RISING STAR JESSICA SOLE’S “LIGHTNING STRIKES” ELECTRIFIES COUNTRY FANS WITH THUNDEROUS DEBUT
Jessica Sole is still writing her story, but 2025 has already ignited the start of a thrilling new chapter. The rising country music star from Shelburne, Ontario, has made an explosive impact with the release of her latest single, “Lightning Strikes”. In just a matter of weeks, the powerful and captivating track, written by Sole and produced by CCMA-nominated Dan Swinimer (JoJo Mason, Madeline Merlo, Tony Stevens), has captured the hearts of country music lovers nationwide, earning impressive early numbers and a surge in fan engagement through TikTok.
The idea for “Lightning Strikes” came to Sole during a recording trip in Nashville after hearing a songwriter at the Listening Room Café explain how perseverance led to his first chart-topping hit. His words, “never give up on your dream, because you never know when lightning will strike,” inspired her to jot down the title in her notes app. Over a year later, during a solo writing session, the heartfelt love song poured out.
The song was born from a moment of inspiration and has struck a chord with listeners in every province and territory, resonating with its message of perseverance and the magic of chasing dreams. Since its release last month, “Lightning Strikes” has amassed over 100,000 TikTok plays and 10,000 streams on music platforms, earning Jessica 5,000 new TikTok followers. Apple Music added the song to both its Canada’s Country and New in Country playlists, and Amazon Music added it to Just North of Nashville and Fresh Country. A live performance video is set to premiere on February 13.
“The support and love I’ve been getting has been overwhelming in the best way,” says Sole. “Growing up in a small town in Ontario, I knew how supportive and nice Canadians are, and that they LOVE country music. I guess I didn’t realize just how much until I started getting tens of thousands of comments from people all over this country telling me they’re new fans and followers and that they love ‘Lightning Strikes!’”
Taking the stage from an early age, Jessica has been delicately crafting her skills as a songwriter and performer for over a decade. 2024 was a catalyst year for the country singer-songwriter, as she surpassed 350,000 digital streams, 4.5 million TikTok views, and achieved her first #1 song on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Radio with her single “Heads Up.” This followed the success of her previous single “Fallin’ For You,” which scored editorial support from Apple Music and Amazon Music, including a playlist cover on Amazon’s Breakthrough Country. Last summer was jam-packed with performances across the country, including a stop in Edmonton for the CCMAs’ Country Music Week and Toronto at the CNE.
Jessica is no stranger to hard work, down-home roots, and dreaming big. With her fast start to the year, Jessica Sole is proving herself to be one of country music’s most promising rising stars—and she’s just getting started.