Women have been instrumental in making Loudoun a world-class culinary, wine and craft beverage destination. But talented female artists are also behind the county’s dynamic and thriving music scene.

 

This Women’s History Month we profile five Loudoun singer-songwriters hitting all the right notes.

 

SELA CAMPBELL

 
 “I like performing in Loudoun. There’s no shortage of kind and welcoming venues that want to see you succeed."

 

Loudoun fans of American Idol should tune in to the current season to hear supremely talented local girl Sela Campbell, 17 – a senior at Loudoun County High School, Leesburg. A singer-songwriter in the tradition of Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton, Sela has played guitar since she was five, singing since she learned to talk and working the Loudoun music circuit since she was 11.  “I like performing in Loudoun. There’s no shortage of kind and welcoming venues that want to see you succeed. I am so grateful for every venue that has supported me and put me on their stages.” Sela was named best musician in Loudoun County by the Loudoun Times Mirror in 2023 and just released her first single called "One Track Mind" on all streaming platforms.“I am a huge fan of old country music. I was raised listening to old country music on my back porch with my daddy and my mama. The first song I ever learned to play on guitar was Jolene by Dolly Parton. I try to emulate an old country sound.”

 

Sela Campbell - American Idol

LILLIAN HACKETT

 

"I love playing Loudoun. There's such a diverse range of venues to choose from, from the laid-back vibes at local breweries and wineries to the bustling energy of restaurants and bars, something for every mood." 

 

Incredibly, Sela Campbell was not the only Loudoun schoolgirl to make it to the latter stages of American Idol this season. Lovettsville resident Lillian Hackett, a junior at Woodgrove High School, auditioned in front of celebrity judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry in Nashville after making it through earlier rounds. Influenced by Americana and country music – her distinctive voice is reminiscent of Florence & The Machine, Neko Case and Sierra Ferrell – Lillian started playing guitar at age 10 and performing at age 12 on the local circuit as well as in Battle of the Bands at Tally Ho, Leesburg. “I love playing Loudoun. There's such a diverse range of venues to choose from, from the laid-back vibes at local breweries and wineries to the bustling energy of restaurants and bars, something for every mood. I like soaking in the community spirit at farmer’s markets, too. I'm especially looking forward to playing at Tally Ho in April where I'll be opening for the Low Water Bridge Band.” For a glimpse of her unique voice and style, listen to her incredible original song, Tennessee.

 

Lillian Hackett

JULIANA MACDOWELL

 

“I love everything about Loudoun,” said MacDowell. “It’s a community of people who honestly genuinely care for one another and we feel we are riding a wave of something amazing for the future of the county being a mini-Austin for singer-songwriters.”

 

Leesburg resident Juliana MacDowell’s soulful Americana draws from rock, pop, blues and country and has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim from Loudoun to Nashville to Key West. When not touring or recording, she can be seen performing solo or with the band Jules & The Agreeables at venues such as Creek’s Edge Winery and The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards in Loudoun. She is a frequent headliner at the annual LoCo Musicians Festival at 868 Estate Vineyards.  “I love everything about Loudoun,” said MacDowell. “It’s a community of people who honestly genuinely care for one another and we feel we are riding a wave of something amazing for the future of the county being a mini-Austin for singer-songwriters.” Her most recent album, 2003’s Big Old Yellow Moon was produced by Nashville legend Bil Vorndick who has also produced Alison Kraus, Bela Fleck and James Taylor.

Juliana MacDowell

TRACY HAMLIN

From country and Americana to soul and jazz. Sultry Baltimore-born, Loudoun-based songstress Tracy Hamlin fuses the boundaries between jazz, soul, R&B and dance music. Hamlin has recorded five solo albums and achieved multiple Number 1 hits in the UK and Europe. Classically trained, she has performed with the likes of Carlos Santana, Esperanza Spalding and Chaka Khan and was lead backing vocalist for disco queen Gloria Gaynor on many of her international tours. Hamlin is the founder of the eponymous Sweet Jazz Festival that will take place at The National Conference Center, Leesburg on April 19-20. The festival will feature performances from Hamlin as well as appearances by jazz artists Marcus Anderson, Karen Briggs and others. Proceeds from the event go to scholarships for aspiring young musicians.

 

Tracy Hamlin

 

MELISSA QUINN FOX

Award-winning Purcellville singer-songwriter Melissa Quinn Fox has been compared to country artists Miranda Lambert and Carly Pearce and to rock musicians Natalie Merchant and Stevie Nicks. “I started singing in my children’s choir in church when I was 5 years old and I never stopped,” she said. Quinn Fox is a regular on the Loudoun music circuit, performing at wineries, breweries and local festivals, but she holds a special spot in her heart for MacDowell’s Brew Kitchen where she played her first show with her new band in August 2020. “It rained but the crowd didn’t care. They all just danced and sang along, and it was the most incredible feeling.” Quinn Fox won three awards at the 2023 Wammies – the Wahington Area Music Awards- for Best Country/Americana artist, Best Album and Best Song and has opened for big-name national acts such as Brad Paisley and Chase Bryant. You can catch her at numerous Loudoun venues in March and April as well as at the inaugural Songbook Fest Loudoun, which will take place May 24-26.

 

Melissa Quinn Fox