No one sings so eloquently of first
love and growing up as someone who’s actually living
through these irresistible perils. At a very savvy 15, Kelsey
is proud to present Something’s Starting To Happen,
a collection of songs that touch on all those new-as-dew
emotions that most adults spend their lives trying to recapture.
Kelsey is aided in her lyrical mission by some of today’s
wisest and most popular songwriters, including Frank Myers
(who’s written such hits as “I Swear” and “I’m
Already There”), Tom Shapiro (“Living And Living
Well,” “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You”),
James Collins (“The Good Stuff,” “She Thinks
My Tractor’s Sexy”), Tony Martin (“Just
To See You Smile,” “Third Rock From The Sun”),
Karen Taylor-Good (“How Can I Help You Say Goodbye”),
Walt Aldridge (“Fear Of Being Alone,” “There’s
No Getting Over Me”) and Rachel Proctor (“Me
And Emily”).
A native of Dalton, Georgia, where she still lives with
her parents, an older sister and two younger brothers, Kelsey
has always been encouraged to fulfill her dreams. “We’re
a close family,” she says. “They support me one
hundred percent.”
Like many performers, Kelsey got her musical start—and
career inspiration—in church. That memory is still
vivid. “The first song I sang was ‘Jesus Loves
Me,’” she recalls. “I was probably four
years old. I really loved it.” She carried that love
of performing into school, where she has acted in musicals,
captained the cheerleading squad and played French horn in
the band.
Among those watching Kelsey in church were Ronnie and Linda
Cantrell, owners of the emerging record company, Destiny
Row Records, whose roster now includes such country stars
as Kelly Lang and T.
G. Sheppard. In Kelsey’s pure,
airy voice and confident stage presence, the Cantrells saw
the makings of yet another star. They arranged a meeting
with her and her manager, Les Cole, who had already been
grooming her for a performing career. Even though Kelsey
was only 12 at the time, the Cantrells offered her a development
deal. She has been working toward her album ever since—screening
songs, journeying to Nashville for recording sessions and,
most recently, filming her first music video, an experience
she says was “a blast.”
Before her record deal came along, Kelsey had established
herself as a popular performer in and around her hometown.
She won the “Most Promising Female Vocalist” award
even farther afield—at a talent contest at the Louise
Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. “I used
to sing almost everywhere,” she says, “at parties,
local festivals and fairs. But with the album and video,
I haven’t had a lot of time lately. It’s pretty
time consuming.”
When Kelsey does have a few free moments, she says “I
like to play piano, hang out with my friends—and shop,
of course.” But always, she is listening to music. “Right
now,” she reports, “the Beatles are in my CD
player.” She’s also a big fan of Martina McBride,
Tim McGraw and Alison Krauss. “I haven’t had
time to buy any CDs lately though,” she adds. “I’ve
been too busy listening to demos.”
Kelsey’s producer, Music Row veteran Tom McBee, helped
her sift through the hundreds of demos that poured in when
Destiny Row announced she was ready to record. However, she
had the final say on which songs she would cut for the album.
As the album demonstrates, her choices were impeccable.
“Something’s Starting To Happen” is Kelsey’s
first single and music video from the album. It’s also
her promise to the world. As one critic puts it, “This
is the sound of a woman being born.” |
