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WHAT: Nashville recording artist Katie Byrd will play songs from self-titled album in full-band show.

WHEN: Thursday, beginning at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Rookies Pub and Grill

COVER: $10.

FOLLOW: Web: katiebyrdmusic.com; Twitter: @KatieByrdMusic

EVENT

Byrd flies West for winter

Nashville recording artist Katie Byrd is coming home.

The former Ripon resident returns to the stage at Rookies Pub and Grill on Thursday for the second time in less than a year for a full-band performance.

“Playing at Rookies is so much fun. It’s has a Nashville feel to it and is very welcoming.  Last time we had a great turnout for the show. I have a lot of support in the Central Valley and can’t wait for Thursdays show. It will be a great time.”

Byrd will perform songs off her self-titled album and likely borrow from a few of rock and country music’s iconic stars. In April, she dazzled a Saturday night crowd with Wynonna Judd and Skid Row cover songs.

Her album is available on iTunes and features seven songs, including “Two roads collide,” “Shrinking violet” and “I remember you.” Byrd lists Bonnie Raitt, Martine McBride and Judd as her musical influences.

“This album is an eclectic mix of a whole bunch of different influences. There isn’t a genre I could pigeon-hole the album into,” Byrd said in an interview with The Bulletin in April. “There is a rock influence, a blues influence and of course country.

“It encompasses who I am as an artist, which is unique in itself. I think I have a unique voice. My voice is unlike anything you hear on country radio right now, which I hope would be refreshing to people.”

Byrd was born and raised in Southern Missouri, where she won several talent competitions, and moved to California’s Central Valley after meeting her husband Jeremy Byrd, an Escalon native and former Ripon Christian football coach.

“We have such a huge fan base in Northern California. Just the support on Facebook, and people have been purchasing the album on iTunes – it’s cool to be back where there is a lot of support,” she said before her April performance. “I’m stoked about it.”

While her heart remains in California, her career beckoned in the country music capital of the world. The Byrds moved to Tennessee in March of 2012, hoping to build off the success she enjoyed in Missouri.

Byrd won the Ed McMahon Talent Search and was named the grand champion at the American Kids Nationals singing competition in 2002. By the age of 16, she was already in the studio recording an album.

She also performed on Jimmy Osmond’s American Jukebox show in Branson, Missouri.

Thursday’s show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Fans of all ages are welcome. For more information, contact Rookie’s Entertainment Director Chris Creek at (209) 824-2889.