‘Catch of the Day’ – Sommer Floyd – “Soldier” [AUDIO]

Happy Thanksgiving one and all, and one of the things we are most thankful about is being able to bring you a new unsigned or indy label artist each and every Thursday. And while today is a holiday, it won't keep us from bringing you another of Nashville's best up and coming singers and songwriters.

Today's artist is the quintessential All-American girl. Sommer Floyd grew up in the Texas hill country, an honor roll student, outstanding athlete and beauty queen. She was a cheerleader that earned four individual National individual high school All-American designations, and three all-star team National Championships. Attending college on a cheerleading scholarship, she received a nearly impossible All-American designation as a freshman, all while running track and playing tennis on the varsity level, showing livestock and participating in rodeos and earning her deep-sea diving certification.

Oh, and writing songs and performing. But it all came crashing down when Floyd found out she was expecting a child. At the darkest point of her life, she returned home to a family that showed her the love and support it would take for Floyd to find acceptance and to understand the blessings in her life. While bringing her life back around, Sommer began to understand that sometimes it takes a big fall from grace to accept what you have been given. She began to put her feelings to paper, finding it easier to recover by pouring her emotions out in lyrical form.

She went into the studio to record her debut album unsure of the songs she had been presented, or what her roll was in the big picture. But the music began to flow so easily, she knew that a higher power was telling her let her light shine, so that others could bask in the glow. While the transfer from All-American girl to purveyor of a message was neither quick nor easy, Floyd has walked through the fire to come out the other side stronger, wiser and more sure of herself as a performer.

The lead single from Floyd's debut album, Ray of Light, is in our spotlight today. Sommer Floyd and "Soldier" is our Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.