Middle Tennessee State University alumna and music artist Hunter Wolkonowski, who performs as HunterGirl, fulfilled a dream with her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, complete with a standing ovation.
“I’m so excited to be here. I’ve wanted to be on this stage my whole life,” she told the packed house inside the storied venue. “I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but it’s hard not to.”
Wolkonowski, whose stage name comes from a childhood nickname, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the Department of Recording Industry’s Music Business Program in 2020. Her passion for her career has inspired more than a few fans back at her alma mater.
Beverly Keel
“I am so proud of all that Hunter has accomplished since graduating!” said College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, who attended the performance. “She is writing her own hits, performing on stages everywhere and serving as a tremendous role model for our students. She is making the right career moves while building an impressive body of work.”
“She’s a super talented songwriter and performer, singer and musician. But most of all, she has a tremendous heart that comes through in everything she does,” said Daniels Center Director Hilary Miller.
Dr. Hilary Miller
Keith M. Huber
Surprising Wolkonowski on the Opry stage, retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, Miller and Keel presented the rising country star a personalized bomber jacket from the Veteran’s Center to celebrate her success and thank her for all her work with veterans.
“Her success in my mind was always a future fact as her audience grew and more listeners were touched and inspired by her songs. Her humble, pure heart is obvious to all,” said Huber, MTSU’s senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives. “It was my true privilege to be present at her Opry debut and to alert the audience as to her involvement with veterans.”
Middle Tennessee State University alumna and music artist Hunter Wolkonowski, second from left, who performs as HunterGirl, made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. She was presented a personalized bomber jacket from the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veteran’s and Military Family Center to celebrate her success and thank her for all her work with veterans. Making the presentation, from left, are College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, and Daniels Center Director Hilary Miller. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
Middle Tennessee State University alumna Hunter Wolkonowski, more commonly known as HunterGirl, performs a song during her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. The Winchester, Tenn., native and rising country music singer/songwriter came in second place on “American Idol” in 2022 and is an honorary professor in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
HunterGirl received a standing ovation after performing her debut single, “Ain’t About You,” and an unreleased song, “Clockworks.” She is the first female country artist in more than 30 years to write her radio single debut by herself.
“Songwriting is hard sometimes because it feels like you’re laying your soul out there and being your most honest self. Full honesty with y’all – y’all know me better than most people,” Wolkonowski said.
“I started singing when I was 3. My mom said I would sing about anything and everything — making up songs like, ‘I’m going to get some orange juice!’ That was my first one,” she said from the Opry stage.
HunterGirl is opening for Luke Bryan on his “Mind of a Country Boy” tour, which begins June 22 in Bristow, Virginia. She came in second place on the hit television show “American Idol” in spring 2022 and was named an honorary professor at MTSU in May 2022.
— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)
Middle Tennessee State University alumna and music artist Hunter Wolkonowski, who performs as HunterGirl, made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, Daniels Center Director Hilary Miller and College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel presented HunterGirl a personalized bomber jacket from the Veteran’s Center to celebrate her success and thank her for all her work with veterans. (Photo: James Cessna)
Middle Tennessee State University alumna Hunter Wolkonowski, more commonly known as HunterGirl, performs a song during her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. The Winchester, Tenn., native and rising country music singer/songwriter came in second place on “American Idol” in 2022 and is an honorary professor in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
Middle Tennessee State University alumna Hunter Wolkonowski, more commonly known as HunterGirl, performs a song during her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. The Winchester, Tenn., native and rising country music singer/songwriter came in second place on “American Idol” in 2022 and is an honorary professor in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
Middle Tennessee State University alumna and music artist Hunter Wolkonowski, second from left, who performs as HunterGirl, made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. She was presented a personalized bomber jacket from the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veteran’s and Military Family Center to celebrate her success and thank her for all her work with veterans. Pictured, from left, at the presentation are College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, Wolkonowski, retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, and Daniels Center Director Hilary Miller. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
Middle Tennessee State University alumna Hunter Wolkonowski, more commonly known as HunterGirl, performs a song during her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. The Winchester, Tenn., native and rising country music singer/songwriter came in second place on “American Idol” in 2022 and is an honorary professor in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
Middle Tennessee State University alumna Hunter Wolkonowski, more commonly known as HunterGirl, performs a song during her debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. The Winchester, Tenn., native and rising country music singer/songwriter came in second place on “American Idol” in 2022 and is an honorary professor in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)
MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, right, presents alumna and ‘American Idol’ finalist Hunter ‘HunterGirl’ Wolkonowski, far left, with an honorary professorship Tuesday, May 17, during a celebration of her successes outside the Oldham Theatre located on the public square of her hometown of Winchester, Tenn. Assisting with the presentation is MTSU associate professor of songwriting Odie Blackmon, second from left, and Andrew Oppmann, vice president for marketing and communications. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This year’s edition of Grand Ole Opry’s annual Salute the Troops celebration, again sponsored by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, featured not one, but two generals and two country music stars with ties to Middle Tennessee State University. Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, commanding…
WINCHESTER, Tenn. — In advance of her appearance in the season finale of “American Idol,” MTSU alumna Hunter Wolkonowski went home to Winchester, Tennessee, Tuesday, May 17, to bask in the love and support of her fellow Franklin Countians. Popularly known as “HunterGirl,” the 23-year-old country singer-songwriter will display her…
Celebrity judges unanimously assured a Middle Tennessee State University music business graduate that her career will “be forever” after she earned the runner-up spot in the “American Idol” finale Sunday, May 22. Hunter Wolkonowski of Winchester, Tennessee, who performs under her stage name “HunterGirl,” joyously completed her nearly 10-month journey…
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