Kirstie Kraus: New Music, Nashville and Trop Rock Vibes

Written By Bill Hurley

Kirstie Kraus, a Wisconsin native, has been making serious waves out of Nashville, not by fitting into a box, but by building her own lane. She blends modern country with a little old school rock, a little beach-town attitude, and a whole lot of personality… and that’s exactly why she’s found a home not just in country music, but right here in the Trop Rock world as well.  

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Kirstie Kraus has already fulfilled a lot of dreams as a country and Trop Rock artist but if she could live out a dream gig, who would be on stage with her? How about Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, and Martina McBride at the Grand Ole Opry!?! Kirstie lays out that dream with Bill Hurley on the Beach Maniac Island Music Podcast.

Kirstie Kraus says her music has a unique blend or country, bluesy rock and Trop Rock sunshine. It's feel good music all the way! A little Le Ann Rimes, Chris Stapleton and Sheryl Crow.

Kirstie Kraus says her goal is to make music that makes you feel good.

Summary of our conversation with Kirstie:

Kirstie Krause, a rising star blending modern country and blues with Trop Rock, reveals the behind-the-scenes magic that turns ideas into chart-topping hits. From her rock-influenced roots to her recent honors like the 2024 Female Country Artist of the Year (Josie Music Awards) and multiple Radio Trop Rock Song of the Year awards, she shares how she creates music that makes people feel good - whether on a Nashville stage or a beachside bar.

Discover how Kirstie writes songs that blend empowerment, independence, and fun, all inspired by her real-life experiences - like her intense vocal sessions that left her almost passing out, or her spontaneous songwriting in a Caribbean paradise. She breaks down her creative process from first idea to studio magic, revealing the secrets behind her genre-blending sound that’s both fresh and nostalgic.

You'll learn how she successfully navigates diverse musical landscapes - from country and blues and beach tunes - by staying true to her core message: feel good music with authenticity.

We break down her recent international adventures, including her London gigs and her experience on the Atlanta ParrotHead Cruise, where she immersed herself in the Trop Rock community and met icons like Sunny Jim and Alan Jax Bowers.

Kirstie shares how her collaborations, like her duet with Ariel Jade, continually push her toward new horizons, and why her mission is to keep her music unpredictable and exciting.

She emphasizes the importance of community, from her role as the new president of Music City Phin Fest to her involvement with an organization - Porter’s Call - supporting musicians’ mental health.

Why does this all matter? Because in a world overloaded with cookie-cutter artists, Kirstie Krause proves that staying authentic and versatile breeds success in multiple genres. Her story is about passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of joy - both on stage and off.

Tune in if you want to learn how a Midwest girl is taking Nashville - and the world - by storm with catchy tunes, heartfelt stories, and a big dose of beach-town attitude. Whether you're chasing your dream or just looking for the next soundtrack to your summer, Kirstie Krause's journey will leave you inspired and ready to hit play on your own adventure.

Where to find Kirstie online:

Bill Hurley https://beachmaniac.com
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