 Everybody knew when Paducah, KY native, Sondra Rankin, was just a small child that she could sing. "Six years old and she could do more than just carry a tune, she could captivate her audience!" There wasn't a doubt in anybody's mind that even at such a tender age, she was going to be a star some day!
Sondra can still remember her fourth grade music teacher wanting her to sing. She'd bring in her favorite K. T. Oslin tapes and sing to her hearts' content in front of the entire classroom. Her teacher asked her to be in the variety show later that year, which gave her a hands on experience with a microphone and better yet, a REAL audience! She was hooked on the spotlight from that moment several years ago until now. Her fifth grade year in Elementary school brought on a strong desire to play the guitar, so Santa brought her one that Christmas! She would sit down and make chords for hours, never making any sense, but loving every moment! Sondra still remembers being the leading role of Cinderella in her sixth grade play singing, "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes", and wishing all too well that she could make her dreams come true.  It wasn't until she reached her early teens that she realized how much she wanted to play and sing. Even though she was leading an extremely busy life; Varsity Cheerleader, Vice-President of the FFA, (Future Farmers of America), and an outstanding "A" student, Sondra still made time for her music and singing. Amongst her busy schedule of school and friends, she still loyally made her once a week guitar lesson. Her instructor, Scottie Henson, would patiently work with her and direct her, seeing the talent she had. With her first lesson she was playing along with her (mentor) Patty Loveless tapes, with the second, she was writing her own material! Scottie was also the house "banjo picker" at the local Kentucky Opry Show, in Draffenville. He insisted she enter the annual talent contest, which she did, and won, beating out over 200 contestants. This win also landed her a position to sing regularly with a band, giving her much needed experience. Within the next few months, Sondra had begun traveling all across the great state of Kentucky singing, and playing at fairs and talent shows, coffee shops and special events. She made regular visits to sing on the "Live at Libby's" radio broadcast show in Daysville, and "The Lincoln Jamboree" in Louisville, where she was a local favorite. During this time period, she had made her first trip to Nashville, singing with the house band of Wade Hayes at the then known "Gilley's". It wasn't too long thereafter, she was in a local studio recording her first album, all cover tunes, but all necessary to prepare her for the road ahead.
 With the graduation of high school and the starting of college gave Sondra a new opportunity to grow as an artist. She studied music theory and was striving for a degree in the fine arts. She performed musicals in college, Shakespeare and more, capturing her audience and practically breathing the spotlight. During this time she had met a man in Nashville, who gave regular music seminars and organized showcases for out of town people trying to break into the music business. Sondra had performed in a couple of his shows, one at the The Wildhorse Saloon, and one where she met a wonderful musician and studio owner. Not only did he and Sondra make instant friends, but she had found a companion. Although it broke her heart to leave her loved ones, she moved from her home town in Paducah, to further chase her dream where it counted most, Nashville, TN. At the time, July of 2000, he was touring with the world famous rock group "Toto", (Rosanna, Hold the Line, and Africa), where he was touring globally. He took Sondra with him, where she was able to see most of the world at only the age of 20. Not only did she gain the prestige of being with THE most well known musicians on the planet, but it was brought to her attention how life really was on the road. She was made aware of the many stresses, but the mighty pleasures of entertaining far out weighed any bad made from it.
 She spent several months after arriving searching for the perfect songs. There were meetings with publishing companies and hundreds of songs to listen to, until she'd found the ones that fit her image the most. In May of 2000, all the best players in town mounted up and cut what Sondra is pitching right now to all the labels. She spent a year perfecting the tracks and getting the most ultimate sounds, finding the perfect photographer, Russ Harrington, and making the right connections. With the production skills of Shannon Forrest, and great musicians such as Brent Mason, David Hungate, Larry Franklin, Sonny Garrish, John Willis, and Mike Johnson, (just to name a few), helped make Sondra's project as wonderful as it is.
Currently, Sondra is touring on a professional fishing trail as a Co-Angler for the FLW. She is working diligently to make her mark not only as an aspiring Nashville recording artist, but as a professional angler she's so always dreamed of being. She is also fishing on the WBFA, women's pro tournament trail, and will be touring that circuit when her schedule allows.
 Sondra through all, has never forgotten her roots, nor will she ever! She's still the country girl that she once was. The girl who bow hunts, bass fishes, and shoots skeet just as good as the rest! She may have come to the city to make it big, but they'll never take the country from the girl. Her favorite pastime is still fishing the lake with her daddy, waiting for that next big bass! She has every intention to be the next OLN, woman of the outdoors, and the very next sensation you watch on CMT. She has the dedication and experience needed to make her dreams come true. A faithful Christian with guidance from above, she continues to use the talent God has granted her. She will not stop anywhere through her journey until she's grabbed the stars she's reached for since a young adolescent. Sondra Rankin is The New Girl in town....be ready....here she comes!
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