Where there's a Willa...There's a Way! Diamonds & Whiskey front woman steps into the spotlight

Jennifer Lauren, a shy kid from western North Carolina, never imagined herself the front woman of an internationally touring band, but that's exactly where she found herself. Over the past 7 years, she has soared to incredible heights with her band, Diamonds and Whiskey. Fans have witnessed her evolution and the emergence of Willa May, her unapologetic, unbridled, and slightly unhinged alter ego. Willa has become the focal point of the group, and fans have fallen in love with her sass, humor, amazing talent, and most importantly, her huge heart.

Willa penned Diamonds and Whiskey’s 2019 album Heartbreak Queen. Produced by award-winning Dale Penner(Nickelback), the album received rave reviews with Nashville Music Guide calling it "the best rocking country album of the year". “Hands Down” brought Willa her first award, as it was named 'Single of the Year' at the 2019 Carolina Country Music Awards. “Muddy Water” reached #1 on the Euro ACM chart, along with "Sugarstick", "Keep On Keepin' On", "Back Country Voodoo" and "Walk Hard".

The 2019 and 2022 Carolina Music Awards "Band of the Year" winner has shared stages in support of many great acts, including Oliver Anthony, Travis Tritt, Florida Georgia Line, Sammy Kershaw, Love and Theft, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsey Ell, Jon Langston, Ashland Craft, Midland, Dustin Lynch, Thomas Rhett, Lee Greenwood, Chase Bryant, Lonestar and many more. She has continued throughout the past 2 years, headlining fairs, festivals, and venues, supporting major acts at county and state fairs, as well as gracing the main stages at Barefoot Country Music Fest, ND Countryfest, and Carolina Country Music Fest. 2023 saw her rise to new heights, with Willa becoming the Carolina Music Award's "Female Vocalist of the Year", and the Carolina Country Music Awards "Female Artist of the Year". With 2 cross country tours and 2 Europe tours behind her now, the sky is the limit. As Diamonds and Whiskey grew, so did support of Willa May. She became synonymous with the band, as the front-person, songwriter, and lead-vocalist. She's known for her outstanding character, as well as her incredible talent. With her album, produced by Chet Roberts(3 Doors Down), nearly complete, Willa May is ready to come out and play!

fun facts

places Willa's played

• London Palladium, London, UK
• SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, UK
• The Glasshouse, Gateshead, UK
• Hall for Cornwall, Truro, UK
• Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK
• Plymouth Pavillions, Plymouth, UK
• Outlaw Saloon, Cheyenne, WY
• Your Town Tour w/ David Lee Murphy
• Wisconsin State Fair
• 30th Visagino Festival, Visaginas, Lithuania 2023
• Little Sturgis Bike Rally, Sturgis, Kentucky, 2023
• Carolina Country Music Fest, Myrtle Beach, SC, 2019, 2021, 2022
• Barefoot Country Music Fest, Wildwood, NJ
• 77th and 82nd Annual Sturgis Bike Rally, Sturgis, SD
• Hillbilly Jam, Maggie Valley, NC
• The Substation, Seattle, WA
• Oktoberfest, Walhalla, SC
• South Carolina Bigfoot Festival, Westminster, SC
• Elevated Mountain Kickin' In The Sticks Festival, Maggie Valley, NC
• SW20 Virtual Spring Music Festival, South Wales
• South Dakota State Fair
• North Carolina State Fair
• Iowa State Fair
• Kansas State Fair
• The Substation, Seattle, WA
• Springboard Fest, Ocean City, CA
• House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
• ND Countryfest, New Salem, ND 2021, 2022
• VetFest Carolinas
• South Carolina State Fair
• Prohibition Hot Rod and Moonshine Festival, Wilkesboro, NC
• Blue, UK
• The Outlaws
• Sister Hazel
• Kool and the Gang
• Cooper Alan
• Oliver Anthony
• David Lee Murphy
• Darius Rucker
• Sammy Kershaw
• Midland
• Love and Theft
• Dustin Lynch
• Lonestar
• Thomas Rhett
• Chase Bryant
• Lee Greenwood
• Little Texas
• The Kentucky Headhunters
• Ashland Craft
• Jon Langston
• Lindsay Ell
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Gary Allan
• Jo Dee Messina
• Travis Tritt
• Florida-Georgia Line
• Keith Urban
• Ernest
• Blackhawk

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

• Carolina Battle of the Bands - Winner 2019
• Carolina Artist Showdown - Winner 2019
• Carolina Music Awards 2019 - WINNER - Band of the Year
• Carolina Music Awards 2022 - WINNER - Band of the Year
• Carolina Music Awards 2019 - Nominee for Female Artist of the Year
• Carolina Music Awards 2022 - WINNER - Female Artist of the Year
• Carolina Music Awards 2022 - Nominee - Rock Music Video of the Year
• Carolina Country Music Awards 2019 - WINNER - Single of the Year - Hands Down
• Carolina Country Music Awards 2019 - Nominee for Entertainer of the Year
• Carolina Country Music Awards 2019 - Nominee for Female Vocalist of the Year
• Carolina Country Music Awards 2022 - WINNER - Female Vocalist of the year
• Carolina Country Music Awards 2019, 2022, 2023 - Nominee for Country Tour of the Year
• Top 15 Finalist for US Band Single of the Year - International Singer Songwriter Association Awards
• SW20 Best Overall Performance - WINNER - UK Virtual Spring Festival 2020