Brittney Spencer featured in CMT’s “Next Women of Country” list

Despite only having released one EP to date as a solo artist, Compassion (2020), and remaining an independent artist (for now), MTSU alumna Brittney Spencer is making a name for herself in country music.

CMT recently named Spencer to its annual “Next Women of Country” list, which has predicted the rise of country stars like Kacey Musgraves and Mickey Guyton. Earlier this year, she performed with the hip-hop band the Roots at its pre-Grammy Jam Session. In May, she made her first network television appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live singing with Brandi Carlisle and Alison Russell, as well as made her stage debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Her new video “Sober & Skinny” just premiered in Times Square in New York, and this Fall, she will open for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

Spencer, a Baltimore native-turned-Nashville resident, is featured on the cover of the first issue M&E, a magazine that spotlights MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment(available August 2021). In the article “Breaking Ground: MTSU alumna and rising country star Brittney Spencer hopes to expand country music’s fan base”, she talks about taking songwriting workshops during the day and busking in Printer’s Alley in the evenings.

“I can’t think of any more organic way to connect with people than playing the street,” she says. “I had only recently learned to play guitar [by watching how-to videos on YouTube], and a friend suggested I play downtown. Busking makes me feel connected to people – myself included.”

Beverly Keel, dean of MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, has known Spencer since she was a student. The two have kept in touch, and Keel was there to see her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

“She immediately impressed me with her talent, charisma, personality, and drive. I know great things are in store for her,” says Keel.

Spencer was among the artists featured in the New York Times article on “Black, Female, and Carving Out their Own Path in Country Music”. To read the article, click here.