Jennifer Alvarado – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles): Jennifer Alvarado delivers her fan favorite cover “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)“ to all streaming and download platforms on the heels of her recent EP release “Lately.” Cultivating her take on a classic tune, Alvarado releases her unique version of this acclaimed tune. With its roots firmly planted in country and Americana, the song features lush pedal steel guitars and a haunting, stripped-back arrangement that amplifies Alvarado’s raw, compelling vocals.
The song’s lyrics aren’t only catchy, they resonate with fans. With lyrics like, “When I wake up, well, I know I’m gonna be / I’m gonna be the one who wakes up next to you / When I go out, yeah, I know I’m gonna be / I’m gonna be the one who goes along with you,” The original writers of the track, The Proclaimers, unironically cultivated a cult classic love song that can also be screamed in the back of your small town favorite bar. With a chorus like, “But I would walk five hundred miles / And I would walk five hundred more / Just to be the one who walked a thousand / Miles to fall down at your door.” This tune is sealed as a sing along.
When asked why she chose this classic tune to re-record, Alvarado stated she’s “loved the song since [she] first heard it as a child.” The album art was created to pay homage to the original “The Proclaimers” art that was used for the cassette tape that went along with the Benny and Joon soundtrack (1993)….”since that is closer to when and why I heard the song.” Alvarado states.
Reviving this classic hit with a modern feel is a blissfully unexpected move from Jennifer Alvarado, and you should check it out for yourself.
I’M GONNA BE (500 MILES)
WRITTEN BY CRAIG AND CHARLES REID
RECORDED AT BOMBHOUSE STUDIOS
PRODUCED BY RICKY RODRIGUEZ
MASTERED BY MOONTREE MASTERING’S BRIAN POOLE
Multi-award winning, international recording artist Jennifer Alvarado is redefining what it means to be a country artist in today’s music scene. With a sound that fuses the heartfelt storytelling of 90s country with the raw, unfiltered honesty of alternative rock, her music has been described as “Deana Carter meets Alanis Morissette.” But Jennifer isn’t just another artist blending genres — she’s a truth-teller, a fighter, and a voice for those who have ever felt out of place. Her songs are unflinchingly personal, yet universally relatable, tackling love, loss, trauma, and redemption with a fearless honesty that sets her apart.
Born and raised in Hickory, North Carolina, Alvarado’s love for music was sparked at the age of four when her grandfather first placed a guitar in her hands. Growing up, she found her voice singing in church and school performances, but a devastating loss and relentless bullying in middle school silenced her for years. While others saw her talent, she struggled with crippling performance anxiety, choosing instead to write in secret. It wasn’t until her mid-teens, when she picked up the guitar again and began leading worship, that she slowly reclaimed her confidence.
Alvarado’s path to music wasn’t a straight shot. Despite earning a music scholarship, she ultimately pursued a degree in Political Science and Family Ministries, preparing for a future in law and ministry. She worked as an Intellectual Property Paralegal, led worship at two churches, and taught guitar and ukulele on the side. But music never stopped calling. In 2020, facing a crossroads, she decided to take a chance — submitting her music to Indie Star Radio. The response was immediate and overwhelming, leading to her being named Country Artist of the Year in 2021. From that moment, there was no turning back.
Since then, Jennifer has become one of the most relentless independent artists in country music, performing over 200 shows a year across the country. She’s played legendary venues like The Viper Room, intimate clubs on the California coast, and countless stages across NC, TN, GA, VA, SC, CT, KY, and TX. Her goal? To play all 50 states and bring her music to international audiences. While she’s been told she’s “not redneck enough” for country music and “too old” to chase a dream, she refuses to let the industry define her. Instead, she writes and sings on her own terms, creating music that resonates with those searching for something deeper than another whiskey-soaked party anthem.
Beyond the music, Jennifer is deeply passionate about using her platform to make a difference. She is actively involved in Celebrate Recovery, prison ministry, and organizations supporting women overcoming addiction and homelessness. She volunteers at the Asbury Resource Center, Safe Harbor, and Meals on Wheels and is helping launch Breaking the Darkness, a Christian music festival designed to reach those who may not feel welcomed in traditional church spaces.
Jennifer Alvarado is more than a musician — she is a storyteller, an advocate, and proof that resilience and faith can carve out a space where none seemed to exist. She isn’t chasing fame or fortune. She’s chasing meaning, moments, and the chance to remind others that their voice, their dreams, and their stories matter.
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