April Spotlight of the Month: Hadlie Jo
- Louisiana Country Music
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
A rising country artist with Louisiana roots, building her path in Nashville. The following Spotlight includes responses directly from Hadlie Jo.
At just 18 years old, Hadlie Jo is already carving out a career shaped by both talent and focus.
Originally from Jena, Louisiana and raised in Texas, she has quickly found her footing in country music with a publishing deal at Sony Music Publishing and a major career moment. She co-wrote “Nothing Like They Used to Be” with Vince Gill and Sharon Vaughn, a song recently released by Gill himself. While those milestones speak to where she’s headed, they only begin to reflect how she’s gotten there.
Where It Started
At 12 years old, Hadlie Jo visited Nashville for the first time, a trip that helped define the direction her life would take.
Her goal was clear: to one day live and work in Nashville. From there, she began leaning more intentionally into music, developing her voice and exploring her sound.
Along the way, she also grew into a multi-instrumentalist, learning guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle.
Building the Foundation
As her interest in music deepened, Hadlie Jo continued to invest in her craft.
She graduated with honors from South Plains College with a degree in Commercial Music, focusing on voice. That time gave her both training and experience, helping refine how she approaches songwriting and performance today.
What stands out is not just how much she’s done, but the discipline behind it.
Stepping Into Nashville
In 2025, Hadlie Jo made the move to Nashville, a step she had been working toward since that first visit years earlier.
“I left my home in Texas the day after Christmas and it has been a wild goose chase ever since, but man oh man has it been fun!”
Now surrounded by the music and people she has long been drawn to, she’s continuing to write, collaborate, and grow.
“I’m extremely excited that I get to be surrounded by the music and people I love every day and learn so much from them.”
That environment is already influencing her next chapter.
Learning as She Goes
That transition has come with both opportunity and adjustment.
As her career continues to develop, Hadlie Jo is finding her footing in new opportunities while staying focused on growth.
“I have felt as if I’m not as little of a fish in this big pond now, even though I am still pinching myself because I’m in awe. I am learning every single day and have so much still to learn.”
There’s confidence building, but it remains grounded in knowing that there’s still more ahead.
Turning Challenges Into Purpose
Living with a chronic medical condition has been part of Hadlie Jo's journey, but it hasn’t limited what she’s willing to pursue.
“There was always a little bit of hesitance… about whether or not my body would be able to handle the hustle and bustle of things. Well, I took that as a challenge!”
That perspective continues to guide how she approaches both her career and her platform.
“I hope to inspire kids who have big dreams that it is ALWAYS POSSIBLE if you set your mind to it! And, the biggest part of it all, is to just be you.”
As her career grows, so does her desire to give back, with hopes of working with organizations like the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and Musicians On Call.
Hadlie Jo’s Service Dog, lucy
A constant through all of it has been Lucy, her medical alert dog, who has been by her side for the past six years.
For Hadlie Jo, Lucy provides both safety and consistency through the demands of her day-to-day life as an artist.
“She is truly my built in best friend. Lucy is my medical alert and guard dog who goes EVERYWHERE with me.”
It’s a relationship that supports not only her life, but her music as well.
“If I was a superhero, she would be the famous sidekick! … Plus, she’s the inspo for the majority of my songs!”
Music That Connects
At the center of everything is the music itself. Hadlie Jo writes with the goal of meeting listeners wherever they are, creating songs that reflect real moments and emotions.
That perspective shows up clearly in how she approaches her releases.
“I hope that new listeners go through a roller coaster of emotions. I strive to release music for any mood you’re in… whether you need to cry or belt to a song with the windows rolled down — I have ya covered!”
New Release: “Things”
Her latest release, “Things,” highlights Hadlie Jo’s songwriting, drawing from real experiences, including Texas floods and her first night in Nashville during a tornado.
The song reflects her ability to take moments that feel personal and turn them into something listeners can connect to, offering a closer look at her voice as both a writer and artist.
Why Hadlie Jo
At Louisiana Country Music, we’re drawn to artists who are not only talented, but fully committed to what they’re building.
Hadlie Jo stands out for that reason.
In a short amount of time, she’s shown a level of focus and maturity that’s rare at any stage, let alone this early in a career. From developing her musicianship to stepping into writing rooms and making the move to Nashville, she has approached each opportunity with real intention.
Her story also carries something deeper. The way she’s faced challenges, kept moving forward, and chosen to use her platform to encourage others reflects the kind of artist and person she is.
That combination of talent, drive, and perspective is what sets her apart. And it’s why we’re proud to share her story.
How to Support Hadlie Jo
Stream and share her latest release, “Things,” and explore her growing catalog
Follow her on social media to keep up with new music, writing sessions, and upcoming releases
Share her music with friends and introduce new listeners to her story
Follow Hadlie Jo
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This article is for informational and editorial purposes only. Details such as release dates, event information, and artist updates are subject to change. Featuring an artist does not imply any endorsement, partnership, representation, or business relationship unless explicitly stated. All trademarks, images, and music referenced remain the property of their respective owners.
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