Imagine if Janis Joplin were alive today and able to metamorph into a Nashville singer-songwriter writing honestly about love, loss, lust and the challenges of everyday life. Add a half cup of Patty Griffin and a tablespoon of Melissa Etheridge and you have Leslie Dysinger.

In 1998, Leslie Dysinger moved to Nashville to pursue her career as a songwriter. She's written and performed in Nashville, Huntsville, Memphis and other cities throughout the South since 2005.

The Leslie Dysinger Band won last month's Nashville Pride "Battle of the Bands" to earn a performance slot at this year's festival. Dysinger expresses her gratitude for this great opportunity:

First & foremost, the band & I are so unbelievably grateful for this opportunity to play Nashville Pride 2011. It has been something I’ve wanted to do ever since I saw Jen Foster play when Pride was held at Centennial Park. I remember thinking “How do I get up there?” Winning the Battle of the Bands gave us validation that we, as a band, are moving in the right direction so of course playing on the Bridgestone Main Stage with all the awesome talent that is scheduled to play is definitely a great boost for us.

It’s especially an honor to play for all of our friends and family who have supported us throughout the last few years, and to Christa Suppan and Lipstick Lounge who have been such good friends to us as they gave us our first gig as a full band which proved that making the transition from an acoustic act to the full band a very positive choice. For me personally, living most my life in Nashville & seeing the talent that Pride presents on stage year after year means that this is a little dream come true & we feel blessed to have been picked for this great event!