Krystal has been singing as long as she can remember and is the only reason her parents listen to country music. Krystal had her own taste in music from an early age when she caught a snippet of Alan Jackson on the radio. From then she was hooked on steel guitar and lyrics that painted a picture of the humble truths of life. After years of bouncing on her bed singing Shania Twain, playing with a toy guitar, and singing songs she had written to her dog, Krystal's parents bought her her first guitar. Krystal took off learning chords to play her favorite songs and soon began to craft and write her own. Krystal, originally from Hickory, NC, has been on a musical journey leading her to her current residence in Nashville, TN. Krystal is a strong believer in the power of music to heal hearts and communities. Because of this belief, Krystal works during the day as a psychiatric music therapist. When she is not working, Krystal is writing and playing music at the downtown honkytonks and other local venues, as well as, traveling to spread her music to a larger audience. Krystal is set to release updated demos in early 2019 and is also currently working on her first EP in which she hopes to record original material from both solo and co-writes. Krystal's sound is as quirky as her person and she is not afraid to show some honest humor in her material such as "You had me at Double Wide" and "You're the Reason That I Drink." Krystal pulls her inspiration from classic and outlaw artist's such as Willie and Loretta as well as the modern likes of Miranda Lambert, Jennifer Nettles, and Chris Stapleton to result in a twangy blues of her own.

This week's first hour guest is Nicole Reese on The Midnight Madness Show.

Carrie Hassler's amazing voice, highly entertaining performances, and numerous #1 albums and singles have garnered great attention over the last several years. She has received the Country Song of the Year Award by Strictly Country Magazine and appeared on the cover of Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine, among numerous other recognition. She also garnered the #1 country single, "Country Strong" on European country radio and several #1 albums and singles on bluegrass music charts here in the U.S.

Carrie will soon begin recording her highly anticipated new album, but you can hear her on the 2011 IBMA Award nominated album, "The All-Star Jam Live At Graves Mountain" project (featuring Lonesome River Band, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Audie Blaylock & Redline, Lou Reid and Carolina, Mark Newton, Carl Jackson, Crowe Brothers, Carrie Hassler, and Brand New Strings. The CD includes the 2011 IBMA Recorded Event of the Year" nominated song, "Graves Mountain Memories featuring: Russell Moore, Sammy Shelor, Audie Blaylock, Carrie Hassler, Lou Reid, Mark Newton and more. The album also picked up two other nominations, another one for Recorded Event of the Year and also Instrumental Recorded Event of the Year.

Carrie jumped on the scene late in 2006 with the release of "Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain" album on Rural Rhythm Records. The album was produced by Jim VanCleve of the band Mountain Heart and received immediate success debuting at #11 on Billboard Top Bluegrass Top Album Chart (retail sales) and spending nine months in 2007 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey Top 15 Album Chart (airplay).

Just over a month after the initial album release, the single “Seven Miles From Wichita” hit the #1 spot on Sirius Radio’s Bluegrass Top 40 and went on to spend 10 months on the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Single Chart and was also a crossover in country radio as well. While that single was still charting, another single, “Going on the Next Train,” hit the same chart and appeared until January 2008. Yet another track, the gospel bluegrass song “Least That I Can Do” spent a year on Bluegrass Now Magazine’s Gospel Truths Chart.

In 2008, Rural Rhythm Records released her second album, "CHHR2" again produced by Van Cleve. The album made its debut at #5 on Billboard’s Top 50 Bluegrass Chart (retail sales)and climbed the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 15 Album Chart along with many other charts. The first single, “I Can Go Back Anytime” hit #1 on the May 2009 Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 with the second single, Faith & Hope also hitting the #1 spot on Power Source Magazine’s Top 10 Bluegrass Songs.

She has also been honored by her hometown of Pikeville, TN where the Mayor presented her with the Key to the City and proclaimed “Carrie Hassler Day."

Carrie has been influenced by a wide range of talents including Sheri Easter, a gospel singer who tinged her music with some bluegrass sounds along with the gospel message; Etta James, Patsy Cline, Dale Ann Bradley and Alison Krauss. "To this day, I remember the people I looked up to and I hope to make the same kind of mark in lives as these women did in mine," said Carrie.

"In the House" at the Grinder House is broadcast live on WFMC Jams every Friday from 6-8pm central.