Alicia Blue’s “Country Desire” Album Release | Invited to Some Cool Sh*t

Got invited to some cool shit again.

This time, Heart of the Gulch headed over to Skinny Dennis in Nashville to celebrate Alicia Blue and the release of her new album, Country Desire.

I’ve gotten to know Alicia and watch her hustle here in Nashville, and I truly believe she’s one of the most promising rising artists carrying the torch for traditional country music right now. She works her ass off, she knows exactly what kind of artist she wants to be, and Country Desire feels like everything she’s been building toward.

A signed copy of Alicia Blue’s Country Desire album from her Nashville album release celebration at Skinny Dennis.

Alicia Blue’s Country Desire

Alicia’s path to this record is anything but traditional.

She grew up between Southern California and South Texas with mariachi from her Mexican father, West Coast soul, poetry and eventually the country music that would become such a huge part of her sound.

Alicia Blue performs during her Country Desire album release celebration at Skinny Dennis in Nashville.

She played her first open mic in 2016. One of her earliest songs, “Magma,” eventually landed on a major Starbucks Spotify playlist and played in stores around the world. She built a name in the Los Angeles songwriting community before a trip to Nashville eventually turned into a permanent move to Music City.

Over the last few years, I've watched that hustle continue here in Nashville.

Alicia Blue Country Desire album release celebration at Skinny Dennis in Nashville with Tony Mendoza - Host of Heart of the Gulch.

Her music has moved deeper into traditional country while still carrying pieces of everything that came before it. In 2024, she released “Tennessee” with Lucinda Williams, and her country music has continued to lean into the sounds of artists like Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Waylon Jennings.

That journey ultimately led to Country Desire.

A Special Tribute to Dolly Parton

The night also carried a much heavier meaning.

Dolly Parton mural in Nashville photographed following her passing and during the week of Alicia Blue’s Country Desire release celebration.

During her set at Skinny Dennis, Alicia performed “Jolene” as a tribute to Dolly Parton following her passing.

With Nashville still celebrating and remembering Dolly's life and enormous impact on country music, hearing a rising artist so heavily influenced by traditional country perform one of her most recognizable songs made for a special moment.

I also stopped by the Dolly Parton mural while documenting the night — another reminder of just how much she meant to this city and generations of artists who came after her.

One to Keep Watching

There are a lot of artists trying to make it in Nashville.

What has always stood out to me about Alicia is the hustle.

She shows up. She writes. She plays. She keeps pushing. And she’s building something that feels rooted in the country music she loves without trying to become a copy of somebody who came before her.

Getting to celebrate Country Desire at Skinny Dennis felt like catching another step in that journey.

I have a feeling we're going to be hearing Alicia Blue's name a hell of a lot more.

Sometimes Heart of the Gulch is behind the interview desk.

Sometimes we get invited to some cool shit.

This was definitely the latter.