Jennifer Alvarado is an international recording artist from Vale, North Carolina, who has amassed over 1 million streams on Spotify alone. Her music has a country sensibility with a pop current running through it. Her sound is a mixture of country, pop and blues and reflecst an eclectic blend of influences.
Her first EP project titled ''Playing with Fire'' was released in April 2021, followed by a country pop EP titled “Songbird: Part One” in July 2022. “Songbird” is a two part collection of songs that shows Jennifer’s growth as a writer and is sonically much different than her earlier projects. “Catfish,” the first single off the “Songbird: Part Two” EP, was released in early 2023 and won a World Songwriting Award for "Best Modern Country Song."
Jennifer has been recognized locally for her songwriting and was named ''One to Watch'' by the Nashville Songwriters Association in Spring 2021 and Spring 2022. She was named the “2021 Country Artist of the Year” by Indie Star Radio. Her song “Curious” won "Best Pop Song" for the Indie Songwriting Awards in Winter 2022 and her song “Rock This Way” was named “Best Pop Song” and “Best Overall Song” by the Indie Songwriting Awards in Spring 2022. Jennifer's duet, “Starz Collide,” with Canadian band The Whythouse, was named “Best Duet” for the Summer 2022 Indie Songwriting Awards. She was a finalist for five International Singer Songwriter Awards, a Josie Music Award for "Female Music Video of the Year," and a Carolina Music Award for "Country Female Vocalist of the Year" in 2022.
Jennifer recently received a Songwriter Achievement Award andthree Rampage Music Awards for "Best Pop Vocal Performance," "Album of the Year" and "Single of the Year." She is currently nominated for seven International Singer Songwriter Awards, including “Entertainer of the Year,” as well as several Josie Music Awards, including “Female Rising Star,” "Female Songwriter of the Year," "USA Entertainer of the Year" and more.
For more information, visit www.jenniferalvarado.com and follow Jennifer on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Spotify.
Jennifer Alvarado's Top Six
What makes Nashville special to you? I started visiting Nashville at eleven years old. It has always felt like home or at least the home of dreamers. Nashville has always represented anything is possible to me. How would you say your hometown of Vale differs from Nashville? I mean Vale has one blinking stop sign for starters…everyone knows everyone in Vale, so a lot of times your past is who you are. Nashville allows you to blend in and honestly rediscover yourself. The other major difference is the music community. Because Vale and Hickory are so much smaller, people feel limited in what they are able to do as a musician. There is a lot of competition and people claiming territory where I have found a lot more community in Nashville, especially among songwriters. Say you had a completely free day in Nashville—no work allowed. What would you be doing? Funny thing…my last “free” day…I actually went and visited the shops around Nashville Palace because I wasn’t familiar with them. There was a really neat vintage shop and I spent an hour at The Catio Cat Lounge to play with the kittens and cats available for adoption. What are some of your favorite Nashville restaurants? Okay, not a restaurant but my first stop when I get to town is always Five Daughters Doughnuts. It’s a must. I would also suggest checking out Puckett’s Downtown. Is there a place you haven't ate you have been dying to go? Yes! I keep wanting to go to Biscuit Love…I know it’s a chain, but I want to go. If someone is coming to Nashville for the first time, where do you take them? Depending on the day, I am taking them to at least one writer’s round.I also will take them by Bobby Idle’s Tavern, because it feels like music history in that place.I love Opryland Hotel and the gardens, so possibly there…but given a choice…I would choose Two Rivers Mansion.I used to go to fan club parties there and absolutely adore that place.I also would take them to Printers Alley.It’s one of my favorite spots.
One Thing About Nashville
How has Nashville influenced your music? Nashville makes you work harder.It is full of big fish and you either keep swimming and growing or you go back home.There isn’t time for egos and honestly it can hurt you.I learn something from every single person I meet….even if it’s how I don’t want to act.I love learning and so it makes me never settle with “good enough.”
Five Favorites
What’s your favorite place for breakfast in Nashville? Five Daughters Doughnuts is my treat and go-to. Honestly, I’m usually rushing to get somewhere in the mornings, so if I slow down I’m getting a doughnut. Do you have a favorite music venue? I love The Bowery Vault. Looking at it from the outside you are a little caught off guard, but the sound and the community you find inside is worth the trip. Go check it out one Thursday for their Open Mic.
Favorite museum? Country Music Hall of Fame Best place to grab a beer? The Up-Down Nashville….you can play all types of games or go on a night that they are having music on the roof. Best Broadway bar? If you are new to Nashville, at least stop by Tootsies because it is iconic. I think Rippy’s Honk Tonk is probably my favorite…mostly because I have several friends that play there:) I would also check out Big Jimmy’s on Second (so only slightly off Broadway) and Teddy’s Tavern (around the corner from Rippy’s).