Get to know 2022 Country Album of the Year nominee, Tenille Arts in our “7 Questions With” series where we speak with first-time JUNO Award nominees from all genres.
Tenille Arts’ latest album Girl To Girl hits October 22, 2021 and follows her critically-acclaimed Love, Heartbreak, & Everything In Between, which yielded her first #1 single “Somebody Like That.” “Back Then, Right Now” from Girl To Girl is her single released simultaneously in the U.S. and Canada. Her 2016 self-titled debut EP peaked at #1 on the iTunes Canada Top Country Album Chart and cracked the Top 100 on the U.S. iTunes Country Album Chart. In 2019, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut, followed by a 2020 appearance at the Ryman Auditorium.
“Somebody Like That” spent three weeks at #1 on the Radio Disney Country Top 50 chart, was the #1 most added single the week it impacted Country radio and made history as the first #1 Country single written, produced and performed by all females. In 2021, she received her first U.S. award nomination for the 2021 ACM New Female Artist of the Year and was included in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2021. She recently wrapped up touring with Lady A on their What A Song Can Do Tour.
1. How did it feel to be nominated for a JUNO?
I am SO excited. I have watched the Junos for years, so to be nominated is a dream come true. It feels like the whole music industry is putting its arms around you and celebrating the art that you made. It’s very special.
2. Who are your biggest musical influences?
My biggest musical influences are The Chicks and Shania Twain. The common thread between them is the vulnerable songwriting, and to me that’s what makes country music so special.
3. What are 3 items you require when you’re on-tour?
A full length mirror, tons of water, and a quiet space to be alone before I go on stage
4. What do you think is the best song you’ve ever released? What’s the story behind it?
I think the best song I have ever released is “Somebody Like That”. It’s a hopeful song about looking for love and not settling until you find something really great. I wrote it with two women, Alex Kline and Allison Veltz Cruz, and it changed our lives when it went to #1 at US Country radio. It was written, recorded and produced by all women so we made history as the first ever all female team to go #1 and Alex became the first ever solo female producer to have a #1. It was so special and I truly hope it inspires other women to keep going!
5. Which artist(s) would you like to collaborate with most?
I would love to collaborate with Maren Morris, LeAnn Rimes, or Keith Urban!
6. What has been your favorite performance of your career?
My favorite performance so far was my Grand Ole Opry debut in 2019. My entire family came to Nashville to celebrate with me and be there and it was a dream come true moment for all of us.
7. What’s next for you?
Tons of shows! I’m so excited to be out on the road sharing live music with people again.
Tickets for The 2022 JUNO Awards are on sale now! Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of Canadian music hosted by Simu Liu on May 15th.
