Yes, Tanya is the daughter of legendary outlaw country singer David Allan Coe. A noteworthy artist in his own right, he also wrote career-defining #1 hit songs for both Tanya Tucker and Johnny Paycheck. (You can look them up.) I say all this only so you don’t think that her name is a take-off on that Miley Cyrus TV character. Dad wrote about naming his daughter in the song “Tanya Montana.” Tanya was an obvious nod to Ms. Tucker, and the middle name had to do with her eyes that were “as blue as the skies of Montana.”

All her life, Tanya Montana Coe has been quite determined to succeed and is not afraid to take chances through change. After working her way through an Accounting Degree at MTSU, she eventually left a comfy corporate job to open the way cool Goodbuy Girls clothing shop in East Nashville that she still runs today.

Making music was next. Starting her career later in life, it was not until 2015 when she released her debut record “Silver Bullet” which she put together with the help of our friend and her boyfriend, Shane Tutmarc (aka Solar Twin).  Performance-wise she done a few stints as an opener for some country artists in addition to her own shows at the local clubs.

Layering a smooth ethereal pop sound over songs rooted in country, Tanya is making music that is catching a lot of attention. The new single “Electric Blue” is a real ear-grabber and Tanya is high on my list of artists to watch out for in 2018. It’s a treat to have her sit down to take hold of our 11 Questions.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I was born in Nashville, TN on August 30, 1986. My family moved around a little bit from the time I was two to seven, but I ultimately moved back to Nashville when I was seven and I have lived here ever since.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

If I remember correctly, the first CD that I bought was whichever Deana Carter album had “Strawberry Wine” on it (editor: “Did I Shave My Legs for This?”).  I wore that song out. No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom was a close second. My boyfriend got me a sweet vintage console record player a few years ago for my birthday, and that has made holiday gifting a breeze, because there are always more records that we want to add to the collection. The last album he got me on vinyl was Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

Obviously, the first live concerts I saw were my Dad’s, but the first live concert that I remember choosing to go to was Incubus at the Bridgestone Arena when I was in high school. The last concert I saw was Lana Del Rey at the Bridgestone just this last month.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

Are my eyes playing tricks on me? I don’t see Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Roger Miller, Jerry Reed or Tammy Wynette. Ugh, I could keep going for a while.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Well, Bongo Java is just around the alley from my shop, so I go there a few times a week. On my off days, I really like Umbra Coffee in Gallatin, just a beautiful space, and I love the Square. And as far as pizza, Italia Pizza & Pasta has had my heart for about eight years now, and they have been very accommodating to my recent vegan diet.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

I have a lot of friends that make great music and albums in this city, so to avoid favoritism, I’m going to say, Tanya Montana Coe’s debut album, Silver Bullet, and Solar Twin’s debut album, Pink Noise, are pretty dope ones.

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Home! I’ve been a vegan for several months now, and I love it so much, but the late night eating out options are pretty much nonexistent.

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

Shane Tutmarc (not just because he is my BF, OK?), Kelsey Waldon (love “High in Heels”), and my girl Brianne O’Neill of Black Moon Mother because I love watching her sing.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The OG Basement will always be one of my favorite venues to see and play music, I love the intimacy.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here?

I don’t know if I would wish Nashville on any of my musician friends. Ha ha!

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

I just released a new single called “Electric Blue” that is available for download only. I have a few more singles almost finished and plan to roll them out over the next few to several months in the hopes of releasing a full second album within the next year or so.