Lauren Watkins at the Raccoon Motel -- July 21.
Sunday, July 21, 6 p.m.
Raccoon Motel, 315 East Second Street, Davenport IA
With her just-released recording The Heartbroken Record lauded by Holler Country as an " an exciting display" from an artist whose voice "is already informed by a seasoned wit and sharp wisdom," country singer/songwriter Lauren Watkins headlines a July 21 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, her studio-album also praised by Entertainment Focus as "a masterclass in country heartache, blending introspective lyrics with infectious melodies."
A native of Nashville, Watkins, as stated at AllMusic.com, "sang and played in local honky tonks as a teenager, though it wasn't until her college years at University of Mississippi that she began to focus on songwriting. She returned to Nashville with a clutch of songs inspired by forebears like Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert and managed to land label and publishing deals with Big Loud and Songs & Daughters, respectively. Delivered in her smooth husky voice, songs like 'Anybody but You' and 'Shirley Temple' blended playful barroom imagery with heartache and twang, both appearing on her 2023 debut EP Introducing: Lauren Watkins. Later that same year, Watkins followed up with a second EP, Introducing: The Heartbreak."
The artist's own Web site, LaurenWatkinsMusic.com, continues: "Honing in on a sound that’s both reverent of the genre’s roots and in lockstep with where it's headed next, she introduced her take on country music with 17-track, full-length debut The Heartbroken Record," which debuted this past June and boasts the contributions of guest vocalists Sheryl Crow, Jake Worthington, and Ashley Monroe. "Watkins is touring fairs and festivals all summer before opening stadiums for Morgan Wallen internationally, theaters for Maddie & Tae, and dance halls for Corey Kent this fall. She’s previously toured with ERNEST, Conner Smith, Jameson Rodgers, Austin Snell, and Lily Rose."
Lauren Watkins plays her Davenport engagement on July 21 with an additional set by Emily How, admission to the 6 p.m. concert is $15.88, and tickets are available by visiting TheRaccoonMotel.com.
