Artist description Ask anyone who has heard Krystel sing and you'll hear words like "amazing" and "a powerhouse". Krystel is being heard at a time when music is searching for someone who has all the elements necessary to reach R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop lovers alike. She has the poise and grace of a superstar, the inner and outer beauty to catch your eye and touch your heart, and the incredible voice you simply can't mistake for anyone else. Her style of powerful soul infused with edgy hip-hop beats is new and fresh, but her voice is reminiscent of the artists that have influenced her. "Patti LaBelle, Dusty Springfield, Tina Turner, Aretha, Whitney, Mary J. Blige; those are my soul influences. Then there's Dolly Parton and Janis Joplin. Two very distinct voices. They've given me diversity." Among her songwriting influences, Krystel counts artists like the Beatles, The Judds, and more recent influences like Lauren Hill, India.Arie and Erykah Badu. When you ask Krystel to describe herself as an artist in today's world, she takes it in stride; "I'm not the next anyone, I'm the first me." Amen, girl.

Music Style R&B/Hip-Hop Soul

Musical Influences Aretha, Dusty Springfield, Mary J. Blige, Patty LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey

Artist History Krystel hails from Elma, WA., a small town outside of the state capitol of Olympia. A third generation graduate of Elma High School, Krystel was Miss Grays Harbor and was 3rd runner-up at the Miss Washington Pageant in 1995. She moved to Nashville in 1996 after opening for several Country acts at the local county fair. "I felt like I already had contacts here, and it seemed like a great place to network and get my foot in the door." Krystel's been a single mom to 6 year old Courtney for the past 4 years, and has struggled to keep her dreams alive. "I never doubted that I wanted this as my career, but it took a lot of personal hardships to really decide I wasn't ever moving back home. One day I poured gasoline on that flame and it became a fire." This is just the beginning for Krystel's career that she says isn't all creative. "I understand that first and foremost, I am a businesswoman. The fact that I get to be creative, write, sing songs and dress up is the fun part, but I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and play the music business game. That's where a lot of new artists go wrong and become unhappy. They rely too much on their label; not saying a support team at your label is not important, but you also have to take some accountability for your own career. You have to be on the same page and speak the same language as your label, that way one knows what to expect from the other." It's this wisdom that will give Krystel the edge in establishing and maintaining a long and prosperous career.

Location Nashville, TN - USA

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