Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby Leigh.
Hi Ruby, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in the tiny town of Foley, Missouri, with a population of around 68 people, and I started performing when I was just nine years old. Music was never something I casually pursued—it became a huge part of my life from a very young age.
By the time I was 18, I had performed more than 1,000 shows, often playing solo with just my guitar and a catalog of more than 300 songs committed to memory. Those years of performing anywhere and everywhere I could taught me how to connect with an audience, trust my instincts, and stay true to who I am as an artist.
At 16, my life changed when I auditioned for Season 24 of The Voice. I earned a four-chair turn and ultimately became the first runner-up in the finale. Since then, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to perform on some of the most iconic stages in music, including the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, where I received standing ovations. I’ve also performed the National Anthem for major sporting events, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, and during the NBA Playoffs for the Los Angeles Lakers.
But what means the most to me is that I’ve never had to fit neatly into one box. I’ve shared the stage with artists ranging from Jamey Johnson to Green Day, and in 2026, I became the first female country artist invited to perform at Vans Warped Tour. My journey has taken me from a town of 68 people to stages and audiences I once could only dream about.
Through all of it, I’ve tried to stay the same person who fell in love with music as a little girl. I’m still growing, still learning, and still chasing the next song and the next stage. I don’t know exactly where this road will take me, but I’m incredibly grateful for how far it’s already taken me—and I feel like I’m only getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been growing up in the music industry and learning how to navigate everything that comes with it at such a young age. I’ve heard “no” more times than I could ever count, faced rejection, criticism, and plenty of people who didn’t believe in me or understand what I was trying to do.
Coming from a tiny town of around 68 people also meant there wasn’t a clear roadmap for any of this. We didn’t have industry connections or someone opening doors for us. My family and I had to figure things out as we went, traveling countless miles, playing anywhere that would give me a stage, and making sacrifices that most people will never see.
There were times when I performed for almost no one, and other times when I wondered if all the hard work would ever lead anywhere. I’ve been underestimated because of my age, my accent, where I come from, and because I didn’t always fit neatly into what the industry thought a young artist should be.
But every struggle taught me something. Performing more than 1,000 shows before I turned 18 didn’t happen overnight—it came from years of long drives, late nights, missed experiences, and choosing music over a lot of things other kids my age were doing. Those challenges made me stronger, more grateful, and even more determined to stay true to myself.
I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding struggles. It’s about continuing to show up when things are hard, believing in yourself when others don’t, and never forgetting why you started in the first place. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the difficult parts, because they helped shape the artist and person I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Music has been my life since I was nine years old. I’m a singer, songwriter, and performer, but at the heart of it all, I think what I do best is connect with people through music. I’m known for my voice and for taking songs—whether they’re country, rock, bluegrass, or something completely unexpected—and making them feel like my own.
I’ve always loved the great voices and storytellers who came before me, artists like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Linda Ronstadt, and many others. But I also never wanted to be placed in a box. I’ve performed everything from classic country to rock and punk, shared the stage with artists ranging from Jamey Johnson to Green Day, and in 2026 became the first female country artist invited to perform at Vans Warped Tour.
I’m incredibly proud of everything this journey has given me. Becoming the first runner-up on Season 24 of The Voice at 16 years old, receiving standing ovations at the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, performing the National Anthem for the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, and the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA Playoffs—those are moments I will never forget.
But one of the things I’m most proud of is the work that happened long before those big moments. By the time I was 18, I had performed more than 1,000 shows and learned more than 300 songs by memory. I spent years playing wherever I could, often with just my guitar, learning how to read a room, connect with an audience, and make every person feel like I was singing directly to them.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t try to be anyone other than myself. I’m still the same girl from Foley, Missouri—a town of around 68 people—who simply loves to sing. I don’t use a teleprompter or notes onstage, and I don’t believe music has to fit into one category to be meaningful. Whether I’m singing a Patsy Cline song, performing with a punk band, or standing alone on one of the biggest stages in the world, my goal is always the same: to make people feel something.
More than any award, number, or accomplishment, that’s what I’m most proud of—the connection with the people who listen. If someone hears me sing and feels something real, then I’ve done what I came to do.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about the city is the people and the sense of community. No matter where my travels take me, I always appreciate places where people support one another, celebrate local talent and businesses, and take pride in where they come from. I’ve been fortunate to travel all over the country performing, and I’ve learned that what really makes a city special isn’t the buildings or attractions—it’s the people who give it its personality and heart.
If I had to choose something I like least, it would probably be that, like so many growing cities, sometimes that sense of personal connection can get lost in the busyness of everyday life. I come from Foley, Missouri, a town of around 68 people, so I’m used to a place where everyone knows everyone! But I also think that’s what makes me appreciate the energy, opportunities, and diversity of a city even more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rubyleighofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubyleighofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubyleighofficial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RubyLeighOfficial
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rubyleighofficial/
