Throughout her teenage years, Jenkins performed regularly at nightclubs in various states, before settling in New York City to study acting.

After being removed from Big Machine's roster in March 2020, she independently released her second EP Miles on Me, Part 1 in July 2021.

Jenkins stated that her musical inspirations include "acts like Tom Petty and The Allman Brothers Band".

[6][10] Jenkins sang in nightclubs using a fake identity document on the East Coast following her relocation to Memphis.

[2][7] She also attended open mic nights and sought out coffee shops and airports where she could perform throughout North Carolina.

[11] After performing regularly in the latter city, Jenkins would settle there to attend the William Esper Studio school for acting.

[2][4] While splitting her time between New York City and Los Angeles, Jenkins worked on the set of Cigarette Girl (2009) and starred as a bartender in both N-Secure (2010) and Tough Trade (2010).

Bruce received a phone call from Big Machine Records's CEO Scott Borchetta which resulted in Jenkins booking a flight to Nashville, Tennessee, the next day.

[7] Among others, Jenkins was one of the opening acts for Brantley Gilbert, The Band Perry and Justin Moore for the Super Weekend at the Brickyard event held in July 2014.

[20] On November 16, Jenkins announced that her debut studio album, titled No Saint, was set for release on March 15, 2019.

[23] Two days before her first album's release, Jenkins premiered its accompanying short film Running out of Road (2019), which she co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in, at the Violent Crown Cinema during the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

[26] The record consists of an Americana, country, indie, pop and rock sound; she co-wrote every song on the album.

[38] Reed labeled Jenkins a "natural country-pop star" and MusicRow's Liza Anderson described her as an "Americana singer-songwriter".

[40] Marissa R. Moss of Rolling Stone stated that Jenkins was "never afraid" to showcase her vocal delivery on No Saint.