CMT’s 2021 Next Women of Country honoree Priscilla Block broke into the honky-tonk scene in the midst of the global pandemic, leaving her to connect with fans and other singer-songwriters virtually.
Now that restrictions are lifting, she has a long-running list of musicians she would like to mingle amongst.
Block recently rattled off some names like Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, and most importantly, her primary musical influence Kelly Clarkson to Taste of Country Nights host Evan Paul.
“Obviously, this whole thing happened in the middle of a pandemic, so I really haven’t been able to meet the people that I’ve looked up to for a long time,” Block told the publication. “But I know one day it’s gonna happen. I’m just gonna freak out and pass out and be the total fangirl. There will be no chill,” she added.
On Thursday, February 17, the powerhouse vocalist had the opportunity to check the artist behind the early 2000s hit “Since You’ve Been Gone” off her bucket list. While maintaining her excitement, Block appeared as a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show to perform “My Bar” and to promote her debut record, Welcome to the Block Party.
Following Clarkson’s grand introduction, the budding songstress strutted out in complete disbelief. While getting comfortable on the couch beside the hitmaker, Block looked into Clarkson’s eyes and declared how “obsessed” she is with her as a person.
The multi-platinum artist showered Block with complements and gushed about her recently released 12-track collection. Clarkson also declared that Block was previously placed on her musical radar.
Absolutely unreal…. Today was so special being on the @KellyClarksonTV huge thank you to @kellyclarkson for making me feel super comfortable, even though I was freaking out welcome to the block party baby! pic.twitter.com/8zTxRbggtb
— Priscilla Block (@priscillablock) February 17, 2022
“I was literally listening, and I was like ’who is this?’” Clarkson said while also sharing that she went in full investigator-mode on Spotify and simply fell in love with Block’s happy-go-lucky “vibe.”
After the two expressed their love for one another, the artist sparked a conversation around her rapid rise to fame and the struggles several musicians face while pursuing their craft in the ten-year town. Block opened up about her musical journey and publicized that she contemplated putting down the guitar and giving up on her dream at one point.
“I’m this young girl… I’m 18-years-old, and I have no clue what I’m going, where to start, and I’m about a year into town,” she confided in the talk show host about her dark moment in Nashville. She continued to confess that she felt like she was “crumbling.”
Therefore, Block would pick up the phone and vent to her sister. Her family would remind her daily that it would be okay to head back home to Raleigh, North Carolina, and it wouldn’t signify failure.
While toying with the decision, the universe gave Block a sign to stay in Nashville and to continue striving for success.
“I was leaving work, and I was wearing this Taylor Swift t-shirt, and she was just driving by and saw me standing there and was like, ’hey, I love your shirt,” she told Clarkson while reminiscing on the pinch-me-moment. “It was crazy, I’m like quitting my job, I’m quitting school, and I’m going to go figure this out. I don’t know how to do it, but I’m going to figure it out,” the breakout artist added about the interaction that impacted her career.
Swift’s simple presence and kind gesture gave Block the confidence she needed to persevere. Shortly after the encounter, she garnered a loyal fan base of over 1.2M followers on TikTok, released her life-changing single “Just About Over You,” and scored a record deal with UMG Nashville’s Mercury Nashville.
Absolutely insane… three billboards in Nashville. Thank you @youtubemusic, @amazonmusic, @Spotify this is so special… y’all tag me when you see em! pic.twitter.com/7tRRkrMVve
— Priscilla Block (@priscillablock) February 15, 2022
Block is currently on her first headlining tour, but will shortly take a break to perform at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in late February. The TikTok star turned country musician is also in the running for New Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards.