NASHVILLE, TN -- independent artist Hannah Bethel is celebrating a year of "firsts" in 2018. It has been a watershed year that saw her take the reins of her career, causing her artistry to rise to new creative levels and garner wider industry accolades and recognition for her musical talents.

In the summer, Bethel took a leap of faith and entered the recording studio with her producers Brad Hill and Lalo to record "Train," a song that she had written with her sister Wynter, and one that she believed would alter the course of her career. She then took the steel-willed determination and fire captured in the recording - and working with her own money and a vision, she traveled to the deserts of west Texas with producer and director Dawson Waters to film the cinematic and visually engaging music video for "Train."

Following her gut instincts has proven to be a wise move for Bethel in a year of "firsts" for her. The video for "Train" premiered on The Boot in October, and the single made its radio debut across multiple genre stations, including on Lightning 100, Nashville's long-running independent radio outlet known for playing groundbreaking Indie Rock, Pop and Alt Country music. Concurrently "Train" debuted on Music City's WSM Radio, arguably the definitive Country music station in America, when Bethel made on-air appearances on Nashville Today with host Devon O'Day and with Bill Cody on his morning show, Coffee, Country & Cody.

"Train" also caught the attention of Leslie Fram, SVP of Music & Talent at CMT and her staff. Bethel is currently in the CMT Music Artist Discovery, where she and her video are showcased across their broadcast, online and social media platforms throughout December and early January. "We are so excited to be supporting Hannah Bethel - she's a great storyteller. Take one listen to 'Train' and you will be singing it all day!" states Fram. CMT staffer Lauren Tingle also adds, "Bethel's unbridled spirit is on full display in "Train." Those statements perfectly sum up what the video is demonstrating to the world.

As a fitting cap to her year, on December 17 in a live acoustic performance at The Listening Room in Nashville, Bethel will be welcomed as one of the newest members of Song Suffragettes, a collective of some of the best and brightest established and rising female artists working in Nashville today.

The organization was founded to amplify the voices of women in music, and to date many of its members have secured recording and publishing contracts. Two of its leading members, Kalie Shorr and Savannah Keyes, have been tapped to co-host Let The Girls Play, a new daily feature on Radio Disney Country that highlights the latest news and songs from country music's top ladies.

If someone had told me last December all that I would have accomplished, the adventures I would have, or the healing I would experience this year, I would have found it hard to believe," Bethel says. "I am very grateful for all that can change in a year and everyone who has supported and loved me along the way."

In the new year, Bethel will see her hard work and determination come into even sharper focus. She will continue the recording of her forthcoming album, greatly expand her touring schedule with her band the Gypsy Queens, and draw from her well-spring of life experiences and inspiration to write additional songs that will propel her to the next level of her musical career.

After releasing her own self-recorded and released album, she moved to Nashville and began releasing further records. In 2012, her 3rd album 'The Freedom EP' got named the Independent Country Album of the Year, by Examiner.com. In 2015, 'Never Ending Sky' got recognized too with this feat too. By then, Bethal was being played internationally and being featured on major Country networks including; ZUUS Country, The Country Network, The Nashville Network, GACTV.COM, major retailers in the USA and currently part of a CMT.com feature.

Hannah Bethel has also recently become a member of the prestigious 'Song Suffragettes', who perform at The Listening Room Café in Nashville. She continues to perform with her own band and the Gypsy Queens, plus sharing stages around the USA with some of the biggest names in Country, including; Joe Nichols, Rodney Atkins, Trisha Yearwood, Charlie Worsham, Buddy Jewell, Frankie Ballard, Canaan Smith, Nine Days, plus many more.

Visit: https://www.hannahbethel.com/