The Nash Next Challenge is down to its 10 finalists, and in the lead-up to the announcement of the champion on Oct. 25, NCD will be profiling each of the 10 finalists.
Today, we are getting to know finalist Spinn, which is a duo comprised of twin sisters Stephanie and Cheryl Lynn Spinner.
In July, Cumulus Media and Big Machine Label Group invited aspiring country artists and bands to participate in the Nash Next Challenge, an artist development competition where the winner will receive a recording contract with Big Machine Label Group and have an original song produced by Jay DeMarcus, which will garner national radio airplay on Cumulus Media radio stations across the U.S.
The winner of the Nash Next Challenge will be crowned on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Mercy Lounge in Nashville. The event, which will also feature a performance from Trent Harmon, is open to the public from 7–10 p.m.
Spinn
Members: Stephanie Spinner and Cheryl Lynn Spinner
Ages: 30
Twitter: @spinnmusic
Home City Market: New York City
How did you get started in music?
When we were tiny, tiny humans, we ran around the house singing constantly and our mom wanted us to learn to play an instrument to sing to, so she signed us up for piano lessons and we’ve been nonstop ever since.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
In sixth grade we filled out a “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and that’s sort of when we thought, “Hey, we could actually be singers and write songs if we want to!” We had some bumps and doubts along the way, but in college was when we solidified the dream.
Who are your musical influences?
Patty Griffin, Hillary Lindsey and Miranda Lambert as songwriters. Carrie Underwood, Stevie Nicks, Ellie Holcomb and Kenny Chesney as performers.
What three words describe Spinn?
Positive, driven, passionate.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
We sing country music with a city flare, and buckets and buckets of harmony.
What three albums would you take to a deserted island?
Miranda Lambert’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run and the Good Goo Dolls’ Dizzy Up the Girl.
What’s a song you wish you had written?
“Whiskey Lullaby,” the most emotional, heartbreaking, beautiful song ever written.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
The Beach Boys.
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
“Peter Pan” by Kelsea Ballerini.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?
In Austin, Texas, during South by Southwest on the side of the road outside of a trippy hippie van straight out of the ’70s.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
Shots!
What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?
Since winning the the New York City Nash Next semifinals in September, Nash FM 94.7 has been talking about us on the radio like crazy. We’ve gotten so many calls, texts, Facebook messages and tweets congratulating us. It’s been insane! We’ve even had one fan ask if we can sign his car radio because of it.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
“Me and Bobby McGee.”
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done onstage?
Man, we’re such clutzes. It’s hard to pick a TOP embarrassing moment, but let’s go with most frequent. We both close our eyes a lot when we sing difficult melodies or harmonies, and at least once a night we hit our faces on the microphones and its surprises and scares us.There’s always someone in the audience that catches it and we all laugh and make fun of ourselves for it.