CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
INEZ — Thirteen-year-old Adalyn Ramey, known as “The Young Appalachian Storyteller,” will bring her award-winning voice and heartfelt songs to the Appalachian Artist Festival stage Aug. 2 in downtown Inez.
The Paintsville native has quickly emerged as one of the region’s brightest young stars, captivating audiences with original songs like “Kentucky On My Mind,” heartfelt tributes such as “Marry Me”—a Dolly Parton-inspired single released July 4—and her track “Small Town.”
With a passion for storytelling through song, Adalyn creates music rooted in faith, home and the everyday lives of Appalachian people. Her original work has received airplay on radio stations worldwide, and she has had seven different singles chart in the Top 20 bluegrass and gospel music rankings over the past year.
In 2024 alone, her songwriting earned her nominations for four Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards, two Hollywood Independent Music Awards and three honors at the 10th Annual Josie Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Her Christmas single, “Another Kentucky Christmas,” was named Best Bluegrass Christmas Song of 2024 at the Holiday Music & Film Awards in Jacksonville, Florida.
Even at a young age, Adalyn maintains a full performance schedule, playing at major festivals and renowned venues across the country. She has shared the stage with Grammy-winning artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent and others.
One of her career highlights was a performance on PBS’s “WoodSongs Kids,” where she appeared with the Arizona Wildflowers, showcasing both her mandolin playing and natural stage presence.
Adalyn recently signed her first record deal with Dreamland Entertainment Group in Nashville and is currently working on her debut album.
Plan to see this rising star Aug. 2 in Inez as she shares the stories and spirit of Appalachia through music.