It’s been several years since we last interviewed country singer-songwriter Harper Grace. A lot has changed since our first conversation. 

The Texas teenager who became known nationwide as the “Anthem Girl” has grown into a Nashville-based recording artist, signed a record deal and is now pursuing the career she dreamed about.

But while Harper has matured as an artist, one thing hasn’t changed: her desire to be authentic. Now living in Nashville, she is drawing from her love of classic country and vintage sounds while creating what she describes as “soulful, disco country.” Her newest songs are deeply personal, drawing from real-life experiences and turning them into stories that listeners can connect with.

Finding Her Place in Nashville

Since our first interview, Harper has made one of the biggest changes imaginable for a young artist: she moved from Texas to Nashville, Tennessee.

“Well, I am now living in my dream state and dream city! I moved out to Nashville, Tennessee, officially, and signed a record deal and now I get to wake up doing the thing I love every single day!”

Living and working in Nashville has also taught Harper an important lesson about the music business—and about herself.

“It’s taught me that staying true to your authentic self is the most important thing out in a big industry like this! There’s gonna be many people that try to define who they think you are and tell you what you should and shouldn’t do, but it’s important to have strong faith and know your identity and your purpose so that you can keep the confidence in that!”

Beyond the “Anthem Girl”

Harper’s journey has included a moment that could easily have defined her career. At just 11 years old, she became known around the country as the “Anthem Girl” following her national anthem performance.

Rather than allowing that experience to define her negatively, Harper now views it as an important part of her story.

“Honestly, I’m grateful for being known as the Anthem Girl. It’s a piece of my life and story that taught me what bravery looks like. It showed me that I could turn a heavy situation into a moment that created strength within. I think facing something so heavy and worldwide at such a young age definitely developed some thicker skin for the industry that I’m working in now.”

She eventually turned that difficult chapter into something positive with “Oh Say Can You See,” a song she wrote for her 11-year-old self.

“This song is about overcoming as well as inspiring people to follow their dreams. Today, it shows me how far I’ve come and how grateful I am for the hardships that have taught me some of my greatest life lessons.”

Discovering Her Authentic Sound

Harper’s music has evolved considerably since we first spoke. Today, she says she has finally found the authenticity she was searching for as a young artist.

“I’d like to say that I finally found the authenticity that young Harper had first wanted to share! Growing up, listening to country music greats like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, etc., I’ve always had a love for vintage sounds.”

That appreciation for classic music has become an important part of Harper’s current sound.

“As of now, I describe it as a soulful, disco country! Something to bring back classic storytelling with music that makes you wanna scoot your boots!”

Turning Real Life Into Songs

Harper has also been releasing new music, including “Under My Skin” and “If Daddy Says No.” Both songs reflect her commitment to writing honestly about her own experiences.

“Both of these songs represent very real pieces of my story in my life. ‘If Daddy Says No’ is a song about almost saying yes to something that was clearly wrong for me, and ‘Under My Skin’ is a song about being manipulated into disguising red flags for pretty and pink!”

For Harper, songwriting is about more than simply telling her own story. She hopes her experiences can help listeners recognize pieces of their own lives in her music.

“My goal with music is to tell truthful and honest stories that might be somebody else’s story that they’ve never had a chance to share! Authentic and relatable is what I continue to strive for every day.”

“If Daddy Says No” is particularly personal. Harper says putting such an experience into a song wasn’t necessarily difficult because she has come to view songwriting as a form of therapy.

“I wouldn’t say it was difficult. Every time I step foot into a writing session, I like to joke around and say it’s some kind of therapy! Being honest in those kinds of situations definitely gives me a better point of view. I was grateful to turn a hardship into a song I could rip pages right out of my heart for.”

Learning to Tell Better Stories

Her time in Nashville has also helped Harper grow as a songwriter. The biggest lesson she has learned is one she keeps coming back to: honesty.

“I’ve probably said it a couple times now at this point, but honesty is what I’ve learned. The more honest and real you can get and the more descriptive of those feelings create some of the best stories!”

That philosophy is becoming a defining part of Harper’s music – taking personal experiences and turning them into songs that feel genuine and relatable.

Connecting With Fans on the Road

As Harper spends more time performing and building her audience, she says one of her favorite parts of being on the road happens after the music stops.

“My favorite part of performing live is genuinely meeting the people afterwards! Staying at the merch table for hours after shows, hearing people’s stories, where they come from and what songs they connected with the most! Hugging necks and making new friends is something that makes my heart really happy!”

For an artist whose music is built around honest storytelling, those conversations with fans seem to be just as meaningful as performing the songs themselves.

What’s Next for Harper Grace?

Harper’s journey is continuing to move forward. She is currently working on a full project and says fans can expect collaborations, more opportunities to perform in different cities and, hopefully, a milestone she has been waiting for.

“I’m working on a full project right now and some fun collaborations for sure! Getting the opportunity to hit more cities and shows soon as well. Also still holding out for that Grand Ole Opry debut! Lord willing, that’s coming soon.”

Several years after our first conversation, Harper Grace is no longer simply the young Texas singer known as the “Anthem Girl.” She has taken the experiences that once defined her, grown from them and used them as fuel for her songwriting.

Now, living her dream in Nashville, she appears to have found what she was searching for all along: her own voice.

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Cover photo courtesy Harper Grace.

Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.