Danielle Peck

• Genre: New Country
• Hometown: Jacksonville
• Danielle Peck Website

About

The first signing to Toby Keith and veteran country-music executive Scott Borchetta's Big Machine/Show Dog Nashville label, Danielle Peck boasts an impressive set of pipes that could make her a fan favorite sooner rather than later. Released in September 2005, her first single, "I Don't," is an intense but clever ballad that plays off similar subject matter to Lyle Lovett's "God Will." "Jesus loves you," Peck sings to an errant ex-partner in her smoky, North Carolina-accented voice. "I don't."

Peck began singing as a child, and by the age of 10 had written her first song. After debuting in church as a choir member and soloist, she joined an act called the Neon Moon Band at 16. As the Ohio outfit's "girl singer," Peck steeped herself in the repertoires of Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood, gaining experience even as an underage habitue of smoky bars. After high school, she hit the road with her own band, touring the Midwest before deciding to take her chances in Nashville. She returned to the south, hitting Music City and making slow but steady progress while waiting tables and honing her writing chops. Her first break came when publisher Clay Mills brought her to Barbara Orbison's Still Working for the Man Music. Soon after, Mills introduced her to Borchetta. When he and Keith left DreamWorks Nashville, Peck was an obvious choice of someone to sign. Not only does their support (and the company's strong roster, which also includes Texas alt country favorite Jack Ingram) bode well for Peck, her forthright songwriting and irresistible voice are strong tools in her arsenal. With more than three dozen songs already published, Peck's debut album surfaced in early 2006.

- Jaan Uhelszki