About

That songwriters come from the western Kentucky clan of Neihoffs is a surprise to no one aware of the land and family. In number and colorfulness, there aren’t many rivals. But few have natural storytelling and melody baked in quite as thoroughly as in Daniel Neihoff. Born in Texas and raised in Kentucky, Daniel grew up in a family of songwriters, with both his father and grandmother crafting melodies and lyrics. He wrote his first song at 8 years old, surrounded by a family fit for country songs – the old kind about struggle and lonesomeness, mistakes among enduring love. The melodies and legends were all around him in his family, and it all seeped in.

Living now in Paducah, KY, Neihoff honed his skills while playing at church and learning from masterful guitar player, Cheryl Yates. Over the years, whether it was for paying gigs or for open mics, Neihoff turned heads with his voice and rewarded the interest with his lyrics. The simmering burn of his talent and craft suddenly led somewhere big. At 20, his first audition for a set at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe was successful. The Reidland kid’s smooth and soulful sound had already landed on Music City’s doorstep from the river town’s flood plains.

The area’s journalists took notice: WKMS’s Something From Nothing Podcast and The Spiel in Southern IL delved into his work. The world is hearing his range of storytelling and compelling melodies, all with a soulful bend. Neihoff’s debut album reached number 32 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts, further solidifying his place in the music world.

His accolades are impressive: he won the Kerrville New Folk Competition in 2019, was a 3-time finalist of Songwriter Serenade, placed 3rd in the Woody Guthrie songwriter contest, and won the Rocky Mountain Songwriters Contest in 2023. Neihoff has also been featured on PBS and received praise from Lori Walsh, host of In The Moment on SDPB, who said, “Daniel Neihoff, you are just what we need.” We are hearing the launch of a voice familiar and unique that feels as if it began quite a while ago.

2019 Winner

2019, 2020, and 2021/2022 Finalist

2020 3rd Place Finish