About Brenna MacMillan
Nashville-based roots and Americana singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and performer.
Origins & Influences
From Winchester, Kentucky to Nashville — a banjo player since age nine, award-winning musician, and co-founder of Theo & Brenna Band.
Originally from Winchester, Kentucky, Brenna MacMillan began playing banjo at the age of nine. Brenna performed frequently in the Lexington area which led to opening for J.D. Crowe and Bobby Osborne. Attending Berea College, Brenna played with the Bluegrass Ensemble under Al White and was awarded the Red Foley Memorial Music Award in 2018. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Brenna moved to Nashville and started Theo & Brenna Band with her brother Theo. Their full bluegrass band toured for several years, releasing two albums.
Music & Artistry
Her songs blend West African rhythms, old Kentuckian soil melodies, and storytelling — bringing a fresh sound to folk and bluegrass.
Brenna released her debut solo album Dear Life in October of 2024. Since releasing this record, Brenna has brought her music to audiences across the US, Canada, and Ireland. Her songs have undertones of West African rhythms, old Kentuckian soil melodies and an innate resonation of storytelling. Her tender songwriting combined with traditional banjo playing brings a fresh sound to singer-songwriter folk and bluegrass alike. She's currently working on her second album, to be released in 2027.
Performance & Career
A sought-after collaborator and session musician, performing across the US, Canada and Ireland — from the Festival of Carthage in Tunisia to local Nashville bluegrass.
As Theo & Brenna Band stepped back from touring in 2022, Brenna has collaborated online or toured with various Nashville-based artists and bands including: Brennen Leigh, Paul Kramer, Greg Garing, Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry, East Nash Grass, Jason Carter, Suwannee Mountain Boys, Della Mae, Kashus Culpepper, Mason Via (former member of Old Crow Medicine Show), The Cody Sisters, Wyatt Ellis, Jaelee Roberts, Spencer Hatcher, and Josiah & the Bonnevilles. She performed with international group Tapis Rogue 2 at the International Festival of Carthage 2025 in Tunis, Tunisia. Brenna appears on albums from artists such as Hillary Klug, Maddie Denton, Cristina Vane, The Romans, Alicia Blue, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Hannah Juanita, and Josiah & the Bonnevilles. Brenna is heavily involved with rotating casts in local bluegrass groups in and around Nashville and has participated in several events for a cause, including a special appearance with Bronwyn and Cristina Vane at the Ryman for Thistle Farms in 2024.
"Brenna moves from her down-home Kentucky twang to controlled and wispy upper vocal range, as each song demands... Together, the songs weave a tapestry that paints a picture of this dear life."
— Nancy Posey, No Depression