When Bri Bagwell first decided to pursue music full time, there was no guarantee it would become a career. Fresh out of college and playing a handful of shows each week, she took a leap of faith.
“I kind of just dove headfirst,” Bagwell said. “I think I thought that if I were 21, there’s no better time in my life than right then to just give it a try. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
That leap of faith has paid off.
Today, Bagwell is one of the most decorated artists in Texas country music, earning recognition as Texas Female Artist of the Decade and collecting nine Female Vocalist of the Year honors during her career. She will bring her acoustic storytelling show to the Winnsboro Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. June 20.
Although she has spent years performing across Texas and beyond, Bagwell said the thrill of taking the stage has never faded.
“Oh my gosh, it’s the most fun,” she said. “When I get back with my band, I’m like, ‘I missed this so much.’”
For audiences unfamiliar with her music, Bagwell describes her sound as a blend of influences shaped by both Texas and her New Mexico roots.
“I definitely have kind of a mix,” she said. “I love traditional country. I’m also from New Mexico, so I have Spanish influence. We usually sing at least one song in Spanish each night.”
The Winnsboro performance will showcase a more intimate side of her music.
“This one will be all stories and songs, kind of stripped down,” Bagwell said. “I’m really excited. I love acoustic shows, too. It’s a whole different thing. This will have more of an acoustic singer-songwriter feel.”
Unlike many recording artists, Bagwell has built much of her catalog through original songwriting. She estimates there are only a handful of songs across five albums that she did not write herself.
“I just wanted to record my own songs, honestly,” she said.
Her songwriting has evolved over the years. Early in her career, she focused on beer-drinking and honky-tonk songs for Texas dance halls and festivals. Today, her writing reflects different life experiences.
“One is about getting older as a woman, and that’s definitely different than what I was writing at 21,” Bagwell said. “Right now, I don’t have a label or anybody telling me what I can and can’t write, so I’m just writing whatever I want.”
Among her most personal songs is “Old Together,” inspired by her relationship with her boyfriend. Another, “The Rescue,” tells the story of Whiskey, a dog she found abandoned on the side of the road in 2019.
“She’s the light of my life,” Bagwell said. “We’ve raised more than $8,000 for local dog shelters with that song.”
Bagwell credits a wide variety of artists for shaping her musical tastes, from Johnny Cash and Creedence Clearwater Revival to Selena.
“Selena is my queen,” she said. “I love everything about her.”
When asked what being part of the Texas music scene means to her, Bagwell became reflective.
“To be considered Texas Female Artist of the Year multiple times, or to consider some of those guys my peers and my friends, is more special than I can convey,” she said. “The thing that’s so special about the scene is that you really can write what’s important to you, and the fans support that.”
Now in her 15th year as a full-time musician, Bagwell views longevity as one of her greatest accomplishments.
“The first thing that comes to mind is having a career in music for 15 years,” she said. “I have to remind myself that it’s success. I just booked a show in April 2027. It’s like, ‘OK, we’re still doing this.’”
She also recently celebrated her 15th No. 1 song on the Texas charts.
Looking ahead, Bagwell continues to release new music while hosting her podcast, “Only Vans,” which recently reached the top 10% of podcasts worldwide.
As for her first performance in Winnsboro, she hopes fans will come experience the unique atmosphere of an acoustic evening.
“These acoustic shows are very special, different and personal,” Bagwell said. “I’m excited to play there. I’ve never played there before, so please come out and say hi.”