As scores of artists performed on outdoor stages throughout Nashville’s Lower Broadway on Friday (June 7), some of country music’s rising Latino country artists gathered for a panel and performance inside Fan Fair X at the CMA Closeup Stage. See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Latin Roots: The ‘Equis’ Factor in Country Music” featured artists Frank Ray , Angie K, Leah Turner , LouieTheSinger and Sammy Arriaga, with the panel moderated by Rolling Stone writer Tomás Mier. Each artist spoke of their respective backgrounds and journeys into country music, which are varied.
Texas native Louie TheSinger, who signed with UMG Nashville earlier this year and released his single “Brothers,” previously performed R&B music prior to making a switch to country, and is open about sharing his story of being incarcerated for two years on a drug charge. Meanwhile, Frank Ray was a police officer in Texas prior to transitioning to performing country music. Angie K noted her El Salvador roots, but also her identity as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Angie K spoke of migrating to Georgia from El Salvador, saying, “Moving here from El Salvador...
when you’re in a country where freedom is not as easy as it is here...
my dad, his grandfather was kidnapped and as soon as he got out, got cancer and passed away. My dad almost got kidnapped and that’s one of the reasons we ended up moving to the United States,” Angie K recalled. “I remember talki.