ARTISTS
Nashville in the Rockies is all about celebrating and supporting local Utah artists. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we’re here to help our community grow through music. Below are the incredible artists who have shared their talent at our events.
Susie Brown
Founder & President
Country | Pop | Bluegrass
Alpine, Utah native Susie Brown is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has shared the stage with top country artists including Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Trisha Yearwood, Carrie Underwood & many others. As the lead singer of Warner Brothers’ duo The JaneDear Girls, her hit song “Wildflower” reached the Top 15 on the billboard country music charts and earned CMT and ACA nominations.
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Susie founded Nashville in the Rockies in 2025 to bring the spirit of Nashville home and support Utah’s emerging talent. After years of performing, touring, and recording in Nashville, she returned to Utah and discovered a vibrant community of local musicians who inspired her to create opportunities for artists to learn, connect, and grow.
The Last Wild Buffalo
Folk | Bluegrass | Punk
The Last Wild Buffalo is a soulful Americana band born in Utah, shaped in Alaska, and road tested across 17 states. Completely independent, they’ve played 116 shows in the past year, released their debut album and a surprise EP, and built a reputation for heartfelt, high energy performances that turn every crowd into a community.
Alivia Hadfield
Country | Pop
At twelve, Alivia’s brother handed her a ukulele and dared her to learn two songs. She’s been writing her own ever since—taking her from local gigs to recording in Nashville. She shares her country-pop journey on her blog, The Gel Pen, writing about music, relationships, and life behind the scenes.
Jake Hansen
Pop | Folk
Jake Hansen is a pop-folk singer-songwriter from Boise, Idaho—now based in Utah—currently working toward his first solo releases. With a voice that feels disarmingly honest and melodies that linger long after the last note, Jake writes songs rooted in vulnerability, faith, and human connection. His sound echoes the emotional clarity of JP Saxe, cinematic soul of Ben Abraham, sensitivity of Ryan Beatty, and anthemic warmth of Coldplay. Whether performing solo or collaborating on projects like the King will come, Jake’s music invites listeners into sacred, reflective moments—songs that feel like conversations you didn’t know you needed.
Kimberly Knighton
Pop | Singer-Songwriter
Kimberly is a singer/songwriter living in the Phoenix area. She has written, recorded and performed her own music in Nashville and Utah. She currently stays home with her two little kids and performs on the weekends at local resorts.
Cody Robbins
Country
Cody Robbins is a country artist and happily married father of four from Utah County, Utah. As a songwriter and recording artist he boasts an eclectic sound with a wide range and style. Unapologetically country it’s easy to detect the inspiration of George Strait, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, Brooks & Dunn and Garth Brooks. He loves to surprise live audiences with his “country fried covers” revealing a deep appreciation for artists outside of the genre. He puts a little rock in his country but also loves to show his soft and sentimental side with carefully crafted lyrics that pay homage to faith and family. Catch Cody live with his band!
Whitney Lusk
Country
Whitney Lusk, a Spanish Fork, Utah native, grew up on ’90s country and developed a love for singing and storytelling from an early age. Performing since 13, she’s known for her powerful vocals and energetic stage presence, opening for artists like Josh Turner, Ella Langley, and Russell Dickerson. She travels to Nashville to write with Hall of Fame songwriters, and her 2025 EP, Gamblin’ With My Heart, highlights her passion for uplifting, relatable country music. Whitney and her band bring a fun, positive energy to every stage they play.
Sammy Brue
Folk | Rock
Sammy is a Indie Artist from Ogden, Utah who first came on the radar of Rolling Stone Magazine at the age of 13. Recognized for his songwriting, Sammy started making waves in the Americana scene and was signed to New West Records. Rooted firmly in his folk style of writing, Sammy was named one of six teenagers changing music by the New Yorker Magazine. With music that ranges from Folk and Country, to Rock and Punk, he has defined himself as being a working musician and songwriter at his core.
Maddie Wilson
Country | Pop
Maddie Wilson is a Utah County-born and raised singer/songwriter. She’s been singing as long as she could talk. She started writing her own music at the age of 13. Her songs have earned her a place as a finalist in the USA Songwriting competition. Multiple of her songs and albums have charted on iTunes, Billboard, and Music Row’s Country Breakout Chart. She’s gained an online audience from posting music videos of original and cover songs, with over 500,000 followers across her social media pages.
Pat Swenson
Country
Pat was born and raised in Spanish Fork, Utah, and is a singer/songwriter and country recording artist based in his home state. Pat is a seasoned songwriter, and writes all of his own original material for his projects. pat has opened shows for, and shared the stage with country artists like Billy Dean, Darryl Worley, James Otto, Ty Herndon, Blackhawk and Thompson Square. His music is available on most digital media outlets.
Sage Mercedes
Pop | Punk
With over a decade of songwriting experience, Sage continues to grow as an artist, creating self-produced music and exploring new sounds, and always seeking new ways to connect through music and sharing stories.
Steven Halliday
Funk | Blues | Rock
Steven writes unique and original music with a fun-loving vibe that everyone can boogie to. Steven's niche is easy-listening funky-rock with a blend of many different genres, from jazz and blues, to good ole rock'n'roll. His songs are infused with uplifting lyrics and catchy melodies that are professionally polished for any type of venue or setting.
