Nashvilles Rising Country Voice Krystal King Balances Touring, DJing, and Roots in the High Country

From the misty mountains of North Carolina to the pulse of Nashville, Krystal King is carving a multi‑disciplinary path that blends touring, songwriting, and DJing.

The Hickory‑born singer first stepped onto Nashville’s stage in March 2025, when she performed at the Bluebird Café’s Chick Singer Night. The show marked the first time a woman from the High Country had shared the venue’s storied stage, and it followed the release of her debut album, Pretty Poison, earlier that year. King’s presence on the road, in the studio, and on air now underscores her growing footprint in the country music scene.

King earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Appalachian State University in Boone. While studying, she began writing songs with guitar teacher Tony Eltora, who also helped found the Hickory Music Factory. Their first collaboration, “Two Thousand Miles,” set the tone for a career that would blend clinical practice with creative ambition. After graduation, King worked as a music therapist at the Levine Cancer Institute and the Carolina Medical Center of Mercy in Charlotte, while staying active in the local songwriting community and joining the National Songwriters Association.

In 2024, King and her husband relocated to Nashville, following a brief internship in the city during college. The first year was tough; both partners took jobs that required long commutes and irregular hours, leaving little time for music. Over time, King secured more flexible gigs and began booking her own tours. She has added dates in the High Country, citing the region’s beauty and her family ties as motivating factors. Her touring schedule now includes stops in Boone, Blowing Rock, and other North Carolina venues, in addition to Nashville clubs.

King’s radio career began at Appalachian State’s WASU station, where she hosted the “Boomtown Hoedown,” a country‑music specialty show. A chance encounter with DJ JD Spradlin of Radio Margaritaville while touring in Florida led to an invitation to join the Sirius/XM station. Since then, King has hosted a weekly show on Radio Margaritaville, airing Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. In a recent episode, she interviewed country superstar Keith Urban, who was in Nashville for a yacht‑rock album project. The interview was conducted at the Sirius/XM headquarters and featured a live audience and camera crew.

King’s debut album, Pretty Poison, was released in March 2025 and includes seven original tracks. The album has been promoted on iHeart’s 96.9 The Kat, CountryLine TV, and the Heartland Network. In addition to the album, King has released 13 singles, with six produced by Mike Loudermilk, a former guitarist for Crystal Gayle. Her music has been featured on streaming platforms and in regional radio playlists, expanding her reach beyond live venues.

King’s recent Chick Singer Night performance at the Bluebird Café was part of a fundraiser benefiting the Gerald E. Allen Foundation, which supports mental health services in the region.

Today, King continues to balance touring, radio hosting, and songwriting. She has announced a series of upcoming shows in Nashville and the High Country, and she is working on new material for a potential second album. Her dual presence in live performance and broadcast media positions her as a versatile figure in contemporary country music, while her background in music therapy and commitment to community roots keep her grounded in the places that shaped her career.