Live from Desert 5: Candi Jenkins

CANDI JENKINS is an up-and-coming roots artist making a name for herself with classic yet modern songwriting that blends traditional country, Appalachian bluegrass, and Americana. As Candi puts it, “I couldn’t find the type of country I wanted to hear, so I started making it myself.” Though she claims Lexington, Kentucky as home, her roots also stretch through Louisville, southern Indiana, Canada, and Southeastern Kentucky. After moving to Kentucky, Candi found a deeper connection to her Appalachian heritage, saying, “Appalachian music is in my blood in a way that is beyond surroundings. It is a part of me.” She explores that connection in her song “God Don’t Care.” Candi has quickly built momentum on the road, opening for acts like Clay Street Unit and Andy Frasco, with upcoming shows alongside Benjamin Tod. She appeared at South by Southwest in 2025 and Luck Reunion in 2026. Currently, Candi is recording her debut album with Andrija Tokic at The Bomb Shelter. New music from the record is set to be released this summer. With a growing social media presence, prolific songwriting, and magnetic live performances, Candi Jenkins is steadily building a loyal fanbase and emerging as a fresh voice in modern roots music.