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Check out Donna's newest Original, "Divided We Fall"

  • Home
  • Bio
    • Bio
    • Song Credits
  • Albums Lyrics & Credits
    • Somewhere In Time
    • Same Old Me
    • Gaining Wisdom
    • Hellos Goodbyes
    • From The Heart
    • Fly
    • Gospel & Originals
    • Burning Bridges
    • Latest Originals
    • New Raw Originals
  • Barn Quilts
  • The Barn
  • Video
    • Red Oak Tree
    • Naomi Wise
    • Shows
  • Top Dog Realty
  • Appearances
  • Photos
    • Musical Journey
    • Pets
  • Listen
    • Spotify
    • Pandora
    • Soundcloud
    • You Tube
    • Amazon Music
    • Tidal
  • My Farmhouse
  • Albums & Lyrics

Donna's musical journey

Hilltop Studios

Tony Rice, listening back to some of the newly recorded tracks for "Gaining Wisdom."

Tony Rice

Tony Rice, recording tracks on Donna's Album, that he produced.

Donna & Tony

Donna is truly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with, and have her music recognized, by such a legend.

Reviewing material

On stage with Tony at IBMA

Tony & Donna, reviewing her original songs, deciding which songs to record for "Gaining Wisdom."

On stage with Tony at IBMA

On stage with Tony at IBMA

On stage with Tony at IBMA

Donna had the enormous opportunity to open many shows for Tony, and was even able to share the stage with him on occasion!

Tony Rice & Sam Bush

On stage with Tony at IBMA

On stage with Tony at IBMA

Tony asked Sam Bush to play on a few tracks of "Gaining Wisdom."

Looking Back...

Donna was on cloud 9 to get to open so many shows for Tony all over the Nation.

Hilltop Studios, Madison, TN

It was remarkable to rub elbows with such legends, between recordings.

Ken Irwin, Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Tim Stafford.

Bias Studios, Washington, D.C.

Tony warming up. Wyatt Rice looking on, as they prepare to record more tracks for "Gaining Wisdom." 

Backstage before the gig..

Donna often got to hang backstage with Tony & Peter Rowan, during her years of opening their shows. 

Variety Playhouse, Atlanta GA

Tony on stage performing.

Donna at the Playhouse

Donna, opening for Tony Rice at The  Variety Playhouse, Atlanta GA.

Harmony with Sonya

Sonya Isaacs sang lots of Harmony on Donna's "Gaining Wisdom" Record & on her "Hellos Goodbyes & Butterflies" Record. Posing here with Sonya & Carl Jackson.

Donna on stage with Barry Bales at the Lil John's Music Festival in Snow Camp, NC.

Donna with J.D. Crowe

J.D. produced Donna's 4th Album on Rounder Records, "Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies."

Vocal Sessions

J.D. was very strict as a Producer, and sometimes Donna had to sing a single line so many times, she felt like she had swallowed a handful of razor blades chased down with kerosene. Donna is grateful for the opportunity to have been pushed to be her best, by this Legendary man!

Hilltop Studios, Madison, TN

The "Hellos Goodbyes & Butterflies" recording cast: Scott Vestal, Aubrey Haynie, J.D. Crowe, Barry Bales, Brian Stephens, Maggie Stephens, Steve Chandler, Adam Steffey, Joel Keys, Rob Ickes.

Steve & J.D. at Cracker Barrel

Donna learned that J.D.'s favorite Restaurant to hit after sessions was Cracker Barrel.

The Comedians

J.D. Crowe & Steve Chandler kept everyone laughing in the Studio.

Playback time...

Listening back over tracks they just recorded: Scott Vestal, Aubrey Haynie, Barry Bales, Scott Vestal, J.D. Crowe & Steve Chandler.

J.D. listening to Donna's material

Cutting up!

J.D. & Scott Vestal

J.D. & Steve, listening

J.D. & Steve, listening

J.D. & Steve, listening

Barry Bales

Adam Steffey

Adam Steffey

Adam Steffey

Scott Vestal

It was difficult or J.D. to be still long enough for a photo. lol

Scott Vestal

Rob Ickes

It was difficult or J.D. to be still long enough for a photo. lol

Scott Vestal

It was difficult or J.D. to be still long enough for a photo. lol

It was difficult or J.D. to be still long enough for a photo. lol

It was difficult or J.D. to be still long enough for a photo. lol

Donna & J.D. Crowe

 "When we wrapped up the recording of Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies, JD & I sat down & watched the Superbowl together on the Recording Studio TV, which was smaller than a TV dinner. All we could see were tiny dots that looked like flies, lol. I will never forget that. To think that a man would give up an opportunity to watch a Super Bowl on a bigger TV for my little record, well...is just the coolest."

Barry Bales

Barry listening back to his bass notes.

