Growing up spending summers in Sapphire Valley, country music singer Erica Nicole dreamed of making it to the proverbial “big time.” With the release of her first CD, “Erica Nicole,” she’s well on her way to doing just that. Nicole, the daughter of Eric and Betty Leathers of Bald Rock in Sapphire, grew up in Atlanta, Ga., but spent time in the summers in Sapphire Valley. She graduated from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee in 2004, and now lives in Los Angeles, Calif., pursuing her dream of being a country music sensation under the guidance of producer Michael Lloyd. “I’ve been in L.A. four years now,” said Nicole. “But this has always kind of been a second home. I actually used to work at the Subway here in Cashiers. I like L.A., but it’s definitely not home. “I’m traveling a lot and doing concerts,” said Nicole, who has been to Texas, California, Georgia, the South By Southwest festival, benefit concerts and much more. “I’ve been pretty busy. Now I’m going on a radio tour to promote the CD. It’s only been out a little over a month. I love it. I’m really, really pleased with it. “I’m blessed that some of the best musicians in Nashville came out to work on it,” said Nicole. “The album is great.” The album includes a remake of the popular Dirty Dancing soundtrack song, “Hungry Eyes.” Track number two on her album, “Somebody Like Me,” has already been in two movie soundtracks, “Too Late To Say Goodbye,” and “Small Town Saturday Night.” Describing the album, Nicole said, “It’s a fresh breath of country air. It’s country, but it’s not like anybody else. Being inspired by people like Reba, and Patsy Cline and George Jones, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, not that I’m like Merle Haggard, but you do recognize that you need to have style. It’s creative and unique. It’s fun. It makes you want to move.”
She has also worked with famed, world-renowned vocal coach and producer, Nathan Lam, who has had his own taste of the music business with Belinda Carlisle, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton and many others. Fans can also check her out online at www.ericanicolemusic.com or e-mail her at erica@ericanicolemusic.com. Her music is available on iTunes, CDBaby and Amazon.
By Kelly DonaldsonEditor
