Shantel’s debut singer, “Break My Heart.” Photo provided by Derailed Development

BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Country music’s newest star Shantel was born in Clarkston, and made her name in sports before making the move to Nashville.
Shantel Uballe was a cheerleader and played varsity softball at Clarkston High School, leading her team to win districts the spring of 2009. The 2009 CHS graduate was an All-League, All-District, and All-Region Softball Team honoree, and played for the Michigan Dream Softball Team and at the collegiate level with Oakland Community College.
She grew up in Clarkston with her parents Nathan and Heather Uballe, her sister Ava Uballe, and brother Nathan Uballe, who was also big in Clarkston sports, taking the varsity football Wolves to states and winning the championship in 2017.
Shantel would sing on bus trips to games and competitions, and also in a children’s choir at church. She was much younger when she started developing her musical talent, though.
“I remember one time sitting in the back seat of the car, singing along to an Ashlee Simpson song, when both my mom and dad turned around and they’re like, ‘that sounded pretty good,'” said Shantel in a phone interview.
It was just a couple years ago when she got into the country music scene. She was visiting Nashville, Tenn., with friends, her first visit to the Music City.
They were walking down Broadway when they stopped at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, a country music institution and world-famous honky-tonk.
“I asked to sing with one of the bands and they let me up,” Shantel said.
The hiring manager for Tootsie’s was there, and he offered her a job on the spot. She and her husband, Dan, who she was recently married to at the time, had a decision to make.
“My husband and I were at this place in our lives where we could say, why not,” she said. “Then opportunity after opportunity, things began to happen.”
She enjoys all sorts of music, especially R&B and Gospel, but country is her genre of choice.
“My voice compliments more of a classic country sound. It’s something that has come naturally, and something I can just turn on and tune everything else out,” she said.
She released her debut single, “Break My Heart,” teaming up with Grammy nominated producer Kent Wells, known for his work with Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Kenny Rogers. Co-written by Shantel, Dan Aronson, and Liz Anne Hill, “Break My Heart” is a dynamic, feel-good power anthem for everyone.
“People can relate to it. It’s fun and cute, but of course I do have other surprises up my sleeve. There’s a method to the madness. It’s basically like a sales business, put one product out there, look at the response, and build on that, just amp it up as much as you can,” said Shantel, who studied business at OCC. “I’m really proud of it.”
“To me, what sets Shantel apart is her earnest drive and her open heart,” said Hill in a press release. “She pours her heart out and leaves it all on the table, whether in co-writes, in the studio, or on stage – and as a writer, I couldn’t ask for anything more when working with an artist. I’m grateful to be a part of her journey and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for Shantel’s artistry and career.”
“It was encouraging and enjoyable to sit with an artist that knows who they are,” said songwriter Bridgette Tatum, who worked with Jason Aldean to co-write “She’s Country” and is now working with Shantel. “Shantel knows just that and is well on her way.”
“Break My Heart” is available on all streaming platforms. For more information on Shantel or upcoming tour dates, visit www.shantelmusic.com.