Artist description unique, passionate At the tender age of ten, she became a closet music lover. Fond memories of sitting in her room right in front of the old record player that one belonged to her mother. "It was more like I was inclined to listen to Crystal Gayle and Tammy Wynette." It was a ritual to hear the house full of country music as you entered the door. "I never really allowed anyone to know I loved the music my mother listened to. It just wasn't the thing when I was growing up." Living in a small town, Cameron, Mo for 13 years seems to hold a spot in Jen's mins. "The little things are what I remember. Like, walking to school with the neighbor, or playing tackle football with the boys when I should have been playing barbies. Most of all, I remember the the local church where I would spend hours singing. It was safe back then, none of the securities we have today." It was when her mother up and moved the family to Mt.Ayr, IA that allowed the shift in music to take place. "My mother told me we were moving and I hated the idea. I felt betrayed and taken from ones I loved. I allowed music to become my friend more than ever at that point." Her love for music allowed her to be involved in band and choir, showing she had what was needed to be a star. Show Choir was the most memorableevent each year. "It was like a show on Broadway and we went to contests frquently." After high school, Jen sought greener pastures with a move to Kansas City, Mo., soon returned to Iowa. Joining the community choir, Riggold Singers, attending college took most of her time. "My college professor was my choir instructer, so her and I would often talk about the choir in our free time at school. I have to admit it helped me get through the day." Shortly after Jen moved to White Pigeon, Mi to live with her grandmother. "I never was real close with my family up there. It felt like the most important thing to do at the time. so I packed up and moved without notice to anyone. i was a little off my rocker, but the memories were worth it." After almost a year planted in Michigan the calling for music came once again. "I would sit up at night and pray there would be a way I could move to Nashville. Ask my friends how much I talked about how I was moving to Nashville someday. I wanted it more than anything!" It was soon after that she realized her dreams were coming true. "My dreams were consstant throughout my life. I have always known I wanted to be a singer, country, rock, pop, I didn't care. I remember getting an old plastic guitar for Cheistmas and playing the heck out of it. it was the real thing to me. Music has been in my life from day one, though some didnt know it as I did. I have to admit it wasn't till August 99 that it really hit me hard that I indeed had enough love to pursue this dream." It was a concert at the Iowa Stae Fair that lighted the path for Jen Kellie. A Tim McGraw concert led her to knowing the woman she claims as her inspiration. " I was amazed by her (Chely Wright).She interacted with the crowd like an old friend, it took me in. The guy next to me, I am sure he thought I was nuts, I was deeply involved in her words, her music, her on stage persona. To this day no one has impressed me as much as Chely has. At that time, I hadn't even met her. I was just going by the person she protrayed to the audience. You can imagine my thoughts when I met her and realized this woman, this artist, was actually who she said she was out there on that stage." It was that concert, that moment interaction, that sent Jen on her way. Soon after Jen arrived in Nashville. "I knew Nashville was my chance, the only chance I had and it was worth taking!"

Music Style country

Musical Influences Chely Wright, Tammy Wynette

Similar Artists Shelby Lynne, Kelly Willis

Artist History clubs, karoake, small fairs

Group Members Jen Kellie

Instruments guitar

Press Reviews "Her style pours from the soul. It is inevitable to imagine her first project anything more than excellent." John Blackton, editor of The Mission"When you walk across a dirt road and discover the best place on earth, You know ther eis something special going on. Jen Kellie takes you on that walk with just her voice alone." Kevin Armstrong, journalist "If youa re looking for traditional and 90's country, then look no farther. Jen's vocal's bring the enchanment of a dream out for all to see." Paula Knight, The Divine

Location Antioch, Tn - USA

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