Brandi Carlile

Profile Overview

Brandi Marie Carlile (born June 1, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and producer. Her music spans multiple genres, including folk rock, alternative country, Americana, and classic rock. During her career, she has received eleven Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, in addition to being nominated for an Academy Award. In 2026, she was named one of Time's Women of the Year.
As of 2025, Carlile has released eight studio albums. Her debut major label album, Brandi Carlile (2005), was released to critical acclaim. Carlile garnered wider recognition with her 2007 single "The Story" from her album of the same name. She later released Give Up the Ghost (2009), Bear Creek (2012), The Firewatcher's Daughter (2015), By the Way, I Forgive You (2018), In These Silent Days (2021), and Returning to Myself (2025).
Carlile has received three Grammy Awards for her work as a songwriter on Tanya Tucker's album While I'm Livin' (2019). She was the most nominated woman at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, receiving six nominations, including nominations for Album of the Year (By the Way, I Forgive You), Record of the Year and Song of the Year ("The Joke"). In 2019, Carlile formed an all-female quartet called the Highwomen with Amanda Shires, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby. The Highwomen released their self-titled debut album in 2019 to critical acclaim and commercial success, winning the Grammy Award for Best Country Song for the track "Crowded Table" in 2021.
Carlile has received two Emmy Awards. In 2022, Carlile won her first Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Program for the TV series We the People. In 2023, she received her second Emmy for Outstanding Original Song for a Preschool Program for the YouTube series Jam Van. In 2025, Carlile received her first nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for her writing and vocal contribution on "Never Too Late" with Elton John.
Carlile has been involved in activism and fundraising on various issues, including humanitarian aid, COVID-19 relief, racial justice, and LGBTQ rights.