Iris DeMent

Iris Luella DeMent is an American singer and songwriter. DeMents musical style includes elements of the country and folk music genres.

DeMent was born near Paragould, Arkansas, the youngest child of Pat DeMent and his second wife, Flora Mae. As the baby of the family, she was Pat DeMents 14th child, and Flora Maes eighth. Iriss mother had harbored dreams of going to Nashville and starting a singing career. Although she put those plans on hold to get married, her singing voice was an inspiration and influence for her youngest daughter Iris. DeMent was raised in a Pentecostal household. Her family moved from Arkansas to the Los Angeles area when she was three. While growing up, she was exposed to and influenced by country and gospel music. Singing at age five as one of the little DeMent sisters, Iris had a bad experience when she forgot her words during her first performance, which caused her to avoid performing in public for some time.

Source: Wikipedia