Reviewing material

Reviewing material

Jenee Fleenor

The Galt House, Louisville KY

Reviewing material

J.D. had never heard of Jenee prior to this session. Needless to say, after this session, she got a lot more work from J.D.!

She went on to become the CMA Musician of the Year, 1st Female to ever win, & won multiple times!

Donna & Sam Bush

The Galt House, Louisville KY

The Galt House, Louisville KY

Donna was overwhelmed with joy to open a few shows for Sam.

The Galt House, Louisville KY

The Galt House, Louisville KY

The Galt House, Louisville KY

Shortly after Donna received a handwritten note in the mail from Alison Krauss, thanking her for allowing her to record one her songs, she then met Alison for breakfast at The Galt House in Lousville, KY.

Breakfast with Alison

Over breakfast Alison gave Donna a burned CD she made of her brand new unheard tracks for an upcoming Album (that she would go on to win a Grammy for), that included a song Donna wrote.

Backstage at Lil John's Music Festival, Snow Camp, NC

Backstage at Merlefest with Jim Lauderdale

Richard Childress & Donna Hughes

Donna had the opportunity to play several private parties for Race Car Giant Richard Childress.

Gene Watson & Donna Hughes

Donna opened a show for Gene Watson in her Home State of NC.

Donna & Buddy Cannon

Donna, Steep Canyon Rangers

Donna & Buddy at IBMA. Buddy & his daughter Melody sang harmony on a few tracks for the Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies Album. (Buddy produces Kenny Chesney & Willie Nelson.)

Donna, Steep Canyon Rangers

Donna, Steep Canyon Rangers

Donna opened for the Steep Canyon Rangers at the White Water Rafting Center in Charlotte.

Singing with Amanda Smith

Donna singing Harmony with Amanda at a show in PA.

Emylou Harris

Donna got to meet Emylou!

Carl Jackson

Carl Jackson helped co-produce Donna's Album "Gaining Wisdom."

The Birchmere, Alexandria VA

Donna opened for Marty Stuart at a Premier Dinner Club & highly coveted venue near Washington, D.C. called "The Birchmere."

Joe Diffie

Sonny Osborne

One year at IBMA, Donna got to open for Joe Diffie.

Sonny Osborne

Darryl Singletary

Sonny Osborne

Donna & Sonny at IBMA.

Darryl Singletary

Darryl Singletary

Darryl Singletary

Backstage at CMA Fanfest.  Donna was one of the 1st Artists to play the Bluegrass Stage, and backstage she bumped into Darryl.

Pam Tillis

Darryl Singletary

Darryl Singletary

Donna with Pam backstage at Merlefest.

Radio Interview

Donna preparing to do a Radio Interview at IBMA.

Alison Krauss

Alison, always supportive of her writers, stopped by The Station Inn the night of Donna's Gaining Wisdom CD Release.

Writer's Round

Donna, playing a Writer's Round at The Red Light Cafe' in Nashville with Carl Jackson.

Del McCoury Band

Donna opening for Del McCoury at the Isothermal College.

Marty Raybon

Donna with Ronnie Bowman

The Bluebird Cafe' , Nashville TN

The Bluebird Cafe' , Nashville TN

Donna played at The Bluebird multiple times through the years.

Bluebird Cafe'

The Bluebird Cafe' , Nashville TN

Songwriting Workshop

Donna has done many Songwriting Workshops around the Country, including this one at IBMA one year with Tim Stafford of Blue Highway.

FOX WGHP News

FOX WGHP News

WGHP FOX 8 hosted several live concerts online during the shut down of 2020. Donna was excited to be a guest performer!

Recording Session, Same Old Me

Greg Luck, Zak McLamb, Clay Jones, Donna, Adam Steffey & Scott Vestal

Playing a Festival near Portland, Maine

Merlefest

Gettysburg Festival, PA

Station Inn, Nashville, TN

Radio Cafe', Nashville TN

Station Inn, Nashville, TN

Station Inn, Nashville, TN

Robert Lee Castleman, Paul Craft, Carl Jackson doing a Writer's Round

Station Inn, Nashville, TN

Station Inn, Nashville, TN

Station Inn, Nashville, TN

One of the many times Donna performed at The Station Inn.

Playing with The Grascals

Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee GA

Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee GA

The Grascals are well known for having played frequently with Dolly Parton.

Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee GA

Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee GA

Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee GA

Biterroot, Montana

Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee GA

Biterroot, Montana

Randy Kohrs, among others, on state with Donna in Montana. Randy is a Grammy Winning Engineer/Producer/Performer who has played with greats like Dolly Parton, Jim Lauderdale & others.

Donna was awarded the key to her Hometown, (Trinity, NC) by the Mayor,  the Late Jessie Hill.

Thanks  to all the DJ's for your support & airplay through the years!

Copyright © 2025 Donna Hughes - All Rights Reserved.

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Check out Donna's New Song "Divided We Fall"

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