Keystone Artist Connect

Last but not least we have Coltt Winter Lepley & Emily Woodhull finishing out the afternoon! Too many to post on one post but again THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ARTIST We ❤️ YOU XOXOXOXOXO

One week later… 💕🤠

It’s been one week since we celebrated FIVE YEARS of September Social at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge , and we’re still overwhelmed by how special the day was.

More than 20 incredible artists, six hours of live music, and a room filled with artists, friends, industry, music lovers, old faces and new ones, this is exactly why September Social exists.

A HUGE thank you to every single artist who shared their songs and stories with us. You are the heart of this event, and we’re so grateful you chose to spend one of the busiest weeks in Nashville with us.

Thank you to Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge for giving September Social a home, and to Pickin’ Strings at Pickle Springs , Old West Americana , Hillary Banks Self creator of Country & Western Tarot + Oracles , Cumbrae Promotions , Kelby Dru Maddy Lafferty Candace Jean✨ Honeynutmeg & Sarah Bizanovich and everyone who helped behind the scenes, shared the event, brought a friend, grabbed a drink, listened to a song or made a new connection.

And to every manager, agent, publicist, label, radio, festival promoter, and media friend, artist, songwriter and music lover who walked through those doors, thank you for showing up for independent music and for each other.

Five years down, and we’re just getting started. 🥹

We love you. We appreciate you. See you next September.

Second post coming!

— Danni + Keystone Artist Connect 💕

SEPTEMBER SOCIAL IS TOMORROW! Here’s another artist feature ~ 𝙺𝚊𝚒 𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚎-𝙶𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚢

Growing up and making a life in Nelson County, Virginia, Kai has carved out a career writing about the people and landscapes around him. His first show was in middle school and there were polyester shirts, strobe lights, and dancing. He’s been playing music since.



When not fronting the rock act Lord Nelson, Kai has supported artists such as BJ Barham (American Aquarium), Joe Pug, Lilly Hiatt, Chuck Ragan, Andrew Combs, Erin Rea and many others. Pushing into the waters of a solo record and career has slowed like much of this past year, but with a full album in the can, more songs on the way, and light creeping around the edges, the luxury of music and hope is hard to ignore.

Come on down to Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge between noon-6! Don’t miss this lineup 🤠

ARTIST FEATURE - September Social Tomorrow at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge The one and only KP Hawthorn ❤️ I am so honored to call this incredible woman my friend. She is such an inspiration as an artist, a label, a mentor and an all around beautiful person!

Known for her lush vocals, evocative songwriting, and genre-blending sensibilities, KP Hawthorn makes a striking solo debut with Til The Glitter End, out September 12th. A founding member of The HawtThorns and CALICO the band, Hawthorn brings her West Coast roots and Nashville polish together on a record that feels both familiar and entirely new, a vibrant reimagining of some of her most beloved past works, steeped in Americana, dream pop, and golden-era California tones.
Produced by KP Hawthorn and Steve Berns at Fitting Room Studio in Nashville, and mastered by Paul Blakemore, Til The Glitter End features a dream team of collaborators: Johnny Hawthorn (electric guitar, background vocals), Ted Pecchio (upright bass), Chris Benelli (drums/ percussion), and guest appearances from violinist Sav Madigan (“Going To California”) and Americana icon Rosie Flores (“High Road”). KP herself contributes vocals, acoustic guitar, keys, mandolin, and percussion, shaping a sonic palette that’s richly layered but emotionally intimate.

I can’t even put into words how much I adore Mindy M Miller ❤️ a true gem of a human, an incredible artist and she’s got some pretty cool stuff going on. Don’t miss her THIS WEDNESDAY at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge for the September Social!

Mindy Miller, rooted in Nashville and shaped by the road, delivers songs that hit deep and stay with you long after the lights go down. With a modern edge and an authentic stage presence, she offers timeless, skillful songwriting and performances that leave you wanting more from this seasoned “musician’s musician.” Her guitar playing, storytelling, and vocals reflect a constant dedication to her craft—and stand as proof of an artist honed through experience and one hell of a work ethic.

