S9: E4: Lee Newton – Standing in the Circle

Lee Newton’s musical journey is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and unwavering faith. Born in a small town called Canton, North Carolina—famously known as “Paper Town, USA” due to its paper mill—Lee’s early life was marked by hardship and struggle. Growing up in a household below middle class, she often found herself with an empty refrigerator and limited resources. Yet, it was within these challenging circumstances that her musical seeds were planted.

Lee’s father, a hardworking cab driver who worked seven days a week and 14-15 hours daily to support his family, became her first musical influence and champion. She would ride around with him in his taxi cab, listening to music and watching him play guitar. He always encouraged her, telling young “Brenda Lee” (her first name is Brenda) that one day she would perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage while he would be sitting in the front row. This prophecy would later come to pass in a way neither could have imagined at the time.

The musical roots in Lee’s family run deep. Her father came from a family of ten siblings, many of whom played various instruments. Most fascinatingly, one of her ancestors, Otis Kirkendall, performed alongside Jimmy Rogers, the Father of Country Music, on a radio show before Rogers’ famous Bristol Sessions. This rich musical heritage flowed through generations to shape Lee’s artistic sensibilities and aspirations.

As a young girl, Lee found solace and inspiration in the music of legendary artists such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette. However, it was when she discovered the Judds and Lori Morgan that something clicked for her—she could envision herself following a similar path in entertainment. Her high school chorus teacher provided a pivotal opportunity when she had Lee perform Lori Morgan’s “Except for Monday” on stage. This first public performance outside of church solidified her desire to pursue music professionally.

Lee’s journey wasn’t a straight path to success. After being in cover bands in her 20s and even performing with original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd in New York City, life circumstances forced her to step away from music for a period. She raised her children and navigated personal challenges, including escaping a domestic violence situation with her young son. Four and a half years ago, with nothing but determination and faith, she restarted her musical career from scratch.

What Lee has accomplished in this short time is remarkable. She has opened for country music legends like Randy Travis, Ronnie Millsap, Diamond Rio, and Gene Watson. Her albums feature collaborations with respected artists including Pam Tillis, Leona Williams, Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys, T Graham Brown, and Rhonda Vincent. These established musicians saw her talent and embraced her as a peer, generously contributing to her projects.

A defining moment in Lee’s career came when she performed her song “Carolina” at the Grand Ole Opry House during the JMA Awards, where she had just won Traditional Country Artist of the Year. The performance held special significance—a replica of her father’s cab driver hat was placed on the microphone stand as she sang, and an empty seat in the front row symbolized her father’s presence. Though not technically performing on the Grand Ole Opry show (a dream she still pursues), standing in the famous circle on that stage fulfilled a piece of her father’s prophecy.

Lee’s accolades include multiple Josie Awards (the premier independent artist award show), ISSA Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), and a Lifetime Recognition Achievement Award from Bakersfield, California. Her success as an independent artist—handling her own management, promotion, and career development—makes her achievements even more impressive.

Through all her triumphs, Lee remains grounded by her priorities as a mother and her faith. She schedules performances around her nine-year-old son’s school calendar, proudly being “that mom” who attends lunches and field trips regularly. She also dedicates time to benefit concerts for causes like hurricane and tornado relief, veterans’ support, and children’s charities.

Looking ahead, Lee is working on a new album featuring a trio version of “Silver Thread and Golden Needles” with Georgette Jones (daughter of George Jones and Tammy Wynette) and another yet-to-be-announced artist. As her star continues to rise, Lee Newton remains true to her roots while embracing new opportunities to share her music and story with an ever-growing audience.

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