Houston Chronicle

Jillian Edwards shares her creative spirit

- Listen to Kent Matthews noon-1 p.m. on Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. on Sundays on NGEN radio (99.5 FM Sugar Land, 91.1 Lake Jackson-Galveston or online at ngenradio.com).

I first heard Jillian Edwards’ music back in 2010 when the Robbie Seay Band released its “Miracle” album at Houston Baptist University. They brought then-newcomers John Mark McMillan and Edwards onstage, and Edwards immediatel­y won over the crowd. The Dallas native, Baylor University grad and folk singer has been influenced by artists such as Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin and Mindy Smith.

Combining raw talent with honest melodies, she captivates new fans and charms old ones every time she takes the stage. Over the past few years, she’s opened for artists such as Ben Rector, Drew & Ellie Holcomb and Josh Garrels.

She’s currently playing dates on Jon Foreman’s Wonderland­s tour, which will stop in Houston Aug. 30.

Back in 2010, she was singing from her “Galaxies and Such” EP, which she sold out of a vintage suitcase in the venue’s lobby.

Edwards followed that debut EP with “Headfirst” in 2011, holding the No. 1 spot on singer-songwriter charts for its entire release week. The next year, she married Will Franklin Chapman, the son of singer Steven Curtis Chapman. The couple now lives in Nashville.

Edwards, her husband and brother-in-law, Caleb Chapman, formed indie-folk trio the Inlaws, recorded an EP and have been performing over the past year.

In 2013, Edwards cowrote and sang on the title track of Ellie Holcomb’s “With You Now” album. She’s also provided vocals for the “How Great Thou Art” track on her father-in-law’s “Deep Roots” bluegrass record.

Her latest album, “Daydream,” was released in 2014, charting at No. 6 on Billboard’s New Artist Chart its first week out and No. 1 on the iTunes Singer/ Songwriter chart. Ryan Seacrest premiered the song “Gotta Have You” on his “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” radio show.

Unwilling to halt her creativity at music alone, Edwards has embarked on a new adventure called “The Deeply Co.,” a traveling music and art show she hosts in creative spaces, featuring local artists of all types.

 ?? Courtesy photo ?? In addition to her solo career, Jillian Edwards teamed up with her husband and brother-in-law to form the indie-folk band the Inlaws.
Courtesy photo In addition to her solo career, Jillian Edwards teamed up with her husband and brother-in-law to form the indie-folk band the Inlaws.
 ?? KENT MATTHEWS ??
KENT MATTHEWS

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