Kimberly Kelly debuted at The Opry in 2022, video below. After watching the first ever Opry Live from Londonās Albert Hall last week, I know even more now about how special that place is not only in country music but to the music industry in America more widely.
Kimberly is taking on a new role or two herself, see the cover of her new single Modern Day Woman. But itās her more familiar role weāre interested in first: country star. Sheās back with baby in tow and a new way of looking at life. I love it!
This is a really fun song, with a kicked-back no-nonsense attitude. Thereās something so country about spelling words out for emphasis. The chorus tries to cover all the roles, jobs and functions she has to master on a daily basis. It sounds hectic, and Iām a parent too. Although itās been nearly fifteen years since our daughter was a baby. Different challenges.
Iām a modern day w-o-m-a-n
āRound the clock lover and a full-time friend
Bringinā home the bacon and raising the kids
Right by the side of my m-a-n
No one else can do it all the way I can
Iām a modern day woman, hell yeah I am
A native of Lorena, Texas, Kelly says that āThis is not my first rodeo. I worked really hard in Texas before I came to Nashville. I wrote songs, put out records, did a radio tour, and played every weekend while earning a Masterās degree. They say donāt have a āplan B,ā but I watched my mom struggle to get that next level of pay. My mom earned her bachelorās degree when she was 60, so school was important to me to know I could take care of myself.ā
Thatās interesting about the Plan B. I used to think I would have been a more successful writer without an escape route but how can we know? I think having a Plan B sounds like an excellent insurance policy.
Kimberly Kelly strikes me as a very pragmatic, no-nonsense artist. Sometimes it feels like writing your own songs is the only option in this age where authenticity is whispered as though it were its own religion. Perhaps you can be just as authentic singing someone elseās songs?
āI went through a phase thinking I needed to write everything I sing. Maturity helped me realize sometimes the truest artist is one who can take what someone else wrote and elevate that story.ā I mean, a movie director doesnāt always write the screenplay either. They are different talents.
This is my first encounter with Kimberly Kelly and itās another ear worm. Itās just the sort of fun song we need as summer falls into autumn. Itās only when you really give those lyrics a hard listen that you realise there is a much deeper theme underneath. After enjoying a very different kind of music from another artist-mom, Lera Lynn, I can say that music needs as many diverse voices as possible. Talented women singing about trying to have it all and constantly juggling everything feels new. Enjoy!
[You have a short memory. What about 9 to 5? And I removed all your ājokesā about delivering a single, giving birth to new music etc. etc. Ed.]
Kimberly Kelly has her own website and is active on Instagram and TikTok. You can stream her music in all the usual places. Even better, you can buy her music on physical formats.
Press Coverage for Kimberly Kelly
Featured artist in 20 New Songs From Nashville You Must Hear Now, World Cafe Nashville: A New Music Roundup NPR
āSome Things Have a Nameā included in ā10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Weekā Rolling Stone Country
Single āSome Things Have a Nameā review Wide Open Country
Video premiere Kimberly Kelly Takes It To Church For Acoustic āPrayer And A Six Packā [Exclusive Premiere] Taste of Country
Country Music PEOPLE magazine : by Duncan Warwick / September issue