We caught up with Wide Open Country's 2025 Song Contest First and Second Place category winners to learn about the inspiration behind their songs.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Alt Country 1st Place
"Tequila Knows Me" by Shawnee Kish
"'Tequila Knows Me' was inspired by the moments when life feels heavy, but connection, laughter, and honesty break through anyway. On the surface, the song captures the energy of a girls' night out and the carefree spirit that comes with it. Beneath that, it explores something more universal: the search for self-acceptance and relief from overthinking, loneliness, and the pressure to have everything figured out. The idea behind 'Tequila knows me better than I know myself' isn't about glorifying alcohol—it's about those fleeting moments when walls come down and you feel most like yourself. The song uses tequila as a metaphor for truth, release, and the courage to be fully seen, even if only for a moment. That contrast between joy and vulnerability is where the song lives, and where its honesty comes from."
Shawnee Kish is an award-winning Canadian country artist known for her powerful voice, emotionally honest songwriting, and genre-blending sound rooted in country, rock, and folk. A proud Indigenous artist from Alberta, she has earned multiple national award nominations, including three JUNO Award nominations, and has released critically praised projects such as Pray For Me and Chapter 1. Her music has received national radio airplay, major editorial playlist support, and sync placements in film and television, while her live performances have taken her to festivals, concert halls, and national stages across Canada. With songs that balance grit, vulnerability, and storytelling, Shawnee Kish continues to establish herself as a distinctive and compelling voice in Canadian country music.
Alt Country 2nd Place
"Heaven's Eyes" by Chris Boldt
"'Heaven's Eyes' came from a place of quiet reflection after a time of loud heartbreak. It was the perfect fit for the contest because it captures the heart of country storytelling: honest emotion, simple but powerful lyrics, and a message that listeners from all walks of life can connect with."
Chris Boldt is an Irish-born singer-songwriter from Belfast who has quickly made a name for himself in the alt country/folk music world with his heartfelt songwriting and self-taught musicianship. After moving to Bozeman, Montana, to pursue music full-time, he broke out with his debut single "Heaven's Eyes," co-written with Brian Houston, which has amassed millions of streams across platforms and become a defining song in his catalog. Since then, he has released a string of singles including "Made For More," "Dreams," "Me and Mine," and "Me Myself and I" that showcase his blend of country, folk, and introspective storytelling.
Bluegrass 1st Place
"Northern Lives" by Richard Christow
"The inspiration behind 'Northern Lives' was something that not many people in this new generation have noticed or have experienced yet, and that's the beautiful land that we all share and live on. I've always believed that everyone should go out and explore while you can. Natural beauty of this land is all around us, and a lot of people don't realize the benefits of exploration. This song was my top pick for this contest because it creates an image of how therapeutic and beautiful this world can be. It's where you make core memories, find love, and make new connections, because I believe those are the greatest points to a happy life!"
Born in a big city, raised the small town of 100 Mile House BC, Canada, Richard Christow grew up with a very musical family. With encouragement to chase after his dreams, pursue his musical career, and lessons from past experiences, Christow has been able to connect with people though a few releases such as: "Make Me Wanna," "Run From Me," "Dance In The Rain," and "Lies." Christow's biggest accomplishments are being able to reach out to people through his music, and make all of the special connections with great people throughout life so far.
Bluegrass 2nd Place
"Fork & Spoon" by Emily McLoud
"'Fork and Spoon' came from thinking about how some things in the world just seem to go together, and how disorienting it can be when one of them is suddenly gone. Inspired by natural pairings like bacon and eggs and peaches and cream, I wanted to use simple, everyday imagery to explore the quiet heartbreak of loss. It felt like the right fit for this contest because it reflects what I believe is the heart of bluegrass and country songwriting: plainspoken language, emotional honesty, and a story that leaves room for listeners to find their own meaning inside it."
