Radigan was born in Brooklyn, New York. At age four, she was raised by her grandparents after her mother was diagnosed with cancer.[1] In high school, Radigan formed her own band and performed in local clubs.[1] Before beginning her country career, Radigan was guitarist in the band Grace Pool.[2]
She released her debut single "Half a Million Teardrops" via Asylum Records in March 1995. The single was reviewed favorably by Billboard, which praised the "dreamy-but-gritty vocal" and compared Radigan favorably to Emmylou Harris, whose former producer, Brian Ahern, produced the track. Wally Wilson and Mike Henderson wrote the song,[3] which was originally recorded by Holly Dunn on her 1992 album Getting It Dunn.[4] The single was to have been included on an album titled Pawnbroker's Daughter, which was never released.[5] It would have included seven songs that Radigan wrote, plus covers of Eric Carmen's "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" and Bruce Springsteen's "Two Faces".[1]
After leaving Asylum, Radigan wrote album tracks for Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless,[6] and Trick Pony.[7] On May 16, 2000, she released the album Radigan through Vanguard Records. She co-produced the album with Justin Niebank and guitarist Kenny Greenberg.[8]People magazine reviewed Radigan favorably, praising Radigan's lyrics and her rendition of "When It Comes to You".[5]
