Lindsay Ell

Early life

Lindsay Ell was born in Calgary. Lindsay fell in love with the blues and started songwriting at age 10. Ell was valedictorian for her class at Bishop Carroll High School, from which she graduated a year early. She went on to study business at the University of Calgary and music at the Berklee College of Music, in addition to pursuing her music career.

Career

Randy Bachman discovered Ell when she was only 15 years old. Bachman described her as "the most talented and multi-faceted artist I've come across in many years". Bachman co-wrote and produced her first album Consider This. It was recorded at Bachman's studio on Saltspring Island, and Ell herself co-wrote most of the 11 songs. On her 2009 album, Alone, she moved to a more acoustic sound compared to her debut.

It was her first songwriting trip to Nashville that brought her full circle to her country roots. She travelled back and forth from Calgary to Nashville for a couple years to participate in songwriting sessions while playing as many live shows as she could to hone her craft. At the age of 21, she permanently moved to Nashville and signed with the US-based record label Stoney Creek Records.

In December 2013, her first official single, "Trippin' on Us", debuted as the most added song for country music radio in both Canada and the United States with over 50 first week adds. Ell has since been called "a true triple threat" by Guitar World; "a star in the making" by Taste of Country and "a distinct figure in the modern country recording camp" by Country Weekly. Lindsay is a guitarist and her style has been influenced by John Mayer, Keith Urban, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Buddy Guy, Randy Bachman, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. She typically plays a custom Les Paul Goddess and Martin acoustic guitars. She is an official Martin Guitar artist.

Lindsay made her Grand Ole Opry debut on 15 April 2014 and has since made several appearances on the show. On 24 March 2017, Lindsay released her debut EP, Worth the Wait, featuring six songs, one of which is a cover of John Mayer's "Stop This Train". "Worth the Wait shows off Ell's talent in all capacities, as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter," wrote Sounds Like Nashville in a review of the project. On 28 January 2018, Lindsay sang the Canadian National Anthem at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. In March 2018, she performed at the C2C: Country to Country festival in the UK. On 29 July 2020 upon her label's request Lindsay flew to Nashville to perform a remix as a guest artist on her label mate Tucker Beathard's newly released single titled "Faithful". The track was the first promotional single released upon the announcement Beathard's upcoming album titled KING, however the version that features her was left off of the album and was instead only able to be streamed via YouTube.

On 14 August 2020, Ell released her fifth studio album, Heart Theory, featuring the singles "I Don't Love You", "Want Me Back", and "Good on You". In October 2021, it was announced that Ell will host the second season of Canada's Got Talent, which aired in 2022. She served alongside Priyanka as cohost of the 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards.

In 2023, Ell departed Stoney Creek Records and the BBR Music Group. She subsequently released the single "Sweet Spot". Her song "Right on Time" was named "Single of the Year" at the 2023 Canadian Country Music Awards. Ell was named the recipient of the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards for her work establishing The Make You Movement fund and support for sexual assault survivors and the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.

In 2023, Ell performed as one of the support acts on Shania Twain's Queen of Me Tour. In 2024, she joined Twain for her third Las Vegas residency at PH Live as guitarist. Later that year, she signed with Universal Music Canada, and released an extended play titled Love Myself on October 25, 2024. The EP included her debut pop single "Story I Tell Myself". She also appeared in the country music documentary Rebel Country in June 2024.

Personal life

Ell officially became an American citizen on December 8, 2022. In February 2023, she revealed that she has been battling an eating disorder for many years that was only recently diagnosed.

