Michelle Billingsley is a torchbearer for classic country & western and honky-tonk that strikes a satisfying balance between vintage and modern. As a songwriter, Billingsley has fast developed a reputation for being unguarded, tackling subjects considered taboo for polite women in country music. Whether with a wink and a smile or a soft, disarming sincerity, she veils her dryly dark sense of humor in raucous acoustic strumming, and a whipsmart-assed vocal delivery.
American Songwriter has called Billingsley’s work “charming,” Wide Open Country praised her “storytelling chops” and Country Music People said she was “an important new voice” whose lyrics “have real depth.” She’s also drawn comparisons to Americana and alt-country icons Neko Case, Emmylou Harris, Townes Van Zandt & John Prine via Glide Magazine, Post to Wire and Folk Radio UK.
The Waymores:
“The husband and wife Atlanta-based duo Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise bring to mind a rebooted incarnation of Conway and Loretta, Porter and Dolly, and Johnny and June… sharing instead songs flush with aptitude and appeal… It’s an unapologetic approach that Waylon, Willie, and Johnny helped pioneer early on and would likely approve of even now.” – AMERICAN SONGWRITER
“Neal, Annalise and company just kick it into gear, get to the ever-loving point, and then ready themselves for the next song. Honky-tonk Americana, sure, but to these ears, it’s like The Waymores, across The Stone Sessions, are the honky-tonk Ramones or something.” A- grade – THE VINYL DISTRICT
“On…The Stone Sessions, the duo amp up their rootsy approach with nods to fellow traditionalists Johnny Cash, June Carter, John Prine and Iris DeMent…heartfelt ‘honky-tonk Americana’ music.” – ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
