With a voice that negotiates down-to-earth twang and melismatic pop, country-pop singer Gabby Barrett had her big break in 2018 when she reached the finals of the 16th season of American Idol. Her first country hit, "I Hope," followed in 2019.nnA native of Munhall, Pennsylvania, Barrett spent time writing and recording in Nashville as a high school student. Before auditioning for American Idol in Music City as a 17-year-old, she had also performed the national anthem at NFL and MLB games and opened tour stops for Toby Keith and Cole Swindell. Performing songs made famous by artists including Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, and Miranda Lambert, Barrett eventually made it to the finals of the 2018 season of Idol, placing third.nnIn mid-January 2019, she released the three-track EP Fireflies, following it a week later with the vengeful breakup single "I Hope." The song marked her debut on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. ~ Marcy Donelson