Tours

• We Are Pioneers World Tour (2013/2014) – supporting The Band Perry
• CMT Next Women of Country Tour (2016) – supporting Jennifer Nettles
• Life Amplified World Tour (2017) – supporting Brad Paisley
• Weekend Warrior World Tour (2017/2018) – supporting Brad Paisley
• Still the Same Tour (2018) - supporting Sugarland
• Graffiti U World Tour (2018) – supporting Keith Urban
• Monster Energy Outbreak Tour (2018/2019) - headlining
• Friends and Heroes Tour (2021) - supporting Blake Shelton
• wAnt me back tour (2021) - headlining, with Robyn Ottolini supporting
• From the Fire Tour (2023) - supporting Zac Brown Band

Lindsay Ell was selected by The Band Perry to open for their "We Are Pioneers World Tour" which included 50 dates throughout Europe and North America during 2013 and 2014. She has also supported tours with Shania Twain (support act for Queen of Me Tour and then guitarist for her Come On Over Las Vegas residency), Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Buddy Guy, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Ronnie Dunn, Paul Brandt, Chris Isaak and Blake Shelton. In 2021, Lindsay Ell completed her first Canadian headlining tour, with special guest Robyn Ottolini supporting.

Discography

Main article: Lindsay Ell discography

• Consider This (2008)
• Alone (2009)
• The Project (2017)
• The Continuum Project (2018)
• Heart Theory (2020)
• The Love Myself Collection (2025)

