Small stage attracts lesser-known talent

While most people are buying tickets to the Carolina Country Music Festival to see stars such as Keith Urban and Tim McGraw, a small tent on the festival grounds that hosts karaoke at night is showcasing relatively unknown artists in the afternoon.

Florida-based musician Kurt Stevens is one of those artists. He’s released a self-titled EP and said the festival is a great opportunity to share his music.

“One of my buddy’s mom is one of the big marketing people and heard my CD and shipped it around, and they loved it and wanted me to come play, so I’m pretty lucky,” he said.

He moved to Nashville two weeks ago after graduating from Florida State University with a degree in marketing, and wants to make country music his career.

He said he was drawn to country music for its honesty.

“People can relate to it,” he said. “I can relate to it. If you’re having a bad day, you can listen to a country song and fix your day; if you’re having a fun time, you can listen to a fun song. It’s the music of life to me.”

Morgan Myles is another artist who was asked to play.

“I felt very, very, honored that they invited me,” she said.

Myles has been playing her guitar since she was 13 years old, and although she never had any family members who were musically inclined, she said music was her calling.

“I believe in music, period, and what it does,” she said. “Country just kind of found me, where my voice fell.”

Myles is an independent unsigned artist who just released an EP called “Miss Morgan Myles.” She hopes to sign a record deal soon.

“It’s amazing the support that we’ve been getting just through social media, and just through fans really truly loving the music; just truly believing in me,” she said. “It’s pretty much the most affirmation I could ever ask for.”

Kristin Deitle was waiting for Kelsea Ballerini when she caught the last of Steven’s performance and all of Myles’.

“I really liked them, especially Morgan Myles,” said Deitle. “I thought she was great, very soulful.”

Meagan Bianchi was also at the smaller stage waiting for another artist when she heard Myles.

“I’d never heard of her, but she’s got one amazing voice,” Bianchi said. “I think she’s going to go far.”

This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Small stage attracts lesser-known talent."