James E. Akenson
Tennessee Tech University (Retired)
Cookeville, Tennessee, U.S.A
Years ago, I remember Hermans Hermits’…the British Invasion, no less… I’m Henery the Eighth. I particularly remember the lyric “second verse same as the first.” That relates director to emerging Country Music….yes she can be labeled Americana as well…Emi Sunshine.
I attended a ‘House Concert’ a year ago on the campus of Tennessee Tech University, interviewed her, and wrote about it. Since then, I’ve played with Artificial Intelligence (Ai)…yes, there are concerning aspects of Ai…and even had ChatGPT turn the article into a graphic (see below).
The graphic doesn’t explain the reference to Hermans Hermits and I’m Henery the Eighth. At the end of August 2026, Emi Sunshine returned to Cookeville to perform a concert with Sam Hatmaker as opening act. This time Emi Sunshine appeared in the Cookeville Performing Arts Center (CPAC).
So, ‘second verse same as the first” makes sense. Of course, it wasn’t exactly the same. I thought about the possible subtle, or not so subtle, changes that might characterize this second performance in 2026 with the house concert performance of 2025.
What did I anticipate? Well, first and foremost, Dolly Parton’s passing should be acknowledged by both Sam Hatmaker and Emi Sunshine. Dolly’s passing loomed everywhere at the local, state, national, and international level.
Both Hatmaker and Sunshine come from East Tennessee. It would be a major gaffe to ignore it. I was curious to see exactly how each artist would deal with Dolly’s passing.
Second, I wanted to know how Sam Hatmaker as opening act would fit with Emi Sunshine. Would there be an obvious connection in some way stylistically and in the performance.
Third, I wondered how Emi Sunshine’s set would differ from the house concert in 2025. Would there be any subtle differences after an additional year of performing and recording?
Fourth, would there be references, some homage, other than Dolly Parton to icons of Country Music history by either Sam Hatmaker or Emi Sunshine?
Of course, as I arrived at CPAC I felt the need to take pics of CPAC, the electronic sign announcing events, and any other items of interest. CPAC exterior pic with the dramatic Brad Sells sculpture included just took stepping out in the street…minus traffic… to get the view.
The electronic sign announcing Sam Hatmaker and Emi Sunshine was problematical only in terms of the sun. The extra item of interest…the van and trailer at the stage door. It reflected the difficult business of early career building.
It wasn’t an elaborate tour bus that Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, or other established Country Music stars could afford. Of course, I took a merchandise (a.k.a. merch) pic. It seemed a touch more modest than a year ago at the Emi Sunshine House Concert.
I took my front row center seat…it only cost $25…a half hour ahead of curtain time. I enjoyed the time to think and watch people arrive, anticipate the concert, and take pics of the stage.
I liked the sparse stage set-up. To me, it said serious, focused, intense, interesting, and necessary early in a career. Accompanying band, backup singers, dancers, and lighting changes didn’t seem likely.
Well let’s check up how my questions got answered. First of all, did Dolly get some recognition in the wake…no pun intended…of her passing. Sam Hatmaker mentioned Dolly, that she was from Knoxville in East Tennessee and that she had been a performer at Dollywood.
She sang Coat of Many Colors putting her squarely in giving Dolly homage. It represents the difficult poverty of Dolly’s childhood, shows a mother’s love, references the Bible, suggests riches isn’t all money, and reveals the cruelty of looking down on someone less fortunate.
Emi Sunshine honored Dolly as well with Wildflowers. Maybe not Dolly’s greatest hit, but it metaphorically discusses ideas about life and being successful no matter how humble your beginnings. Dolly did indeed need “..freedom to grow, so I ran fearing not where I’d go.”
Second question. I felt Sam Hatmaker and Emi Sunshine made a logical concert fit. Both have a Country Music /Americana/Folk vibe about them. It makes sense to be on the same program. They both showed their East Tennessee roots honoring Dolly.
At the end of the performance they performed Hercules together. It created a logical conclusion, a bond between the two artists, and a positive ending. I didn’t walk away thinking one artist fit my interests and the other didn’t.
Third question. Emi Sunshine’s 2025 House Concert exhibited differences due to venue, but included many similarities. Sitting on a stool continues to present the continued vibe of a singer songwriter.
It doesn’t match the female Country Music imagery of emerging artists such as Emily Ann Roberts or Carter Faith. That’s not wrong, mind you, but it is less targeted to the larger Country Music market. Many of the songs and the merchandise (a.k.a. merch) were similar.
