The Whitefish Theatre Company presents Emi Sunshine, a critically-acclaimed teen prodigy from East Tennessee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. The 14-year-old singer/songwriter is capturing the nation’s attention and enchanting hearts-a-many with her musical wizardry.
Described as the “spunky little sister to artists Iris DeMent, Natalie Maines, Nanci Griffith and Janis Joplin,” Emi is a true vocal stylist, adding her own unique, contemporary blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, bluegrass, gospel and country, with a sprinkle of the blues. Influenced by legends such as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash and The Grateful Dead, she is a throwback to earlier eras of country music with her striking voice and sassy stage presence.
Emi has already graced prestigious stages from The Today Show, to the Grand Ole Opry, to NBC’s “Little Big Shots” and has been called “one of 10 new country artists you need to know” by Rolling Stone magazine.
Emi Sunshine became a global sensation when a video of her singing at a Tennessee flea market in 2014 went viral. Since then, she has garnered more than 14 million YouTube views, produced three studio albums to critical acclaim, and performed on-stage with legends Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Amy Grant, Marty Stuart, Ronnie Milsap and others.
In addition to singing and crafting heartfelt songs, Emi plays a mean ukulele as well as the guitar. Her back-up band, known as The Rain, consists of her father, Randall Hamilton, on bass, brother John Hamilton on mandolin and uncle Bobby Hill on drums.
Emi Sunshine and The Rain have performed on stages and festivals around the globe, including the New Orleans Jazz Festival, the CMA Fest, and the Merle Fest. Emi and her band were also featured in the 2017 film “The King” alongside Roseanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, Ethan Hawke and Alec Baldwin that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where Emi performed.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students with reserved seating, and available at the Box Office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, or by calling 406-862-5371 during box-office hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.