Kimberly Kelly

Country artist Kimberly Kelly released her new single “Some Things Have A Name” on August 17th.
Originally from Texas, the singer/songwriter introduced her country sound through her self-titled debut album released in 2007. Kelly has since then opened for major artists such as Willie Nelson, Radney Foster, Leon Russell and Billy Joe Shaver.

The Nashville-based artist is now unveiling her brand new single “Some Things Have A Name” produced by Brett Tyler.

“I’m still country, we’ve just polished it up a bit. I settled into my “brand” also. I know who I am as a person, so I think the image I portray is just an extension of the story I’m telling through the songs,” expresses Kelly.

“Some Things Have A Name” is off her upcoming EP “Don’t Blame It On Me”, due August 31st.

Introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Kimberly Kelly.

What’s your story?

I’m just a girl from Texas living in Nashville, working part-time, and making country music.

Tell us a little bit about your childhood. When did you know music was something special to you? Did you grow up in a musical family?

I’m originally from Texas, grew up in a small town (Lorena) just outside of Waco, TX, and have one sister, Kristen. My mother was originally a hairdresser, and dad a mechanic. I felt drawn to music in late elementary school, became a super fan so to speak picking my favorite artists and such. I would say yes I grew up in a musical family— my grandfather Sterling Kelly fronted a band called “Sterling Kelly and the Hearts” and was a fixture in the Texas music scene, but he had quit playing long before I was born. However, both my parents were very influential in exposing us to music.

Do you remember your first musical memory?

One of the first vivid musical memories I have is being in our dad’s van, it had shag carpet on the inside, bucket seats, an 8-track console, and a table in the back. He used to play “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks and “That Smell” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I remember asking him to play those songs over and over, it was a good time. About the same time my mom was driving us around in her Honda playing “Chains” by Patty Loveless on repeat.

Which album(s) had a huge impact in your life?

Take Me As I Am- Faith Hill, The Woman in Me - Shania Twain - I learned from reading the liner notes of her and Mariah Carey’s records that you could be an artist and write your own songs. The Trouble with the Truth - Patty Loveless, Trouble In Mind - Hayes Carl, Easy- Kelly Willis, There’s More Where That Came From - Lee Ann Womack.

Do you remember the first record you ever bought?

My mom got me a Randy Travis “Always & Forever” cassette tape.

When did you know you could sing?

I thought maybe I could sing about the time LeAnn Rimes came out. I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’m the best singer there ever was, but when she came out people were saying she was really good, and somehow I was able to recognize that I could stay on pitch and sing along with her. I sometimes describe it like (because my dad’s a mechanic)— it just feels like all the gears are lining up when I sing. However, it wasn’t until my junior year of high school when I told my mom, “Hey mom, I think I can sing?” (more in the form of a question), so I made her turn around backwards and sang her something. She called a family friend over and had me do the same thing for them, just to make sure!

What’s the first song you ever wrote?

I wrote a song called “Only Lonely for You,” and I still have the yellow pad I wrote it on.

Tell us about your first experiences in the music industry. What did these experiences teach you?

I’m lucky because I’m from Texas, and there’s a whole industry down there. After I finished the commercial music program at McLennan Community College I had my first gig at a Chili Festival in town, and from that point on I submerged myself in the Texas Country music scene. My band was made up of the guys I went to school with and we played all over the state almost every weekend. I opened for people, released two albums I wrote almost all of the songs on, and did a Texas radio tour. I had opportunities to work on how I act on stage, interact with radio people, etc. I learned that nobody is going to work harder for you than yourself.

What got you into country music?

Being from Texas, my family and environment.

You’ve just released your new single “Some Things Have A Name.” What’s the story behind this record. Who produced the record?

This song was pitched to me and immediately I fell in love with the melody. I also loved the cleverness of the lyrics. I felt like the language they used and the sass were all things that I would say to a person in that situation. It’s a cheatin’ song. Brett Tyler produced the whole EP. He’s a writer at Combustion with production/writer credit for Maren Morris and cuts with Morgan Wallen, Dustin Lynch, etc.

Listen to “Some Things Have A Name” here.

Describe us the recording/writing process behind this EP.

I only wrote one song on this project, and I’d written it before I’d decided to make this project actually. When I finally decided I was going to do a full EP I did an Indiegogo campaign to raise the funds for it. The response and support I got was overwhelming. From then on I set out to make the best record I could, as if it were the last one I was ever going to make. Brett told me in the beginning, “It’s about the songs,” and I completely agreed with him, so I went back through my own catalogue and simultaneously reached out to every publisher, friend, A&R person, anyone that I could think of, or that somebody would send me to asking for songs. Once I had the five I felt I wanted to share Brett scheduled a session at Westwood Studios and and booked a great band. I took donuts and Shiner Bock into the studio, and I think everybody just had a good time.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspired by the things going on in my life, or the people close to me.

How would you define country music?

Country music is storytelling to me, and the instrumentation, although some of the newer stuff that doesn’t sound country, they still might be telling a good story, so I can relate to that!

What makes a good country song?

Again, a good country song I think tells a good story, whether it makes you laugh, cry, or feel nostalgic.

What are you currently listening to? Any artist you’d like to recommend?

I have a playlist on my Spotify of older country I go back to pretty regularly, but of the new stuff I like Midland, Morgan Wallen, Jenny Tolman, Jon Pardi— I’ve got another playlist of new stuff I like to update pretty regularly too. I’m also really excited that Cody Johnson signed a record deal! I’m looking forward to him being played on national radio so if somebody hasn’t had the chance to hear him he’ll get that exposure. I feel like he’s explosive onstage, and has such a great voice.

What do you want to accomplish as an artist?

I just want to make country music on the biggest platform that I can get to.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

You’ve got two ears and one mouth, listen more than you talk, ha!

What message do you want to deliver to the readers of this blog?

Just be true to yourself with whatever you’re doing. Even if you don’t make it to wherever you’d hoped, you’ll still be proud of the work you’ve done.

Any upcoming projects?

I’ve got a few more things I want to include with the release of this EP, maybe a couple videos, and I also would love to record a Christmas song.

In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?

I think if people were open to listening to others’ perspectives. You don’t have to change your mind and start thinking the way they do, but you could just give them a listen.

What’s your purpose?

I feel like my purpose is to spread joy. Whether it’s just in everyday life how I interact with people, or through my music.

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