Michelle Billingsley

“Billingsley has grabbed many an ear with her throwback honkytonk sound that combines shades of the modern and past- think Sierra Ferrell, Lucinda Williams, and Tammy Wynette. Alongside her introspectively outspoken lyrics and steel-driven sound, Billingsley evokes dusty neon light taverns where the draft beer is served cold and the locals still run the joint.”

— Glide Magazine

“*****
An important new voice has arrived.
”

— Country Music People Magazine, July 2020

“Biting wit...all in a tongue-in-cheek gently honky-tonkin’ spirit.”

— Americana UK

Michelle Billingsley has a reputation for being unguarded, tackling subjects considered taboo for polite women. With her June 2023 release of Both Sides Of Lonely, she has evolved beyond the folky troubadour of her lauded 2020 debut Not The Marrying Kind, becoming a torchbearer for classic country and western and honky-tonk that strikes a satisfying balance between vintage and modern.

Billingsley is a torchbearer for classic country & western and honky-tonk that strikes a satisfying balance between vintage and modern. As a songwriter, she 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.

Videos

Michelle Billingsley & band live at Ann Arbor Summer Festival 2022

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Both Sides of Lonely

by Michelle Billingsley

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.

With her new sophomore record, Both Sides of Lonely, Michelle Billingsley has evolved beyond the folky troubadour turns of her lauded 2020 debut Not the Marrying Kind, becoming a torchbearer for classic country & western and honky-tonk that strikes a satisfying balance between vintage and modern.