Rising Singer Songwriter Set To Release New Album & Opening For Keith Urban's 'High and Alive World Tour'

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer 

Although she has a couple of EPs to her credit, country music fans may not be as familiar with Karley Scott Collins as they are with other young female artists. However, she's hoping all that will change in 2025. Just 25 years old, the rising Nashville singer songwriter is set to open for Keith Urban on his 'High and Alive World Tour', with her first full length album 'Flight Risk' set for release in late September.

A Lake City, Florida native Collins began acting at age six, appearing in a handful of movies and TV shows prior to discovering music. Whether it was a twist of fate or the entertainment gods re-aligned, a casting call that required a young actress to play guitar lead her down a different path. 

"I was auditioning for this role at nine years old. I was up against two other child actors, but I needed to play guitar, so we got one and almost from the moment I began learning how to play, I knew my career was headed in different direction." She adds, "When I had a guitar in my hand, and I began learning how to play chords, I realized this is what it's like to be passionate about something."

Not long after she would start writing songs, honing her skills on the guitar by her teenage years, ultimately deciding country music would be her primary focus. "I was raised in the south, so it's always been in my blood. It's probably the first music I listened too growing up. So when I started writing I just sort of fit into country music."

Although she's labeled as a country music artist, Collins admits she's 'a little bit country, and a little bit rock n' roll'. "I'm kind of a little bit of everything actually. It has more to do with how I was raised. When my dad would drive me to school he'd listen to rock music. He was into bands like Guns n' Roses, Alice in Chains, and Pantera. Hard driving guitar sounding music."

Collins goes on to say. "When I was with my Nana, she was all about country music. She absolutely loves classic country music. More than anybody, she helped grow my appreciation for country music, so much so she bought me stacks of records from older artists to listen too. I think I became a country artist because of my Nana, and maybe developed as a writer because she's a good storyteller."

On her second EP 'Write One' (2024) with Sony Music Nashville Collins paid tribute to her Nana, with the well received track 'Marlboro Reds'. "That's absolutely about my Nana. She and I would sit around, basically bonding while she told stories and enjoyed a smoke. I think a lot of people have a Nana who smokes." 

Released last year 'Write One' offers up several noteworthy songs including the title track featuring Keith Urban, as well as the soulful ballad 'Heavy Metal', and the up-tempo 'How Do You Do That' with Charles Kelley from Lady A. "I'm very proud of that record, and how well the songs have been received."

Collins first EP with Sony came back in 2022 on 'Hands On the Wheel', with the mid-tempo ballad 'Heavenly' making Nashville take notice. For all those who have suffered through bad breakups, her debut single offers a hope. "It's definitely a relationship song. I was just kind of thinking about how I had been through several that were not what I wanted, and were going nowhere. And I wondered what it would be like when I had a relationship that was everything I needed. That's how that song came about."

As she's done on many of her songs, including the upcoming full length album, Collins wrote 'Heavenly' with respected Nashville record producer Nathan Chapman, whose body of work extends to Kylie Minogue, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, and Taylor Swift. "Nathan is the best. He's believed in me from the very beginning. He understands all the artists he works with. And I think he knows a good song from a bad song."

Chapman's inclination was evident last year on Collins' song 'Write One'. "He said to me, 'you know who would love this song?' Keith Urban. I laughed and then he said, 'no really, I just sent it to him'. Keith replied almost immediately and said he loved it, and if they needed someone to do backup he'd love to be a part of the song." 

Collins adds, "My aunt loves him, and she may have been the first to introduce me to his music. And now here he is in the studio recording alongside of me. It was the first time we met. Everything about it was a bit surreal, and it wouldn't have happened without Nathan. He knows everybody in country music."

It was Urban who later in 2024 (June 26th) would invite Collins to make her Grand Ole Opry debut. "The Opry is one of the most special places on earth. My Nana would talk about the Opry during our times together. When you walk on that stage and you step inside that circle so many emotions run through you."

Collins has been back four times since her first appearance. "It's more than just being on that stage. It's everything that takes place backstage. There's a whole lot of love and bonding between artists taking place behind the scenes. You feel like you're part of a family when you're performing at the Opry."

For younger country music artists there are two cherished bucket list items to check off. While they are in no specific order, they are performing at the Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, considered the 'mother church' of country music. Because Collins is a little bit 'rock n' roll', she got to open for legendary female guitar rocker Joan Jett at the Ryman.

"A really cool moment for me. Because I write and record songs that lean towards country and rock music, I'm able to pick songs that fit the audience I'm performing in front of." Collins can also add opening for country music icon Willie Nelson. "Everything is falling in place. I am so blessed."

2024 was definitely a coming of age year for Collins. CMT (Country Music Television) named her among the 'Next Women of Country'. "When I first moved to Nashville I had a list of goals. I'm a big fan of CMT. They do a good job of celebrating all that female artists bring to country music. I'm really grateful to have made their list last year." 

CMT is usually right on track with their predictions. With Collins about to take part on a huge tour and her album set for release in September it appears she is moving full steam ahead. Announced May 21st 'Flight Risk' offers up a few previously released songs. Among the 16 tracks include 'American Boy', 'Runner', and 'Heavy Metal', all available on streaming services such as Spotify.

The new album once again partners her with Chapman, however in a much bigger role. "I'm a co-producer on 'Flight Risk'. I even engineered several of the tracks. I want my first big time record to reflect who I am, and my journey in country music." Talk about dedication, she and Chapman played just about every instrument on the album. I picked up the banjo, violin and bass during the sessions. I've poured my heart and soul into this album."

To celebrate the upcoming release, Collins will drop her new track 'Cowboy Sh!t' Friday (May 23rd). Collins co-wrote the gun-slinging, driving single with Sam Backoff and KK Johnson.

As she's done all along, Collins co-writes every song she records, and is especially fond of ballads. "I love a good sad song." How does she approach songwriting. "I've lived out every song, whether it's something that has happened to me personally, or to a friend or a relative. That's what makes country music so real. We speak the truth through our music and fans resonate with the lyrics."

Collins will tour as an opening on Keith Urban's 'High and Alive World Tour 2025' along with Alana Springsteen and Chase Matthew. The very same tour comes to Charleston at Credit One Stadium on Saturday May 24th. "I'm looking forward to playing in Charleston, and on Keith's entire tour." It's not her first time playing Charleston. "I was there a couple a years ago. I played at the Music Farm."

Without question it appears Karley Scott Collins is going to leave her mark on 2025. "That's the plan." She's talented, a gifted songwriter, and respected among her peers in Music City. At 25 she has a long career ahead of her. For more on Collins visit https://www.karleyscottcollins.com/ and for more on the show visit
https://creditonestadium.com/event/keith-urban-high-and-alive-world-tour/