Yes, despite what you may have heard, Nashville is still the birthplace for new Country music. Witness the fine new record, “My Time Now” from St. Louis transplant, singer-songwriter Stephanie Rabus. While she still travels back home to front local St. Louie faves, Borderline, Stephanie has also been drawing them in Downtown on Lower Broadway.

Give a listen to “Falling Deep in Love Again” from the new record. It’s a winner with a sound and spark that balances the fresh with the familiar! The rest of the LP is streaming at all the usual places and if you are an old-timer like me, you can even find one on CD at her online store.

If you happened to live in Missouri, keep an eye out for Stephanie and Borderline and I’m sure some gigs of her own will be popping up soon here at home. Thanks, Stephanie, for paying us all a visit!

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

I was born in St. Louis, MO and raised in Southern Illinois. I moved to Nashville at first in 2009, had to move back home for two years and returned in 2011 and have been here ever since. I moved here to pursue my dream of having a successful music career.

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

The first record I ever bought was Martina McBride’s The Way That I Am in 1994 when I was 13 years old, with babysitting money. The last one was Taylor Swift’s Red in 2012 in CD form. Since then, I have mostly just been streaming music on Apple Music and Spotify. The last one I downloaded to my library was Maren Morris’ new album Humble Quest just today actually!

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

My first live concert was Martina McBride at Six Flags in Eureka, MO. in 1995. The last one was last summer in Hillsboro, MO at the Jefferson County Fair, and it was Jerrod Niemann, when I got to open for him with my band Borderline.

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

Connie Smith and Dierks Bentley.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Five Points Pizza in Nashville is a great one, and Just Love Cafe in Brentwood for coffee!

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

It’s hard to pick a favorite record to come out of Nashville, but I will say that I wore out Martina McBride’s first eight albums, especially Evolution as well as Keith Urban’s Golden Road and Shania Twain’s Come on Over. 

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

The Diner on Third Avenue is a great place to eat late night after a show!

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

Three local songwriters whom I think are amazing and would be honored to do a round with at Bluebird Cafe are Becca Rae Greene, Bill DiLuigi, and Rachel Thibodeau!

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

On Broadway, the Stage is a great venue. As well as AJ’s Good Time Bar. I also love Music City Bar and Grill in the Music Valley area. I’d love to play the Listening Room one day.

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

There are two artists from back home (St. Louis area) who are great: Dale Papp and Ethan Jones.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

I would love to continue writing and releasing original music, playing shows, and being very active on social media. It would be amazing for it to lead to a major record deal, but I am content with making a good living doing what I love and hopefully impacting others with the stories my songs tell and entertaining them at shows and online!