Riah Packer
Indie | Pop
Riah is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, and frontwoman of The Penny Candies. With a playfully audacious spirit, she turns everyday life into songs filled with nostalgia, whimsy, and honesty. As a mom and multi-faceted creative, Riah believes in chasing curiosity, creating in-spite-of, and leaving behind stories that feel familiar to the child within.
Cole Hartley
Country
Cole Hartley, a 26-year-old award-winning country singer-songwriter and four-time JMA nominee from Alpine, Utah, released his 2024 album Breaking Horses, which debuted at #39 on the iTunes Country Charts. He writes all his own songs and performs both solo and with a full band, appearing at venues like the MGM Grand’s Loser’s Bar and the Bluebird Cafe. Cole has shared the stage with artists including Lonestar, Diamond Rio, Brad Paisley, and Lee Brice—who told him, “You’ve got what it takes.”
Britney Holman
Indie | Pop | Folk
Britney is a Utah singer-songwriter crafting catchy indie/folk/pop songs you’ve probably already heard—on TV shows like House Hunters and Dr. Phil or while shopping at Old Navy, Nordstrom, and Victoria’s Secret. Her music has also been part of viral YouTube videos with over 30 million views. She keeps writing songs for fans and film/TV projects worldwide—because even if Taylor Swift gets married, someone’s still gotta supply the breakup anthems.
Gregg Hammer
Folk
Gregg’s storytelling and melodies remind audiences of 60s/70s singer-songwriters while still maintaining a contemporary sound. He has toured in over 50 countries and performed at The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Greek Theater, and Hollywood Bowl. Hammer has two projects currently in the works: a full-length solo album as well as a new original folk musical-comedy called “We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up” which recently premiered in Los Angeles.
Stomping Cactus
Bluegrass | Folk
Stomping Cactus is a Salt Lake City–based acoustic duo featuring Brielle and Isaac. After five years of performing together in various bands, they’ve combined their talents to create a unique sound rooted in traditional bluegrass and old-time folk music. With instruments like banjo, mandolin, guitar, and fiddle, along with country-style harmony vocals, their music offers a laid-back, nostalgic listening experience. Stomping Cactus has performed at numerous folk festivals across Europe as well as local festivals and venues throughout Utah.
Devin Barrus
Alternative Rock | Pop
Devin is a singer, songwriter, and producer best know for his work with the band Sunsleep. As an accomplished artist, he has amassed millions of streams across platforms and achieved a Billboard chart milestone, landing at No. 31 on the “Top New Artist Albums” chart with Moonlight Euphoria. His music has been featured on SiriusXM Octane and BBC Radio, earing acclaim for it’s dynamic blend of alternative rock and atmospheric production.
Ella Celaya
Folk | Bluegrass | Jazz | Soul
Ella is the female powerhouse behind The Last Wild Buffalo, delivering soulful vocals and ripping on the fiddle. The Last Wild Buffalo is a soulful Americana band born in Utah, shaped in Alaska, and road-tested across 17 states. Fully independent, they’ve played 116 shows in the past year, released their debut album and a surprise EP, and built a reputation for high-energy, heartfelt performances that turn every crowd into a community.
Austin Whitney
Country
A proud husband and father of two, Austin Whitney is a country artist shaped by the landscapes of both Utah and Texas. Blending traditional grit with a modern edge, his music reflects life, love, and the outdoors. Catch him performing with the Bryce Canyon Wranglers or at acoustic sets across Utah!
Alex Elggren
Country | Rock
Alex Elggren, 16, is a country music artist living in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Alex fronts his own five-piece country-rock band as well as performs solo events throughout the Wasatch Front and beyond. An accomplished guitarist, pianist. and singer, Alex is known for his smooth, soulful vocals. He has recorded and performed with some of the biggest names in Utah music, and has several popular original songs and covers on Spotify and other streaming platforms. He has traveled to China, Japan, and Switzerland for performance tours with One Voice Children’s Choir and was able to perform, “Humble & Kind,” at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, this summer.
Jackson Hartley
Country
Jackson Hartley is a 23-year-old from Utah with a deep passion for storytelling, whether through music or video. He invites others to join him on his journey as he chases a lifelong dream.
Dallin Major
Blues | Rock
Dallin is a singer-songwriter known for his distinct voice and soaring guitar solos. Over six years, he’s fronted the electric blues-rock band Chi Chi, brought whimsical harmonies to the folk group The Penny Candies, and now fronts his newest group Atlas Slave. He loves his family and works hard to strike a good work life balance. He loves every opportunity he gets to perform and has high hopes for his future in music!
Joseph Moore
Pop | Christian
Joseph is a singer-songwriter and recording artist from Littleton, Colorado. He has performed in several groups, including Hudson Lights and the gospel group Just PPL, who opened for Grammy-winning band Imagine Dragons. He is currently a member of the Billboard-charting Christian band the King will come, sharing the stage with artists like Jordan Smith, Madison Ryann Ward, and Emma Nissen. Their song “Yet” appeared on Maverick City Music’s Grammy-nominated album The Maverick Way, and their debut album Conversations With God, was released in July 2025. Joseph’s solo debut album, The Deep End, came out in 2021, and he is now writing for his next project.
