Shining Rae is the stage name for Shannin Watkins, a Magnolia native who graduated with honors from Louisiana Tech University in 2006 and moved to Baltimore for a job as a clinical lab scientist at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Last summer, Watkins’ melodic kiss-off “Dreaming” won the monthly Artists Access competition on OurStage.com. The prize was a mentoring session with industry vet and former Sony Music EVP Bruce Tyler, who has advised John Legend, Beyonce, The Fray among many others. Now based in Little Rock, Watkins has released a digital EP and two singles of catchy, soulful pop. Her songs range from sultry ballads to ear candy of the sweetest sort. Her single “Sugar” will get stuck in your head for days.
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