Savannah-raised country singer Natalie Goodman is bringing the hits weekly to Plant Riverside

“It’s a total dream come true for me, being just a country fanatic and country singer,” said Goodman. “Getting to attend an awards show at the Grand Ole Opry as a nominee is just totally insane for me. I’m going to try not to get my hopes up. I’m just honored to be there.”

Somewhere between the stresses of playing D1 soccer at University of Georgia and now studying for her medical board exams, Goodman found her voice and songwriting chops.

“Music is the perfect outlet for something that stressful,” said Goodman. “It’s always been my little outlet my whole life.”

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Natalie Goodman’s kick-off into country music

Goodman has always loved music, but it was when she began singing the National Anthem at UGA soccer games that people began to notice her talent. ESPN even aired a feature about Goodman, dubbing her the “Singing Soccer Player.”

“I was injured a lot when I played soccer and it was my way to contribute to the team,” recalled Goodman.

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Goodman became inspired to pick up guitar, metaphorically trading in her cleats for cowboy boots, so that she could gig around town and meet other musicians.

“It was definitely a lot to balance because college sports is tough, and pre-med is tough, too, but music has always been that one fun thing for me that I was able to use to connect to other people,” said Goodman. “Especially being in a life of health care, being able to help people and make them feel better.”

A few years ago, when her sister Catherine attended a songwriting camp, Goodman decided to go as well, even though she had never written a song before.

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

“I figured I love to sing, so I thought I’d give it a try,” said Goodman. “You had to submit one of your original songs to go. They chose the top four songs and those performers got to stand up in front of a panel of industry executives and sing it for them, and then they would choose a winner. My sister and I were both finalists with the original songs we wrote, and this was the only song I had written at the time.”

Goodman sang it and ended up winning a single song publishing deal in Nashville, putting her in the same company at country pop singer Kelsea Ballerini who won the previous year.

Since then, Goodman has released an EP and several well received singles co-written with her sister, including "I Did It To Myself" and "Love You From a Distance."

Goodman finds time during the week to jot down lyrics which she then sends to her discerning sister for approval. “If she says it’s okay we’ll go on and put some melody to it, or she’ll say, ‘No Natalie. Please don’t send that to anyone else,’” Goodman said with a laugh. “Then we’ll just trash it.”

Goodman is putting together material for another EP with hopes to record it in Orlando and release it the beginning of next year.

“I’d really like to get some stuff out that is really true to me,” said Goodman. “Kind of organic. Really vocals and words focused. Probably a little less poppy and more country. So I’m excited for that project.”

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Audiences can hear Goodman sing some of her original songs during her weekly Plant Riverside residency, but she will also perform plenty of songs from artists she loves like Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash.

“I have a pretty wide range of stuff I’ll put in my set, just because I want everyone to be able to relate to something, so I’ll do some pop stuff, too,” explained Goodman. “I’ll even do some Eagles.”

Goodman’s singing residency will continue in the Plant Riverside pavilion every Saturday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. through the end of the year, and what happens beyond that depends on where she does her doctor’s residency. Goodman plans to go into emergency medicine, so she is going from being the “Singing Soccer Player” to the “Singing Doctor.”

“I was an EMT for three years before I started medical school,” said Goodman. “I worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah in the emergency department. I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love the adrenaline, I love the team atmosphere of the emergency room, and I’m excited to be a doctor one day.”

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Credit: Rosana Lucia / For Do Savannah

Even when she’s saving lives music will remain important part of Goodman’s life. Goodman has had opportunities to sing for her patients and recalled a moment when she sang for an Alzheimer's sufferer. The patient was very lost and confused until Goodman sang them their favorite song, “Fly Me to the Moon,” and the patient recalled every word.

“I think that’s one of the most special things about music is that is just stays with you forever,” said Goodman. “It’s something that can calm you even in the worst situations.”

IF YOU GO

Natalie Goodman

4:30-6 p.m. Saturdays. Free. Pavilion Stage at Plant Riverside District, 400 W. River St., Savannah. plantriverside.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah-raised country singer Natalie Goodman is bringing the hits weekly to Plant Riverside

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