Emily McLoud is an Austin-based folk, country, and Americana songwriter whose work blends lyrical precision with deep emotional insight, shaped by her parallel career as a palliative care and hospice nurse practitioner. Classically trained as a violinist, she spent years playing in bands and collaborative projects before emerging as a solo songwriter, releasing her first EP in 2022 after a decade-long hiatus devoted to family.
Across her career, she has shared the stage with acclaimed acts such as Mandolin Orange (now Watchhouse), and has built a body of work rooted in acoustic, country, and bluegrass traditions. Her forthcoming full-length album, Where I Am Today, produced by Texas icon Darden Smith, marks a major creative milestone, capturing a year of transition through songs that explore parenthood, grief, anxiety, and acceptance. Her songs do not demand attention through volume; they earn it through honesty, offering listeners something rare: music that feels like both a mirror and a hand on the shoulder.
Hip-Hop Country 1st Place
"Raise it to the Morning Light" by The Olson Bros Band
The Olson Bros Band is cementing their legacy as one of the most prolific songwriting duos in modern country. Hailing from Olympia, Washington, brothers Luke and Isaac Olson have spent over a decade captivating audiences with their signature tight harmonies and high-energy performances. The brothers have evolved from local favorites to a national powerhouse with eight studio albums and millions of streams. The Olson Bros Band is equally at home on the big stage, having shared the spotlight with country legends such as Dwight Yoakam, Craig Morgan, Eddie Montgomery, Lonestar, Eli Young Band, and Dylan Scott. Their sound—a seamless blend of modern country with rock and pop sensibilities—allows them to bridge the gap between anthemic party songs and raw, heartfelt storytelling.
Hip-Hop Country 2nd Place
"LONE COWBOY" by K-RU$H
Modern Country 1st Place
"John Wayne in a Prom Dress" by Eryn Michel
Eryn Michel's songwriting walks the tightrope between real-life mess and wild imaginings—like her life, you'll never be quite sure whether she's singing truth, fiction, or a generous splash of both, drawn from a résumé that almost sounds made up: convoy gunner in Iraq, staffer in the Obama White House, phlebotomist, janitor, wedding planner, voice actor, and private security for a king's granddaughter.
Modern Country 2nd Place
"Ain't That Guy" by Joey Falcone
"I wrote 'Ain't That Guy' with Cooper Carr. The idea came from that honest tension of falling fast for someone who's perfect for you on paper—while knowing you're not ready for the life they want. We centered the song around the 'front porch swing life' image: the settle-down dream that feels amazing... until the truth hits."
Joey Falcone is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and Broadway performer whose music blends modern country storytelling with a live-band edge. As frontman of Rockin' Horse, he performs regularly on Broadway while continuing to release original music, including "Brother War," "Young Blood," and "Blacktop Sunrise."
Traditional Country 1st Place
"Long Gone Train" by Jesse Lovelock
"I wrote this song while sitting on top of my brothers camper in Golden Valley, Arizona. I'd watch the trains roll past, stretching a mile or more, while my brother nodded off beside me. That moment became the song. It felt like the perfect fit because it was a chance to put the music in front of a large audience and let it stand on its own. As an independent artist without industry backing, opportunities like this matter. The only thing I have to rely on is the strength of the music itself."
In the past five months, Jesse Lovelock independently released and self-produced his debut album with no manager, publisher, marketing team, or label support, and organically grew to 30.5K monthly listeners on Spotify. During this same period, Lovelock's album received widespread critical acclaim: Saving Country Music named it a Most Essential Album (8.3/10), KEXP's Greg Vandy listed it among his Top Albums of 2025, Country Music People Magazine awarded it 5/5 stars, Country Universe gave it 4.5/5 stars, and Sens Critique rated it 7/10.
Traditional Country 2nd Place
"Two Story House" by Brad Hunnings
Based in North Carolina, Brad has always had a passion for country music, especially the storytelling from legends like George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, and Tracy Lawrence. From the moment he picked up a guitar at East Carolina University, he's been hooked on crafting lyrics that resonate and evoke emotion. Co-writing with talented artists and writers is where the magic happens, and he loves that collaborative energy!
