Courtesy Photo Chevel Shepherd
Las Vegas, N.M – Rising country music artist Chevel Shepherd, winner of the 2018 “The Voice” competition, will perform April 27 at 7 p.m. in Highlands University’s Ilfeld Auditorium at 900 University Ave.
Advance tickets will go on sale April 1 at the university’s radio station KEDP-FM, 901 University Ave., Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.
A native of Farmington, New Mexico, Shepherd was just 16 in 2018 when she won NBC’s 15th season of “The Voice” competition. Country music star Kelly Clarkson was her mentor for the show, telling reporters in a press conference after Shepherd’s win that “Chevel made her performance of ‘Broken Hearts’ last night pure country and it was beautiful.”
Rolling Stone magazine said of Shepherd, “The raspy-voiced singer stunned ‘The Voice’ judges with her renditions of old-school country hits like Loretta Lynn’s ‘You’re Lookin’ at Country’ and modern classics like Kacey Musgrave’s ‘Space Cowboy’ and LeAnn Rimes’ ‘Blue’.”
Online entertainment magazine Uinterview wrote that throughout “The Voice” competition, Shepherd “surprised the world week after week and has effortlessly taken on country legends from Loretta Lynn to LeAnn Rimes.”
Shepherd, who has been singing since she was 2 years old, told Rolling Stone that during “The Voice” competition, “I got to show different sides and personalities. I got to show the ‘sassy side’ and the ‘feisty side.’ I got to show the ‘slow-tempo’ ballad side. That’s my goal: to show people everything I have in store.”
Chevel also told Rolling Stone her dream is to start putting out her own original country music.
“I want to start writing my own songs and make albums,” Shepherd said. “I want to tour across the country spreading my love and passion for music. I want to live my dream and hopefully show others that anything is possible.”
Donna Martínez, Ilfeld Auditorium and KEDP radio manager, said the Chevel Shepherd concert is an exciting opportunity to hear a talented young rising artist in the country music industry.
“Chevel Shepherd is a native of New Mexico and it’s a privilege to have her perform in Las Vegas at Highlands University,” Martínez said. “The acoustics in Ilfeld are excellent and will showcase her versatile voice.”
Tickets for reserved seating in the lower tier are $50, reserved seating in the lower balcony is $40, and general admission tickets in the upper balcony are $30. Tickets are free for New Mexico Highlands students with current university ID. Doors open April 27 at 6 p.m.
The Arts @HU initiative is sponsoring the Chevel Shepherd concert. For more information, contact Martínez at 505-454-3238.