CHICAGO — Mickey Guyton, a Grammy-nominated country from North Texas, performed on the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as did Americana singer-songwriter Jason Isbell.
Guyton sang her 2021 song “All American” from her album “Remember Her Name” solo in front of a backdrop showing rural highways and classrooms.
Watch Guyton’s full performance here:
Guyton was born in Arlington and after signing to Capitol Records in Nashville, her first appearance was at an All-Star concert at the White House. She released her self-titled EP with her debut single “Better Than You Left Me” in 2015.
She was nominated for her first Academy of Country Music Award for new female vocalist the next year. She returned to the ACM in 2019, when she performed “I’m Standing With You” from the “Breakthrough movie soundtrack.
She returned to the ACM in 2023 for her first solo performance at the awards show where she sang “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” with her labelmate Keith Urban on piano.
She became the first Black female solo artist to be nominated for a Grammy in a country category (best country solo performance) for “Black Like Me.” She served as a co-host of the 2021 ACM Awards with Keith Urban in 2021.
Musician James Taylor was also scheduled to perform before Biden’s speech on the opening night of the DNC, but didn’t. He’d previously performed at the 2012 DNC in North Carolina, when Barack Obama was nominated for a second term as president.
