RENEE COALE WILLIS

Renee’ Coale Willis is a gifted songwriter with a sweet, soft southern voice. Her style of songwriting is a blend of heartfelt traditional country with a hint of native-Texan attitude. Renee’s musical stylings are wide-ranging, but all of her songs carry with them a deep sense of family, faith, and growing up a rancher’s daughter. Renee’s first cut, “Life Can Turn On a Dime,” was featured on Rick Trevino’s debut self-titled album, which went platinum. After catching the attention of five-time Grammy Award winner Brent Maher, producer of the Judds, Renee’ was signed to Maher’s publishing company, Moraine Music Group. She has written with Allen Shamblin (Randy Travis’ “He Walked on Water”, Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”), Austin Cunningham (cuts by Trisha Yearwood, the Judds, Pam Tillis), and Brian Maher (Danielle Peck’s “Here’s to Finding A Good Man”).

Originally from the small south-Texas town of Blessing, Renee’ was raised in a musical family. One of her earliest memories goes back to when she was just four years old. She learned the song “Jesus Loves Me” while wrapped up in her grandmother’s arms in an old rocking chair. Renee’s grandmother was one of the biggest influences in her musical career. “She’s in heaven now, but I still feel her love all around me – especially when I sing.”

Renee’s parents were also very instrumental in her early musical pursuits. Her mother encouraged Renee’ and her siblings to sing and play musical instruments at a young age. Her father was always present and helped at every singing event. Renee’ and her siblings formed a 4-H band in high school called “The Warehouse Sound Company,” named after the equipment warehouse they practiced in on her family farm. Renee’s band performed at rodeos, fairs and civic events all over Texas.

Musically, Renee’s influences are diverse. Her appreciation for style ranges from Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton John, Sonny James, Hank Williams and George Strait to John Denver, James Taylor, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Perry Como and Henry Mancini’s Orchestra. “I just love great music and unique-sounding artists. I like to describe my music as centered on down-to-earth realities, inspired by what links me to others in our experiences of family, friendship, faith, work and love. Although these are common emotions, the ways they are lived out and expressed are as unique as the people they are tied to. It’s that God-given uniqueness in each situation that I like to explore in my songwriting.”

A Trinity University graduate, Renee’ Coale Willis currently lives in San Antonio with her husband of 22 years and their three daughters, who bring Renee’ great love and inspiration.