Tami Neilson has been called a “fire-breathing R&B belter” (Rolling Stone) and a “full-tilt badass” (Saving Country Music), electrifying peers and fans worldwide with her powerful, emotive voice and riveting stage presence. A native Canadian who lives with her family in New Zealand, Tami grew up on the road, traveling North America in a motor home with her family band, The Neilsons. Today, she reaches into her own history with her latest single “Foolish Heart,” a song inspired by Roy Orbison. She met the late legend as a baby when her father’s band supported him on tour. The song’s lush string arrangements and soaring vocals call to mind the epic, countrypolitan sound of some of Orbison’s ’60s hits and was performed and recorded live in one take in one room. Tami is also releasing an accompanying video for “Foolish Heart,” also recorded in one take.

STREAM/ PURCHASE “FOOLISH HEART” HERE 

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “FOOLISH HEART” HERE

“I grew up with a photograph of Roy Orbison cradling me in his arms, tucked into the pages of my baby book,” she recalls. “I was just an infant when my Dad played a venue with him. When he met him backstage afterward, he asked if Roy would mind holding his new daughter while he snapped a photo of us. Roy’s face lit up with delight and he happily complied. I like to think of this moment as my true christening. A tiny dusting of his magic falling onto my bald little baby head, a seminal moment of musical destiny. Driving past his old house in Nashville, I felt a deep sadness, reflecting on the tragedy and heartbreak that plagued him in his short life and this song poured out of me. I named the demo ‘Orbiting Orbison’ — that’s as close as we can get to reaching his greatness.”

The video is meant to evoke the loneliness of the performing life — the life the audience never sees. “I wanted to capture a true-to-life moment that performers experience after they walk off stage from the applause and connection of thousands of people to being completely alone in silence as we remove the layers of artifice,” Tami explains. “It’s how we all feel when we can remove our brave faces and allow ourselves to fall apart and release the pain we carry. This is one take, made completely by humans, with their foolish hearts beating in their chests.”

NEON COWGIRL will be released on July 11 on Outside Music and features guests JD McPherson, Ashley McBryde, Grace Bowers, Shelly Fairchild and Neil Finn. Tami and her band joining Willie Nelson, and then Willie and Bob Dylan, on this year’s Outlaw Festival tour. She will also be playing Willie’s Fourth of July Picnic, and a few dates at The Grand Ole Opry. This month, Tami will be in Europe for shows in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Her huge, glorious voice and powerful live performances have won the admiration and support of some of country music’s biggest names and fans worldwide. Check this space for tour dates: https://www.tamineilson.com/tour

TOUR DATES 

*Outlaw Music Festival Tour 2025

WED 25 JUN – Franklin, TN @ FirstBank Amphitheater*

THU 26 JUNE – Nashville, TN @ Grand Ole Opry

FRI 27 JUN – Memphis, TN @ Radians Amphitheater @ Memphis Botanic Garden *

SAT 28 JUN – Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater *

SUN 29 JUN – Ridgedale, MO @ Thunder Ridge Nature Arena *

TUE 1 JUL – Oklahoma City, OK @ Lucky Star Amphitheater *

FRI 4 JUL – Austin, TX @ Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic

SAT 5 JUL – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion *

SUN 6 JUL – Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion *