During the month of February of 1989, superstar Garth Brooks was just getting his start in the exciting world of country music. That was also the month that Emily Horton was born in the beautiful city of Meridian, Mississippi. Now Meridian is famous for losts of things like actress, Sela Ward, the home of Peavey Electronics, but it is known in the City of Nashville as the birthplace of the 'Father of country music,' Jimmy Rogers. On February 18, 1989, Meridian also became the birthplace of Emily Elise Horton.

Emily's parents, Edward Lee Horton and Betty Ann Rigdon-Horton hold a distant kinship with country superstar Johnnie Horton and his now famous, 'North to Alaska.' Little did they know that their baby girl (blond hair and blue eyes) would want to be a country singer by the time she turned seven. While her father worked at Delco-Remy (starter motor division for General Motors) and Betty worked at the community theater, their baby grew up wanting to sing. Maybe it was the fact that Emily had an aunt that was in Gospel music and sang with the Pearl Quartet, maybe it was the Baptist church they attended in Collinsville, but most likely it was the fact that Emily's grandfather on her mother's side worked as a Railroad Depot agent all those years. Somehow trains, mama, and love of country all go into making a great country music act.

While Emily's grandfather on her father's side served in the military during World War II in the Navy, he saw lots of singers, but country wasn't the strong hold it is today. In those days, there were only 300 country radio stations in the whole United States. Today, country music is one of the most popular formats at radio. And, it wasn't until Leann Rimes broke through with the song, 'Blue' that so many young people got into the country scene. Emily loved the country scene early. She took voice lessons from Tammy Miles and Kimberly Ann Cook and learned to belt out such hits as Honky Tonk Angels, Black Velvet and Crystal Gale's big hit 'Cry.'

The family left their roots in Meridian after 20 years and moved to a small community just outside of Nashville. Eddie took a job at the Saturn car manufacturing plant and Emily told their neighbors the reason they were moving to Spring Hill was to get closer to Nashville. Emily wanted to be a country music star. Emily's next door neighbor, who coaches new country music acts, took Emily on as a client. Soon she would make an appearance at a local karaoke place in Lewisburg, Tennessee called 'Cooter Brown's.' The owners of this local restaurant, 'Cooter Brown's' were from Meridian, Mississippi. It was through this marvelous coincidence that Emily and her vocal coach wound up in the office of veteran country hit maker, Robert Metzgar.

Upon arriving at Robert's office on music row, Emily decided to sing in person for the four time Producer of the Year. After hearing her sing, 'I Will Be There For You,' then and there they struck a deal to record this energetic twelve year old at Chelsea Studios in Nashville. She has just completed her first eleven song album in country music and while attending the local middle school in Columbia, Tennessee, she's also taking time out to promote her new career. The 5'3 sixth grader attacks country music like a 'tiger.' She literally takes a bite out of some of the greatest country songs ever. Just listen to the way she sings, 'Black Velvet' and hits the ending of the country classic, 'Cry,' and you'll see why she has already been compared to the legendary Tammy Wynette. So the nickname has stuck to her, 'Tiger' Horton.

Yes she has a brother named Jay and a sister named Mandi. She also watches her favorite television show, 'Full House,' and reads a lot. Her favorite country music influences are Brian White, Sara Evans, Faith Hill and Shania Twain. You'd never know it by looking at Emily, but her favorite food is pasta, she snacks on lemons, and drinks Sunny Delight. Like all of the new talent in the country music business,she loves sports. After softball, talking on the phone with her friends and getting her homework, she finds time to participate in her favorite pastime, singing country music. She has a dog named Scotty and a cat that lives next door called Rosco.

Her favorite actors are Jim Carey and Julia Roberts. Her real wish is to open for George Strait's MCA/Universal tour this summer. Short of that, she's just glad to be one of the most caring, and loveable twelve year olds you'll ever meet. The eleven song album she has completed has some of Nashville's top songwriters and session players. In fact, the credits look like the 'Who's Who of Country Music.' Emily is no crossover 'wanna be.' She's pure country to the bone. If you want to hear country like it ought to be sung, and feel the emotion of great country songs from the heart, then pick up a copy of Emily Horton's latest album. For further information contact: Emily Horton Fan Club, Box 1266, Spring Hill, TN 37174 or email Emily at