Artist to Watch: Steel Magnolia

Many country fans rooted for their favorites on this past season of CMT’s Can You Duet?  The winning duo that achieved a shot at superstardom on that show consists of Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones, better known as Steel Magnolia.  The pair actually met back in 2006 in a karaoke bar located in Nashville’s famed Printer’s Alley, much like the plot of their debut music video.  That night, the two joined forces to perform Air Supply’s “I’m All Out of Love” and found not only musical magic, but a romantic partnership too.

Josh grew up in Illinois and soon found himself moving to Los Angeles where he played places like the Viper Room and The Knitting Factory.  Then, he decided to give Music City a go.  Josh met up with hit songwriters in town and was soon playing The Bluebird Café. 

Meanwhile, Meghan, who hails from New Orleans, started performing at an early age.  She found herself drawn to the sounds of great storytellers like Dolly Parton and to vocalists like Tanya Tucker, Bonnie Raitt and Whitney Houston.  As soon as she graduated from high school in 2004, Meghan packed up and headed straight to Nashville.

After becoming Can You Duet? champs, Steel Magnolia transferred that success into a solid debut effort with their current chart-climbing single “Keep On Lovin’ You.”  On the strength of that song, Meghan and Josh nabbed two Academy of Country Music nominations for Top New Vocal Duo and Top Vocal Duo.  This summer, Steel Magnolia is set to hit the road with Brad Paisley on his H20 tour.

Nikita Palmer for Citadel Digital © 2010

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