Page Mackenzie & Elizabeth Covington Set To Play Riverfront Revival

Singer Songwriters & Charleston Natives Pursuing Country Music  Dreams From Different Avenues

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

Lowcountry local music lovers may be familiar with singer songwriter Page Mackenzie. The 32 year old songstress and Charleston native has been a regular on Charleston area stages for several years. However, to further her career in contemporary country music Mackenzie relocated to Music City USA in 2016. page4

"Charleston is my home, but Nashville is the epi-center for country music. I moved here eight years ago to pursue my dream. If you want to gain traction in this industry you need to be here." 

As a solo artist she's made several in-roads since hanging her cowgirl hat in Nashville, bouncing back and forth to Charleston as opportunities presented themselves. In 2017 Mackenzie was the winner of the 'Battle to the Beach', which provided her the opportunity to perform at the annual Carolina Country Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, joining alongside superstars Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and Charleston's own Darius Rucker.

Opening gigs for Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina continued to keep her name out there. Furthermore her 2021 single 'House' found its way onto CMT.com, with her latest release 'She's Gonna Kill Me' proving she's an ideal blend of pop, rock, and country music. With her solo successes intact Mackenzie recently took a leap of faith by joining the celebrated up and coming all girl group July Moon, alongside founding members Piper Bateman and Braelyn Wattjulymoon3 1

"I'm the newest member of the band. I joined earlier this year. I met Piper in a writer's group many years ago and we've been friends ever since. Jokingly, I mentioned to her, if anyone ever left the band I'd welcome joining. I was a fan of the band and their music from the beginning."

Page adds, "I didn't want to push anyone out, rather I wanted it to be a natural progression. It just so happened one of the girls wanted to pursue a solo career, so Piper and Braelyn asked me to become a member. It's been a good fit."

Based in Nashville, July Moon draws influences from today's country music females as well as classic rock bands such as Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles, gaining attention from media outlets such as Taste of Country, All Country News and Holler. Watching from the sidelines before joining, Mackenzie says it's a testament to Piper and Braelyn, beginning the journey in the throes of COVID.

"I wasn't in the band when they first started up, but I've watched the evolution of July Moon from the outside looking in. Obviously, starting up a band or any business during COVID was daunting. Not having a track record they were able to develop who they wanted July Moon to become during the downtime the pandemic presented. They were able to fine tune the band before they started to play live."

Mackenzie adds there's nothing but positives to take from joining the band. "The upside is, I came into something that had already been influenced musically. All of us come from different backgrounds, but creatively we work together. Everything flows together."

julymoon2 July Moon has been compared to the Pistol Annies (Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, & Angaleena Presley) and Lainey Wilson (the current first lady of country). "Truly, I look up to a lot of those artists. They continue to pave the way for women in country music. And I believe country music is prime for another wave of strong females." 

Songs like 'Champagne Plans', 'You Think You Know Someone', and 'Whiskey Drinking Woman' prove July Moon are versatile while being dialed into today's country music scene. The trios latest single 'The Highway' was released this past summer. The straight ahead up-tempo song is receiving rave reviews and available on several streaming formats. "It's doing well and a great song to perform live."

julymoon1Lowcountry country music fans will have a chance to see Mackenzie and July Moon when the ladies play the Magnolia Stage 5pm at the Riverfront Revival on Friday Oct 11th. The Tedeschi Trucks band are headliners on opening night.

In it's third year the two day Riverfront Revival is the brainchild of Darius Rucker, with he and his former mates Hootie & the Blowfish headlining the festival Saturday night. Fellow 90's bands Collective Soul, Sister Hazel, and Arrested Development join Hootie on Saturday's lineup.

"Darius has created an incredible music festival that celebrates American music, rock, country, and alternative. And it gives local and regional acts the opportunity to play in front of larger audiences, and get their music out there."

Page adds, "I was originally scheduled to play the festival as a solo act, but when I joined July Moon we talked with the promotors and got them to add the band to the show. I'm honored to be taking part, obviously because I'm playing in front of my hometown, but even more so to introduce July Moon to Charleston."

For July Moon it's been a slow and steady upward climb. "We're gaining momentum. We've done shows with The Wallflowers and sung with Lee Brice." Page admits the hardest part is self promotion. "It's crazy, but like a lot of new artists we're doing it all independently." For more on July Moon visit the site at https://www.julymoonofficial.com/  and for more on Page Mackenzie visit https://www.pagemackenziemusic.com/ 

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Nearly a decade younger, 23 year old singer songwriter Elizabeth Covington is doing her best to make it in the recording industry, focusing on her own brand of country music. The Charleston native graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2023 focusing on art direction and creative writing, which she feels has helped further her musical career, as was her move to NYC last year as well. covington5

"I moved to New York a little over a year ago. After I graduated SCAD I wanted to do something different, a little out of my comfort zone. But I wasn't ready to be on my own. I had friends moving to New York, so I thought why not." She adds, "It's been a dream of mine to call New York home since I was a little kid. It's just such a vibrant city." 

