Julie Williams: Country Music’s Next Trailblazer
Blending Cultures and Sounds: Who Is Julie Williams?
Julie Williams is fearlessly redefining country music. A proud member of CMT’s Next Women of Country, Julie brings her mixed-race heritage and powerful voice to the heart of Nashville’s Americana and indie folk scene. Raised in Florida and rooted in both Black and Southern traditions, Julie writes and performs with honesty, heart, and purpose, creating a sound that’s every bit as multifaceted as her identity.
“My music is mixed like me,” Julie says. Her songs are a compelling blend of country storytelling, soulful vocals, and indie-folk production, carving out a space in country music that truly feels like home.
Early Influences and Musical Roots
Julie’s musical journey began in church choirs, beach bars, and sports stadiums where she belted national anthems before packed crowds. Growing up, her playlist spanned from The Chicks and James Taylor to Gladys Knight and Michael Jackson, a diverse soundtrack that shaped her as a genre-blending artist. But in country music, she didn’t hear stories that reflected who she was, so she began writing them herself.
From Duke to Music City: Julie Williams’ Nashville Debut
After graduating from Duke University with a degree in public policy, Julie moved to Nashville in 2019 and quickly became a rising voice in the city’s Black Americana and country scene. Named to Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country Class of 2021, she has since been featured on PBS NewsHour, NPR, and the Kelly Clarkson Show as part of the groundbreaking Black Opry collective.
Julie’s commitment to authentic storytelling and social impact earned her a spot as a CMT Equal Access Artist in 2023, further amplifying her voice as one of the genre’s most important emerging talents.
Breakthrough Single: “Southern Curls”
Julie’s breakout moment came with the release of “Southern Curls” in March 2021. A deeply personal anthem about growing up mixed-race in the South, the song resonated widely and inspired her fans to raise over $5,000 in a single week to fund its music video, produced by an all-Black creative team.
The track received coverage from Billboard, CMT, World of Country, and more, cementing Julie’s reputation as an artist who writes with emotional depth and cultural relevance.
Touring and Festival Appearances Across the Country
In the last two years alone, Julie has played over 120 shows in 26 states, including standout performances at:
- Newport Folk Festival
- CMA Fest
- AmericanaFest
- High Water Festival
- Tortuga Music Fest
- Cayamo Cruise
She has shared the stage with artists like Jason Isbell, Allison Russell, Mt. Joy, Devon Gilfillian, and Brittney Spencer, earning admiration for her intimate live shows and genre-crossing appeal.
Celebrated Releases: Julie Williams EP and Tennessee Moon
Julie’s self-titled debut EP, Julie Williams, released in June 2023, was praised by American Songwriter for showcasing her “success through the power of her own voice.” The Tennessean highlighted her emotional growth and storytelling clarity.
In October 2024, she followed up with her sophomore EP, Tennessee Moon, featured in Billboard, Nashville Scene, Entertainment Tonight, and The Bluegrass Situation. The EP was also selected by NPR’s Ann Powers as one of the best albums by a Nashville artist that year. In the same month, Julie was named Billboard’s Country Rookie of the Month.
Activism Through Art: Green Room Conversations
In 2023, Julie launched Green Room Conversations, a campus-based performance and speaking series addressing sexual harassment in the music industry. Inspired by her song “The Prince”, a candid exploration of her personal experience with sexual violence, the initiative seeks to empower young artists and foster industry accountability. The song’s video premiered on CMT and even received a Times Square billboard debut.
Universities including Duke, University of Texas-Austin, University of Mississippi, and MTSU have hosted Julie for these powerful events.
Recent Highlights: Dolly Parton, National Tour & New Single
In March 2025, Julie joined Dolly Parton on stage for a sold-out performance with the Nashville Symphony as part of Dolly Parton’s Threads, and she will continue touring nationally with the production this year.
On May 9th, 2025, she released her latest single, “The Women Who Made Me”, a heartfelt tribute to the women who’ve shaped her life. With every release, Julie reaffirms her position as a compelling storyteller, a community builder, and a powerful new voice in country music.
Julie Williams: A Defining Voice in Modern Country
Julie Williams is more than an emerging artist, she is a catalyst for change, a boundary-breaking storyteller, and a voice that country music has long needed. With her powerful blend of vulnerability, activism, and genre-defying sound, Julie is not just writing songs, she’s writing the future of country music.