Willow Avalon: Possum pals, Southern storytelling, and daring to be different

Singer songwriter and Southern belle, Willow Avalon, has lived so much life in her 27 years, and in this episode, she shares her incredible journey from being a teenage runaway living dangerously in Atlanta, to preparing for her biggest headline show to date - all thanks to a billboard in L.A. that she blagged, a brownstone apartment she should never have been able to rent in New York City, and a pet possum named Bowie that became her best friend! Willow is from a tiny town in Georgia, where country music didn’t just reflect a way of life but was also a way of dealing with life, and she talks about growing up around strong musical influences - in her own family, and beyond - and the gritty southern storytelling that has always inspired her. Willow’s voice also sets her apart, and on her latest album - Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell - it really shines in all its individuality! Couple that with her mesmerising live performances, and her whip-smart lyrics - that have you cracking up with laughter or creaking with heartbreak - and you’ve got a real star on the rise. But here, Willow opens up about how it hasn’t always been easy being different, how her first record label wanted to mould her into something she wasn’t, and how music was never about fame or fortune for her but purely survival. SUBSCRIBE to this channel so you don’t miss any of the amazing Country artists we’ve got coming up in the next few weeks - and share this video with anyone else who loves them a bit of Country music. Check out every song mentioned in this - and every - episode of Country Roads, by listening to our specially curated playlist. Search Country Roads Podcast Playlist on Spotify, and be sure to save it so it’s always there whenever you need it!