Typically not a country music town, Covington admits she had to beat the street to find clubs that would allow her to play. "It wasn't easy. I had to go to these venues and talk to them in person. Let them know who I am. New York is more an indie rock and punk music capitol, and I'm more Americana and country."

She was able to find a few locales where she could shine her light. "There are country music fans in New York, but not that many clubs that embrace the genre. I just looked up places you could play live. Fortunately I found some success at Rockwood Music Hall, but even more at Desert 5 Spot (Brooklyn) where I was able to get to do some live shows."

Covington is soaking in the whole upstart singer songwriter experience, thriving in the heart of the NYC entertainment community, where legendary rockers and folk singers emerged. "I live in the village." It's where the likes of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Joni Mitchell grew their own careers. "I may be young, but the singer songwriter in me appreciates artists like that. I like artists that can tell a stories in their songs, people like Patti Smith." Desert 5 Spot celebrates a little country and rock n' roll at https://www.desertfivespot.com/

While Covington pursues her passion, often singing weeknights and weekends in the Big Apple, she has a day job to pay the bills. "Fortunately I was able to find employment in the field I went to school for. I work in entertainment brand marketing with a company called Get Engaged Media." Based out of Atlanta and founded in 2016 Get Engaged Media partners with some of today’s most relevant brands, platforms, and talent. "It's a good fit for me." covington2 1

Thankfully Covington will be able to carry her job over when she makes another move early in 2025. "I've enjoyed my stay in New York, but now it's time to make the right move. My plan is to relocate to Nashville in February of next year, and test the waters there. My company does a lot with country music so it's going to be a win-win for me."

It was however in Charleston where Covington began to pursue her musical career, playing the usual haunts including The Windjammer. "Bobby Ross (owner) is a friend of the family." Covington is also close to Windjammer talent buyer Scottie Frier. "He's played on some of songs and with me. Honestly I have such a strong connection to The Windjammer. It's really my favorite place to play and hangout in Charleston."

Covington's overall panache is genetic. "I'm pretty artsy overall. I get it from my mom who has always had a flair for fashion and interior design. My mom is my superhero." Covington's mother Holly Thompson is a principal owner in The Thompson Group, a full-service luxury real estate brokerage and lifestyle company based in the Abacos island of the Bahamas.

She goes on to say, "When my mom re-married (2013), my stepdad (Christopher Thompson) was really big into real estate development. So I've been fortunate to spend time in the Bahamas as well as growing up in Charleston. Discover the elegant difference at https://www.thethompsongroupbahamas.com/eng

As if she wasn't blessed enough, Covington grew up and went to school with Darius Rucker's daughter Daniella. "I love her. She's one of my best friends." She adds, "And Darius has always been very nice to me and supportive of my music. Our families are very close."

It's perhaps that family connection that has provided Covington a coveted spot on Rucker's annual Riverfront Revival. The annual music festival founded by Rucker brings together a variety of established and up and coming artists over a two day period, focusing national, regional, and local artists. Covington is slated to perform on Saturday Oct 12th.

"Actually this will be my third year performing at the revival. I'm really honored to be among the talent showcased, and thrilled to be playing in front of my home town." Covington goes on to say, "This is a really cool music festival Darius puts on. Not just that he allows smaller acts to perform, but the revival embraces so many different genres."

Most of Covington's songs are ballads. Among the few available on streaming playlists are 'Time Again', 'After 12', 'Nana', and  'I Love U', as well as the more up-tempo 'Sleepovers On the Phone'. "I do tend to write a lot of ballads. They come more naturally to me. 'Sleepovers' is the closest attempt to any pop song that I've ever written, let alone recorded." covington1

Is her songwriting observational or personal? "I'd say it's a little of both. I like to read a lot, but I actually just can't sit down and write a song. They have to come to me, whether I'm driving or walking on the street. Most of my lyrics stem from what's going on around me."

She says she'll be performing one of her more cherished songs at the Riverfront Revival. "One of my recent favorites is 'Prove Me Wrong'. I wrote the song a while back, but it's one of those songs that states the obvious." The track has gained momentum on TikTok, with all of her music available on Spotify, Shazam, and Apple Music formats.

Does she have any newer songs in her arsenal. "I've been recording live takes at a place up here. There are six songs I might put out as an acoustic EP (extended play)." Jokingly she adds, "I've got a million songs in my back pocket. Honestly it's more like a hundred songs that I'm working on, but in my head I'm always kind of writing."

Although Covington loves her day job she'd rather be performing. "For sure. Hopefully the move to Nashville is a step in the right direction." Time will tell. aaaaaaaarfr232 1

 Lowcountry fans of Covington can see her perform at the Riverfront Revival on Saturday afternoon, when she takes to the Magnolia Stage at 1pm. "Can't wait. Love to play in Charleston. All my family and friends will be there. It's always good to return home." For more on Elizabeth Covington with links to her music visit https://ecoviedit.com/