With departures in Americana, country, and rhythm and blues, Emerald City is a collection of simple, honest tunes penned during a difficult time of self-discovery. As Kelly describes, Emerald City was, “birthed from a quarter life crisis.”
“I feel like this whole record has been about figuring myself out and a lot of waiting. Waiting for things to fall into place, for a dream to be realized, for the right people to come along to collaborate with. It’s been an uphill battle for me, but I am so glad I waited until now to do it.”
Singing professionally since she was 11 in regional theatre and music reviews, Kelly was being pitched to major labels while she was still in high school. After several attempts at securing a deal in Nashville, Kelly studied music business management at university. Before graduation, she was offered a position in new media marketing at a well-established independent label. Kelly’s college career and tenure at the label was of immeasurable worth to a budding independent musician.
“I learned a lot about the new business models that were emerging and that you don’t have to have a major deal to make a great record and get it heard. I also was in awe of the musicianship of the some of the artists I got to work closely with. I definitely was inspired by their art and skill.”
After a health scare and major surgery, life was thrown into a whole new perspective. Kelly began to write on themes that reflected her current experiences: hopelessness and the futility of worry, true love and its tangible expressions, avoiding sedentary living, the sanctity of life, and the hearts’ potential to sometimes divert you away from home.
"Hi Kelly, My name is Ronie Dean and I am originally from Seattle. There is now a pretty big folk scene up there as some of my friends from there tell me. I moved here, in Nashville, almost 20 years ago and established myself as an independent and I…"
"Hi Kelly,
This is quite a surprise! I see you have moved to Seattle! Seattle is such a beautiful city! I stopped by your website and watched the video of you and Matt.Your voice is as awesome as ever! Give me a shout next time you are back in…"
At 1:04am on September 16, 2009, Ronnie Dean said…
Hi Kelly, My name is Ronie Dean and I am originally from Seattle. There is now a pretty big folk scene up there as some of my friends from there tell me. I moved here, in Nashville, almost 20 years ago and established myself as an independent and I love Nashville and the people here. I miss Seattle for the family that I have there and the great fishing but I have made Nashville my home. I work with and around great musicians and artists and it is, as I have said before, the place for me to be so here I will stay. If you get a chance, go to a small town called Des Moines on the water front, a small marina town but it is where I grew up and houses some pretty great muisicians also. Enjoy the mountains. Enjoyed your video. Ronnie Dean
Hi Kelly,
This is quite a surprise! I see you have moved to Seattle! Seattle is such a beautiful city! I stopped by your website and watched the video of you and Matt.Your voice is as awesome as ever! Give me a shout next time you are back in Nashville.If I am not on the road,would love to see you!Take care,
Barney