A Nashville staple, she performs around town several nights a week when she’s not touring, holding residencies in Music Valley at the iconic Nashville Palace. Her journey has taken her to legendary stages like The Bluebird Café and the Grand Ole Opry, and she’s shared the spotlight with artists spanning genres and generations—including Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Journey, Michael Bublé, Post Malone, Jamey Johnson, Pam Tillis, and Phil Vassar.

Most recently, Mindy was a Top 16 finalist on NBC’s The Voice (Season 28), coached by Snoop Dogg, earning national recognition for her raw vocals, fearless performances, and undeniable authenticity.

Whether she’s digging into a slow-burning story song or letting a groove roll, Mindy Miller brings music back to its roots—honest, soulful, and unapologetically real.

Next up! Old Son aka Old Son… I had the pleasure of meeting and watching Peyton play live at Pickin’ Strings at Pickle Springs and 🤯🤯🤯🤯 don’t miss him Wednesday at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge for the September Social! Noon-6ish!

Who is Old Son?

Peyton Len Ford is equal parts authenticity and promise. The cross-country horse-hauling troubadour from the Missouri Bootheel is a breath of fresh air for the next generation of songwriters, honoring the tradition and style of the folk artists he draws inspiration from while providing a unique flavor that only someone with his mile-wide variety of life experiences could offer.

Songs like “Last Fall” prove his ability to put those experiences to paper while unreleased tracks like “Pole” highlight his ability to showcase his sense of humor without sacrificing the integrity of his artistry.

While his musical career is only in its adolescence you’ll find that his sound is both mature and timeless, which is exactly why Peyton Len Ford is Old Son.

Artist Feature! It’s Dave Shepherd and TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY! When you see him this Wednesday at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge for the September Social be sure to say hello and buy him a Diet Coke!

Dave Shepherd is an alt-country, bluegrass, and Americana songwriter and musician from the rust belt of southwest Pennsylvania. After a decade living in Philadelphia touring the east coast, mid-atlantic, and southeast with various bluegrass, country, and jazz groups, Dave has resettled back home in the Golden Triangle, the Paris of Appalachia– Pittsburgh PA. You can hear the rust in his songs. Not plain alt-country– Dave has credentials in real deal country and bluegrass scenes– but Rust Country, classic songs with a grungy edge built on the rusty frame of that good old country and bluegrass music. Original music that feels like home and the skills to get a room two-stepping all night long, Dave puts on a raw and well oiled musical show in any formation– solo acoustic, trio, bluegrass ensemble, to a full country outfit with fiddle and steel.

We are so honored to know and work with India Ramey She not only is brilliant she’s a gem of a human! Come on down to Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge This Wednesday Sept 16th for the five year anniversary of the September Social!

Following her acclaimed 2024 album Baptized By The Blaze, India Ramey expands her dark traditional country universe with Villain Era, recorded in Los Angeles with Grammy-nominated producer Eric Corne. Inspired by her vision of “Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn rising from the grave to score a Tarantino film,” the album features an all-star powerhouse band and a sound that’s as cinematic as it is cathartic. The ten tracks—written solely by Ramey—deliver a gritty, spaghetti-western-meets-honky-tonk reckoning.

🎟️ ON SALE NOW! 🎟️
October is shaping up to be a VERY fun month with our gothiest friend India Ramey 🖤 and we’re kicking off the announcements with a special one:

📍 The Showdown Saloon | Portland Live Music
🗓️ October 22
🎸 with local opener Pati Rojas

We’re SO excited to be back at Showdown and back in Portland! This is just the first of several October shows we’ll be announcing, and we can’t wait to share the rest with you. 👀

Grab your tickets now and come hang with us! 🖤