACM awards, over 20 #1 songs, and Grammy awards for work with artists like Allison Krauss, Keith Whitley, Brooks and Dunn, and Tracy Lawrence.
- Greg Barnhill - Talented country music songwriter with numerous songs recorded by prominent artists.
- Josh Matheny - Skilled musician, two-time CMHOF "Spotlight Musician of the Year," performed with artists like Runaway June, Sam Hunt, and Ricky Skaggs.
- Kix Brooks - One-half of the successful duo Brooks and Dunn, host of American Country Countdown, known for multiple hit songs.
- Marv Green - Accomplished country music songwriter with multiple hit songs recorded by various artists.
- Rafe Van Hoy - Prolific songwriter with 10 #1 singles and over 200 cuts by notable artists like George Jones, Fleetwood Mac, Diana Ross, and Isaac Hayes.
- Terri Clark - Acclaimed country music singer-songwriter with several chart-topping singles and albums.
- Tim Nichols - Acclaimed country music songwriter with multiple hit songs recorded by various artists.
- Trey Bruce - Award-winning producer and songwriter, written over 10 #1 hits for Billboard, including "Spirit of a Boy," "Look Heart No Hands," and "How Your Love Makes Me Feel."
Currently...
Calhoun is currently working with Brooks, Cook, and Matthews to record new music, with the help of some of the best musicians in Nashville. On June 1, 2025, she'll be annoucing some big news around her songwriting career - she's thrilled to begin working in music full time after the school year!
Notable Shows & Events
- B Stage at Carolina Country Music Fest 2023 (June 8–11, 2023)
- B Stage at Carolina Country Music Fest 2024 (June 6–9, 2024)
- Barefoot Country Music Fest 2024 (June 20–23, 2024)
- Greenville, SC Country Music Fest 2023 (November 4, 2023)
- Opener for Kid Rock's "Rock the Country Festival" in Livingston, LA (April 4–5, 2025)
- Headliner at "Alpine Helen Songwriter's Festival" in Helen, GA (April 26–27, 2025)