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. Leggett, Steve. "Lindsay Ell - Biography". [[AllMusic]].
2. Hoshkiw, Drew. (19 May 2011). "Ell offers country sound at Hotel". Rocky Mountain Outlook.
3. (22 June 2017). "Lindsay Ell Made Her Late-Night Debut on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! (6/20)". [[Broken Bow Records]] (BBR) Music Group.
4. (22 August 2017). "Lindsay Ell's 'The Project' Is a No. 1 Album".
5. Jaffer, Murtz. (19 March 2022). "'Canada's Got Talent' is back and this time the judges pledge to have an edge". [[Toronto Star]].
6. "Artist: Lindsay Ell". [[CBC Music]].
7. Leonard, Christine. (5 February 2009). "Just for the Ell of it: Local singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell gets a little help from big-name friends". [[Fast Forward Weekly]].
8. Simnett, Chris. (1 January 2007). "Ell awaits release of CD". [[Calgary Herald]].
9. (23 September 2014). "Student Spotlight: Lindsay Ell".
10. Hu, Amanda. (7 August 2008). "Songstress breaks down the barriers". [[Gauntlet (newspaper).
11. Fortney, Valerie. (25 March 2008). "Eyes of Canada on city for music awards gala". [[Calgary Herald]].
12. Hunter, Colin. (8 January 2009). "This girl's got a friend in Guy: Jam session with Buddy Guy an honour for young blues-pop musician Lindsay Ell". [[Guelph Mercury]].
13. (8 January 2014). "Lindsay Ell trippin' along on tour with The Band Perry".
14. (2 May 2014). "Musician Lindsay Ell: A Calgarian in Nashville".
15. (2014-07-11). "Calgary country singer Lindsay Ell ready for the big leagues". Calgary Herald.
16. "Lindsay Ell Profiled on NBC's The Better Show This Monday 3 March".
17. "Headline of the Day - March 3, 2014".
18. "Guitarist Lindsay Ell Discusses New Single, "Trippin' On Us", and Opening for Buddy Guy".
19. "Spotlight Country…With Lindsay Ell".
20. (11 April 2014). "Guitarist Lindsay Ell Talks New Music, Touring and The Grand Ole Opry".
21. "Artists that play Martin Guitars.".
22. (2017-03-20). "Lindsay Ell to Release Debut EP, 'Worth The Wait'". Sounds Like Nashville.
23. (2017-03-24). "EP Review: Lindsay Ell's 'Worth The Wait'". Sounds Like Nashville.
24. (25 January 2018). "NHL All-Star Game Will Include Performances From Lindsay Ell, Brett Young & Chase Rice".
25. (31 July 2020). "Watch Tucker Beathard and Lindsay Ell's Duet Version of 'Faithful'".
26. Despres, Tricia. (5 August 2020). "WATCH: Tucker Beathard, Lindsay Ell Duet on 'Faithful'".
27. (25 June 2020). "Lindsay Ell Details New Album, 'Heart Theory'".
28. [https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2021/10/26/howie-mandel-lilly-singh-among-judges-set-for-canadas-got-talent.html "Howie Mandel, Lilly Singh among judges set for 'Canada's Got Talent'"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', 26 October 2021.
29. David Friend, [https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2021/11/08/drag-race-winner-priyanka-to-co-host-canadas-country-music-awards-with-lindsay-ell.html "‘Drag Race’ winner Priyanka to co-host Canada's country music awards with Lindsay Ell"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', 8 November 2021.
30. (14 February 2023). "Lindsay Ell Reveals She's Been Diagnosed With an Eating Disorder". Taste of Country.
31. Houghton, Cillea. (24 March 2023). "Lindsay Ell Settles Into the "Sweet Spot" with New Single". [[American Songwriter]].
32. Hollabaugh, Lorie. (July 9, 2024). "Lindsay Ell To Receive CCMA's Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award". Music Row.
33. "Music Row Weekly - October 11, 2024". Music Row.
34. Bell, Kaelen. (October 4, 2024). "Lindsay Ell Announces New EP, Shares "story i tell myself"". [[Exclaim!]].
35. (April 17, 2024). "Fremantle to Handle Sales on Country Music Documentary 'Rebel Country', World Premiering at Tribeca, First Look Released". [[Variety Magazine]].
36. "I am officially an American".
37. Liptak, Carena. (December 11, 2022). "Lindsay Ell Passes Her American Citizenship Test: 'I Am So Proud to Be a Dual Citizen'". Taste of Country.
38. "Lindsay Ell Was Recently Diagnosed with an Eating Disorder; Has Hopes Her Story Will 'Inspire' Others".
39. (8 May 2017). "Brad Paisley Plots 2017 Weekend Warrior Tour".
40. (9 January 2018). "Sugarland Plot 2018 Still the Same Tour".
41. "Lindsay Ell to open in hometown on Keith Urban's Graffiti U World tour".
42. Freeman, Jon. (2018-09-04). "Lindsay Ell Announces First Headlining Tour".
43. (19 July 2021). "LINDSAY ELL ANNOUNCES FIRST HEADLINING CANADIAN TOUR".
44. (8 January 2014). "Lindsay Ell trippin' along on tour with The Band Perry".
45. "Supporting Act for Keith Urban Announced".
46. "2014 CCMA Awards - Canadian Country Music Association".
47. "Past Winners - Female Artist of the Year".
48. "2016 CMT Music Awards - Voting Underway in New Category for June 8 Awards Show".
49. (13 July 2016). "2016 CCMA Awards Nominees". [[Canadian Country Music Association.
50. "2018 CCMA Awards Nominees - Canadian Country Music Association".
51. (20 February 2019). "ACM Awards 2019: Full list of nominees".
52. (6 June 2019). "2019 CMT Music Awards: The Complete Winners List".
53. "2019 CCMA Award Nominees - Canadian Country Music Association".
54. "2020 CCMA Awards: The complete country music winners list".
55. Gordon, Holly. (5 June 2021). "Here are the 2021 Juno Award winners". [[CBC Music]].
56. Samhan, Jamie. (30 November 2021). "2021 CCMA Awards Winners". [[Global News]].
57. (20 July 2022). "2022 CCMA AWARD NOMINEES". [[Canadian Country Music Association]].
58. "Ashley McBryde & Brothers Osborne Among 2022 CMA International Awards Nominees".
59. (13 July 2023). "2023 CCMA Awards Nominees". [[Canadian Country Music Association]].
60. (16 September 2023). "OFFICIAL 2023 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD WINNERS". [[Canadian Country Music Association]].
61. (18 July 2024). "2024 CCMA AWARDS NOMINEES". [[Canadian Country Music Association]].