Nashville: Jay Valor & Taylor Hughes

On this episode of Roger the Wild Child Show: Nashville edition, we are joined by country music artists, Taylor Hughes and Jay Valor!

TAYLOR HUGHES

Country artist and songwriter, Taylor Hughes, is not your typical  country artist. With southern rock and blues influences, she delivers a powerful, unique, and sassy sound that demands attention. Native of Lexington, Kentucky, she now resides in Nashville where she's made quite a name for herself. Award winning Gospel singer and vocal coach, Christy Sutherland, describes Hughes' voice as "rich chocolate cake with soul" along with being called "Country music's answer to Adele" in the Tennessee Star Magazine. 

     After releasing her debut single, “Good Taste,” in 2020, hitting iHeart Radio and multiple other stations, here sophomore single,“Prayin’ to the Whiskey,” got her the attention she truly deserved. She was nominated for “Emerging International Artist of the Year” in the UK followed by “Prayin’ to the Whiskey” being nominated for “International Song of the Year” in Ireland, making the final top 10. She closed out the year being in the final top 5 artists for the Southern Fellow’s “Artist of the Year” for the second year in a row.

     Her third single, “High On Something,” was released at the end of 2021 and it charted in the top 100 on the Texas Internet Radio Charts and continues to climb up daily. Along with this success, she was nominated in the 2022 Josie Music Awards for "Female Country Vocalist of the Year" and the "Fan's Choice" award. Hughes was making waves long before moving to music city though. She has been nominated in the Lexington Music Awards for best female vocalist, best country artist, best singer-songwriter, and song of the year; winning in 2016, 2018 and 2019. She has opened and shared the stage with artists such as Chase Rice, Riley Green, Uncle Kracker, Sam Riggs, Morgan Myles, Angaleena Presley (Pistol Annies), Striking Matches, Leah Turner, Alexandra Kay, Uncle Kracker, and more.

  2024 started off amazing for this incredible talent as well. Hughes was named the 2024 "Female Vocalist of the Year" along with her song "Jesus and Jail" winning "Song of the Year" in the 10th annual Lexi Music Awards in Kentucky. She received two nominations in the '24 Josie Music Awards which were held at the Grand Ole Opry and was awarded "Southern Rock/ Country Rock Female Vocalist of the Year."

JAY VALOR

Jay Valor is a country artist with a rock edge, whose commanding vocals and relatable lyrics captivate audiences everywhere. With a passion for songwriting, Valor skillfully intertwines poetic lyrics with melodic guitar riffs, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a world of heartfelt storytelling. As an artist, he continuously strives to push the boundaries and challenge the norms, creating an authentic and refreshing sound. With nearly two decades of singing experience and guitar skills, Valor has built a strong loyal dedicated following and has shared the stage with some of the most sought-after heavy hitters including Chris Young, Parmalee, and Alabama, while carving out his own spot in the country music scene.

Valor’s journey into music is as rare and unique as his sound. From pursuing MMA to discovering his passion for music in a high school theater production of “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” and a life-changing performance aboard a Carnival Cruise, Jay believes every step has been guided by serendipity and purpose. Drawing inspiration from a wide array of artists including The Beatles, Chris Stapleton, John Mayer, and Jason Isbell to name a few, Valor’s music resonates with listeners who seek raw emotion and truth, delivered with his signature blend of grit and grace. With a steadfast motto “I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees,” Jay Valor is destined to remind fans and performers why we all love and connect with countrv music.