Kimberly Kelly is a Modern Day Woman
Kimberly Kelly's new single Modern Day Woman is OUT TODAY!
Kimberly Kelly debuted at The Opry in 2022, video below. After watching the first ever Opry Live from London’s 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 it’s her more familiar role we’re interested in first: country star. She’s 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. There’s 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 I’m a parent too. Although it’s been nearly fifteen years since our daughter was a baby. Different challenges.
I’m a modern day w-o-m-a-n
‘Round the clock lover and a full-time friend
Bringin’ 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
I’m a modern day woman, hell yeah I am
A native of Lorena, Texas, Kelly says that “This 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 Master’s degree. They say don’t have a ‘plan B,’ but I watched my mom struggle to get that next level of pay. My mom earned her bachelor’s degree when she was 60, so school was important to me to know I could take care of myself.”
That’s 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 else’s songs?
“I 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.” I mean, a movie director doesn’t always write the screenplay either. They are different talents.
This is my first encounter with Kimberly Kelly and it’s another ear worm. It’s just the sort of fun song we need as summer falls into autumn. It’s 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 ‘jokes’ 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
“Some Things Have a Name” included in “10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week” Rolling Stone Country
Single “Some Things Have a Name” review Wide Open Country
Video premiere Kimberly Kelly Takes It To Church For Acoustic ‘Prayer And A Six Pack’ [Exclusive Premiere] Taste of Country
Country Music PEOPLE magazine : by Duncan Warwick / September issue