SRC EXCLUSIVE: Local singer and songwriter Josie Hargis nominated for an Arkansas Country Music Award says spreading the good news of Jesus is her number one priority

“I give all the glory to God for everything,” said singer and songwriter Josie Hargis as she described her journey into the world of country and Gospel music.

The local musician has emerged as one of the top new talents from the State of Arkansas, and it all began right here in Warren. The story is still being written, but Hargis has amassed a large social media following, singing what she describes as a mixture of southern Gospel and positive country music.

In the last week, Hargis’s music has caught the attention of the Arkansas Country Music Awards. She is currently nominated for Inspirational Artist of the Year here in Arkansas for her work.

In 2022 she released her first single, My Best Friend, a Gospel song and the first she had ever composed. Written in about 30 minutes, Hargis’s uncle David Mann put the lyrics to music and the journey began. She recorded the song at a studio in Crossett, released it on multiple music platforms, and people responded.

After a portion of the song was released on TikTok, it amassed over 2.3 million views, propelling the aspiring artist to heights she hadn’t dreamed.

“Whenever My Best Friend came out, I got a message from the Vice President of the Arkansas Country Music Awards.” He informed her she was eligible to be nominated for a 2023 award. “I didn’t think much of it,” she said, but last month listeners made their voices heard when they put forth her name for nomination. Hargis was then contacted by the ACMA and told she was a finalist for Inspirational Artist of the Year. “It was crazy,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting it.” Hargis says however that she is excited about the nomination and honored that her listeners think so highly of her music.

Her journey to this point has been quite rapid. She began singing as a kid, but in 2018 started singing as part of the Grace Cowboy Church Band. “That was the first time I had sang in front of anybody,” said Hargis. That inspired her to pursue her passion further.

Hargis has not only been recording new music but also playing in various live shows throughout the region. She just finished a show in Springhill, Louisiana February 11 as a special guest, and she is scheduled to be at a showcase March 5 in Ruston, Louisiana. Typically she sings and is accompanied by music played by her uncle David Mann. Robin Young has also taken part with her at various shows. Hargis herself has been learning to play guitar. She says that the support of the local community, her family, and especially her church family has been amazing.

The hard work has paid off. Hargis now has almost 135,000 followers on TikTok. She’s also active on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and Twitter.

Success on social media is not Hargis’s goal, however. “I’m not really as interested in trying to be rich and famous as I am just getting Jesus out there, spreading that Good news.”

Around the first part of March, fans will be able to start voting for Hargis in the Arkansas Country Music Awards. After the fans vote, the committee gets the final say. Hargis now awaits the announcement of the awards June 5, though she is simply thrilled at the progress and support shown along the way.

Her music is available on almost all platforms, and she’s currently in the process of recording more. She says she wants to “just make more music and keep having fun.” It’s other people taking joy in her music that gives her a real sense of accomplishment she said.

“As long as Jesus is put out there, that’s my number one priority,” said Hargis.

To listen to Josie’s song My Best Friend, see the video below: