Megan Palmer

Biography

Megan Palmer is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has established herself as a distinctive voice in the East Nashville music scene. Originally from Ohio, Palmer began her musical journey playing violin from a young age, performing in the Coventry String Quartet in Cleveland starting in sixth grade. Her path as a touring musician began in earnest in 2002 when she was asked to join Canadian band Luther Wright & The Wrongs after an opening performance with Dan Dougan's band The Wahoos at Little Brother's club in Columbus. This touring experience from 2002 to early 2004 served as the catalyst for her songwriting career, as she began crafting the songs that would appear on her debut album.

Palmer released her debut album "Forget Me Not" on April 22, 2006, which was recorded across multiple sessions in Hamilton, Ontario and Columbus, Ohio with producer Jeff Ciampa and engineer Brian Lucey. The album was noted for its mature songwriting and attracted a substantial cross-section of Columbus musicians to participate. After establishing herself in Ohio's music scene, Palmer moved to East Nashville approximately 10 years ago, where she quickly became one of the most sought-after multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, backing artists such as Tim Easton, Amy Speace, Anne McCue, and Darrin Bradbury. Her musical style blends Americana and adult alternative influences, characterized by an austere, affectation-free vocal delivery and intelligent, deft melodies.

What sets Palmer apart is her unique dual career as both an artist and healer. A Registered Nurse for over 20 years, she currently works at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Palliative Care. This duality profoundly influenced her 2020 EP "Take Good Care," a five-song project she co-wrote with her nursing colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic to process the complex emotions of end-of-life care. The album, recorded at Bomb Shelter studio and produced by Andrija Tokic, features 1960s soul arpeggios blended with darker new-wave inspired elements. Palmer, also a breast cancer survivor, brings her experiences as both musician and caregiver into her songwriting, creating what has been described as healing music that embodies compassion and hope.

Fun Facts

• Palmer once played the wrong wedding with her sixth-grade string quartet, the Coventry String Quartet
• She co-wrote her 2020 EP 'Take Good Care' with her Palliative Care nursing colleagues at Vanderbilt, many of whom had never written a song before
• Palmer is a breast cancer survivor and compared the pandemic to receiving chemotherapy in her song 'New Way to Be'
• She plays violin/fiddle, guitar, keyboards, and sings, showcasing all these skills on her recordings

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Luther Wright & The Wrongs - Toured as violinist with this Canadian bluegrass band (Bluegrass version of Pink Floyd's The Wall) [2002-2004]
• Andrija Tokic - Producer for Take Good Care EP (Take Good Care (2020)) [2020]
• Jeff Ciampa - Producer who finished debut album (Forget Me Not (2006)) [2006]
• Jack Lawrence - Bass player on Take Good Care EP, member of The Raconteurs (Take Good Care (2020)) [2020]
• Megan Coleman - Drummer on Take Good Care EP, performs with Yola (Take Good Care (2020)) [2020]
• JJ Tourville - Guitar and pedal steel on Take Good Care EP, member of Deslondes (Take Good Care (2020)) [2020]
• Derry DeBorja - Synth and organ on Take Good Care EP, performs with Jason Isbell (Take Good Care (2020)) [2020]
• Tim Easton - Artist Palmer backed as multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (Various performances) [After moving to Nashville]
• Amy Speace - Artist Palmer backed as multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (Various performances) [After moving to Nashville]
• Anne McCue - Artist Palmer backed as multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (Various performances) [After moving to Nashville]
• Darrin Bradbury - Artist Palmer backed as multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (Various performances) [After moving to Nashville]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Valentine's Day in Nashville (Valentine's Day in Nashville)
2. Till the River Ends (Till the River Ends)
3. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)
4. Running On Love
5. Heartbreak (Nothing Is Sweeter)
6. I'm Doin' Fine (Nothing Is Sweeter)
7. Ohio Song (Nothing Is Sweeter)
8. One Man Show (Nothing Is Sweeter)
9. Nothing Is Sweeter (Nothing Is Sweeter)
10. Broken Record (Nothing Is Sweeter)

External Links

• Spotify