107.9 Nash Icon Host The Young Fables At Puckett's

  • Monday, February 6, 2017
  • Mark A. Herndon

107.9 Nash Icon presented The Young Fables on the Puckett's Chattanooga stage. The Young Fables, singers and songwriters Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford call Maryville, Tn. home.  

Laurel started singing at age four in and around East Tennessee churches. At age 10 she started playing the guitar and wrote her first song. Now, at the age of 17 Laurel has singlehandedly written more than 30 songs, of which several air on the nation's largest radio broadcast, country giant WIVK.FM.   She has also performed at numerous venues with such artists as Kix Brooks, Sara Evans, Leanne Rimes, The Band Perry, Josh Thompson, Frankie Ballard, James Wesley, Blaine Larson, Troy Olsen & Katie Armiger, to name a few. 

Laurel iss from Maryville Tennessee, a beautiful little city nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. "I started singing in church when I was just 3 years old," she said.  "At age 10, the loss of my great papaw inspired me to pick up my first guitar, and with mom's help, I wrote my first song. During my sophomore year of high school, I got really serious about my music. It quickly became apparent to me that I would need to devote hours per day to practice and writing. I wanted to focus more on my music, which led me to quit the high school basketball team and become homeschooled.

"At age 16, I was the youngest winner (a record that stands to this day) of the Texaco Country Showdown. That specific year, about 50,000 people nationwide entered the competition. Out of those 50,000, the top five would perform their original music on the Ryman Auditorium Stage. LeAnn Rimes hosted the event and I won the grand prize of $100,000.

"The day after I turned 19, I moved to Nashville. I worked as a restaurant hostess while pursuing my goal of earning a full-time music career. In less than a year, I was able to accomplish just that alongside guitarist Wesley Lunsford.

"I've been a semifinalist on American Idol Season 13 and 14 and in the final Season 15 I made it into the top 48. Wes and I have opened for some amazing artists; Sara Evans, Randy Houser, Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry, Joe Nichols and more.  

"Meeting Wes was a serious game-changer for me and my music career. When my former lead guitarist backed out of a gig at the last minute, my drummer said he knew 'a guy named Wes'. From the first moment I heard Wes play, I've never wanted another guitarist. He's not only one of the most talented people I've ever met, but also one of the most hardworking people I've ever worked with. Wes was my lead guitar player for about a year and a half before I moved to Nashville. Just before I moved, Wes told me he wanted to be part of anything and everything that he could be part of. We haven't played a show without each other in over a year, we write all of our songs together and he brings something completely unique to our songs."  

Wes was born in Tallassee, Tn. in East Tennessee.  "At age nine, mom made me take piano lessons for a year, which then led to a second year," said Wes.  "When I was 14, mom knew I wanted to learn guitar, so for Christmas she gave me my first guitar. Back then, I loved The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd... (I still love all of those). At age 15, I started a band and I was the lead vocal and lead guitar player. About four years later we were offered a deal, but we turned it down.

"Shortly after that, the band split and we went our separate ways. I studied music business for a year at MTSU, but decided that wasn't really what I wanted to do. In 2009 I earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee with a concentration in Studio Music and Jazz. During, and after college, I freelanced for various bands around the Eastern United States. I had the opportunity to play music in China for six months, seven days a week, with some of my closest friends. Oddly enough, while in China, I started listening to (and loving) country music. I was offered another contract to stay in China, but declined because I wanted to come back to play country music.

"After returning to the states, I played country music for a small label's various artists in East Tennessee. Some of the people I met during that time knew Laurel. It was a friend from that group who called me that night to fill in on guitar with Laurel.

"I come from a music loving family. I have very supportive parents, step-parents, brothers and grandparents. I've worked with a lot of musicians, but knew from the moment we started working and writing together, that Laurel and I had something very special." 

Today, The Young Fables are living out their passion, more than a dream….making it more of a reality with every performance.  This information and more by checking out The Young Fables on social media and their web page at http://www.theyoungfables.com

107.9 Nash Icon  tune in for All the music that made Country great.. and the best of today ! Tune in on FM 107.9 and also follow on Twitter and Instagram @1079nashicon.  Thanks “Dodger” at 107.9 Nash Icon for introducing The Young Fables to Chattanooga Live Music. 

Puckett’s host live music from their stage every Friday and Saturday night from 9 til 10:30, great dinner selection from the menu and amazing management and servers.  Their event calendar is posted and updated regularly at Puckett’s Music page. 

Chattanooga Live Music, Mark A Herndon, certified professional geologist and professional photographer grew up in Chattanooga area, graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga.  Supports/Promotes connecting people with Creative Arts, Music and Dance to the Chattanooga Live Music Scene by supporting local/regional creative artists, singers, songwriters, musicians, dancers, & bands.    Media affiliation www.chattanoogan.com    Check out more at www.facebook.com/chattanoogalivemusic    Email at; MAHerndon@ChattanoogaLiveMusic.com
 
 
 
 

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