Michelle Sheetz[1] (born February 9, 1970), better known as Danni Leigh, is an American country music singer.[2] At age 19, she relocated to Orlando, Florida, intending to audition as a singer at Disney World, but ended up moving to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1994.[3]

Danni Leigh
Born
Michelle Sheetz

(1970-02-09) February 9, 1970 (age 54)
Occupations
  • Singer
  • businesswoman
Years active1998–present
SpouseMike McKenzie
Children1
Musical career
OriginNashville, Tennessee, US
GenresCountry
Instrument(s)Vocals
Labels

She was signed with Audium Records,[4] after changing labels several times,[5] following Decca's closure, and her by Sony's Monument label.[6] Although she has limited success in the US, she has had more success in Europe due to the different methods consumers learn about new music.[5] Over time, she has also developed a following in Korea, Brazil, and Japan.[7] In 1999, she was nominated for the Rising Star Trophy, a British Country Music Award.[8] In 2001, she released A Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer.[9]

Leigh has also performed a number of small gigs in the Austin, Texas, area,[10] where she moved in 2002.[11]

As her career declined in the US, Leigh later moved again, this time to Spain, many years later and performed elsewhere in Europe and Asia. She even reached the rest of South America. During the tours, she met and eventually married her bandmate Mike McKenzie.[1] The couple returned to Nashville in order to restart her career, but the birth of her only child, a son, in 2010 led her to emphasize both motherhood and becoming a businessperson. Leigh then moved with her husband back to Strasburg, Virginia, her birthplace, where she started her boutique-cum-fitness studio in 2018 and opened another in Winchester.[1]

Discography edit

Albums edit

Title Album details Peak positions
US Country[12]
29 Nights 75
A Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer
Divide and Conquer
Masquerade of a Fool
  • Release date: May 14, 2007
  • Label: AGR
Walkin' On A Wire
  • Release date: June 10, 2022
  • Label: BFD/Audium Nashville
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles edit

Year Single Peak chart
positions
Album
US Country[13] CAN Country
1998 "If the Jukebox Took Teardrops" 57 58 29 Nights
1999 "29 Nights"
2000 "Honey I Do" 59 83 A Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer
"I Don't Feel That Way Anymore" 56
2001 "Sometimes" Divide and Conquer
2002 "House of Pain"
"Last Train to San Antone"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos edit

Year Video Director
1998 "If the Jukebox Took Teardrops" Guy Guillet
1999 "29 Nights"
2000 "Honey I Do"
2002 "Sometimes" Roger Pistole

As guest musician edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Country musician singing a new tune, opens downtown business". The Winchester Star. August 23, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  2. ^ "Danni Leigh". AllMusic. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  3. ^ "Danni Leigh: Biography". CMT. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  4. ^ Jerry Renshaw (July 21, 2001). "One More For Her". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Joel Bernstein (March 2001). "Danni Leigh No Worries with a 'Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer'". Country Standard Time. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  6. ^ Michael Gray (April 2, 2001). "Sony Deals Danni Leigh a Parting 'Shot'". CMT. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  7. ^ Edward Morris (April 4, 2000). "Danni Leigh Is Off to a Second Start". CMT. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  8. ^ "British Country Music Awards". CMT. February 24, 1999. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  9. ^ "Danni Leigh Takes Shot At Country Big Time". MTV News. July 2, 2000. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  10. ^ Christopher Gray (August 27, 2004). "Bombs Over Baghdad". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  11. ^ John T. Davis (October 4, 2002). "Immigrant Song". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  12. ^ "Danni Leigh - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  13. ^ "Danni Leigh - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2016.

External links edit