Columbia native wins Nashville music contest
Bailey E. Alford, aka Elsie, is breaking down barriers as she continues her music career.
Alford, a Columbia native and Columbia High grad, and daughter of Terry and Nawasa Montgomery, won the Country Showdown in Nashville last week and hopes the victory can catapult her rising career. Elsie said that in a male dominated business the win was especially thrilling.
“To bring one home for the women is special,” she said. “Country music is really male dominated. Not only that, but it made me extremely proud to be the first black woman to win. It is a huge deal for me. I think it’s time … it’s past time. Hopefully, I can keep up the momentum and break a few other barriers and make some more history for, not only women, but women of color.”
Alford, the wife of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Alford, said the win itself was exciting and she enjoyed the journey to Nashville to compete after winning the local competition two years ago.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around what happened,” she said in a phone interview Monday. “Overall, it was a really incredible experience. I can’t thank the Country Showdown enough for keeping the competition going, but the way that they have changed it to where we actually get to meet people in the industry now.”
After arriving in Nashville, Alford spent time on Music Row, meeting many people who could help her career.
“We had a meeting with several major players in the industry,” Elsie said. “These are people that you need to know in order to advance your music career. They gave us so much great advice. They shared words of wisdom as far as taking our careers to the next level. We got a lot of great information; we got the inside scoop.”
Before the competition Elsie had the opportunity of a lifetime.
“One Monday night I was able to perform at Legends Corner on Broadway,” she said. “It was huge because some people go their entire careers and never play there. The Country Showdown gave us that opportunity to not only perform, but perform our own music.”
The rising artist has written most of her music and performed songs she had composed. Last fall, she released her first EP.
“I finished it last November while I was kind of waiting around to see what the Showdown was going to do,” she said. “I got the call in April that the Showdown was happening. When they told us that we were going to be able to do a showcase that wasn’t really connected to the competition, it was exciting. It was a warmup to the competition, but at the same time, it was crossing a major milestone off for my career bucket list. I performed three of my original songs. It gave me the opportunity to share my music with a completely different audience.”
The next night was the competition and Elsie was fourth on the list.
“First I did ‘Nolia,’ which is an original,” she said. “Then I turned around and performed ‘My Mississippi,’ which is also an original. When I found out I’d won, the tears flowed. There were so many tears. I didn’t expect it. I’d been preparing and trying to make sure that I was where I needed to be for the competition – it was a lot of hard work.”
The victory not only gave Elsie the notoriety that comes with the Country Showdown, but it came with a cash prize that she hopes to use to further her career, $50,000 cash and $50,000 worth of what she describes as mentorship and recording efforts.
“I’m sure that will help out a lot,” she said. “It’s a whole lot of good stuff. It’s just the beginning.”
Elsie said the support from her hometown has been overwhelming.
“From teachers and principals, including Ms. B (CHS Principal Sheila Burbridge), my church … so many people reached out,” she said. “They sent their love, their good luck and prayers. I just really appreciate it.”
Pictured Above: Bailey E. Alford, aka Elsie, sings at the Country Showdown in Nashville, where she won the top prize. She became the first black woman to win the competition. Elsie won with music that she has written and hopes her career takes off. | Photo by Hannah Jorie Davis