The Miss Demeanor and Family Wars albums as well as tee shirts were available. The upshot…Emi Sunshine continues to be a very talented singer songwriter with a continuous, identifiable performance style,
Fourth question. Both Sam Hatmaker and Emi Sunshine honored the history of Country Music. Sam Hatmaker both referenced learning about Country Music performing at Dollywood. She admitted she didn’t grow up in a Country Music oriented family.
Coat of Many Colors is an iconic Dolly song. Emi Sunshine not only sang Wildflowers, but sang The Ghost of Hank Williams. Like in 2025, The Ghost of Hank Williams immediately establishes Country Music credibility. It shows reverence for Country Music history. I appreciate emerging…and established…artists who make an effort to be grounded in history.
Finally, are there any extra observations I ought make outside of answering my four questions. Yes. I thought Sam Hatmaker had a self-depreciating sense of humor that made her endearing. Some of her songs had clever and unexpected titles.
How about Britney Van Gogh to deal with mental health problems. Our Ai friend says “Britney Van Gogh is an unreleased original country/folk song by Sam Hatmaker that pays tribute to mental health struggles by paralleling the public scrutiny of Britney Spears with the isolation of Vincent van Gogh.”
I thought it a very clever pairing. Or to be erudite, should I say ‘juxtaposed’? I also thought “Nursing Homes, Hospitals, and Graveyards” offered an intriguing combination. No wonder her style has been described as “goth-hick.” She, too, is clearly in the singer songwriter vibe.
Lastly, she didn’t veer toward Megan Maroney or Ashley Cooke image wise. Covered from neck to toe with long sleeve dress, tights, and boots there wasn’t any cheeky exposure to be seen.
How about additional observations about Emi Sunshine. Like 2025….I enjoyed it. I think she didn’t increase her audience engagement. Yes, the venue was much bigger, less intimate, and the lighting focused on the stage with a dark auditorium. I’m pleased by her support for others who aren’t like the majority.
The East Tennessee “Equality Fest” in Sevierville…Sevier LGBTQ Neighbors… is positive. It doesn’t fit with her conservative Baptist upbringing and to me suggests a positive for Country Music artists. Whether there was push back from any of her fan base, or potential fan base, remains to be seen.
The same day Emi Sunshine performed at the Smoky Mountain Fall Fest at 6pm on the main stage. That’s a conventional Country Music appearance and audience. Good for Emi Sunshine to build her career with varied audiences. Dolly would approve.
Leaving CPAC after an enjoyable and interesting concert, I felt my time was well spent. Each time I see an artist…be it for the first time or more…I learn something that deepens my knowledge base and broadens my understanding and appreciation for Country Music.
Just the other evening I picked up soup and sandwiches for dinner at Panera. I ran into the friend of our daughter who lives in Nashville. She manages and performs in several bands in Nashville, around the country, and performs in their videos.
We discussed the difficulty for emerging artists. Spotify streams and performances barely pay the bills. Merch sales are crucial. And…the old advice “Don’t quit your day job” offers wisdom.
How do we judge and anticipate success. Last year Emi Sunshine defined success as alternate to being a stadium filling act who we hear on the Top 40 charts for Country Music radio. Her song Too Good For The Radio suggests a bit of an outsider’s vision. Sam Hatmaker gives a similar vibe.
My concern… How long can an artist perform in small venues before the grind outweighs the personal satisfaction and the financial strain? Retirement plans and social security require a consistency of input to ensure a reasonable life when work is over. True.
They’re in their 20s and building a fan base. Have I seen the numbers for either artist? No. Sometimes though, the big picture can be applied to an individual and be reasonably accurate.
So…I hope that Sam Hatmaker and Emi Sunshine systematically build a broad fan base that provides emotional satisfaction at the same time it provides short and long term material security.
All the reels on Facebook suggest that there is no end to varied young, talented, energetic, interesting Country Music/Americana/Folk…name another adjective…artists in similar settings. Paisley Grace is only thirteen and already touring and posting almost daily. The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters are posting Bluegrass style reels on a regular basis. No need to go on and on.
At the time I retried in December 2025 everyone of my attractive and talented Elementary Education students had no trouble finding a teaching position. Many former students post about their wonderful schools, colleagues, and students. They are virtually all successful in varied ways…academic achievement, emotionally, regular pay, and retirement plans.
It’s demanding work, but the career path doesn’t raise the varied issues for artists such as Sam Hatmaker and Emi Sunshine. May both these women find the success that rewards their great talent in a difficult, demanding, market place known as the music business.
