Sierra Ferrell is a singer and songwriter with a fast-rising career, but her path to success has been anything but traditional. She spent years hitchhiking, train hopping, and busking across the country before securing a record deal.
Despite growing up poor in West Virginia with a single mom, Ferrell has been singing since she was a child. “I was a pretty annoying child,” Ferrell joked.
As the opioid epidemic spread in her early 20s, Ferrell felt the need to escape. “I left because I’ve always had this wild side to me. I knew that if I stayed there, I probably wouldn’t be alive,” she explained. “I left to search for myself, find a reason to live, or discover something new.”
Ferrell and a friend began hitchhiking, with their very first ride offering her a knife for protection. She also spent time hopping trains, feeling like an outlaw and finding freedom in the experience.
For years, Ferrell traveled, relying on busking and the kindness of strangers to get by. She acknowledged that many travelers are running from something, including herself, as she struggled with addiction and past traumas.
After a near-death experience during a relapse in West Virginia, Ferrell decided to settle in Nashville and seek therapy. Taking accountability and making positive changes in her life led to opportunities like playing at Honky Tonk Tuesday Nights and ultimately securing a record deal for her debut album.
Her new album, “Trail of Flowers,” reflects the wisdom gained from her unconventional experiences. Ferrell’s touring this summer with the Avett Brothers and Zach Bryan, sharing her wildness through music that incorporates both joy and sadness.
“You have to go through the sadness to appreciate the joy and understand what joy can bring,” Ferrell concluded.
