Kimberly Kelly’s Love Of Traditional Country Shines Throughout New Album With Toby Keith’s Show Dog Records

Kimberly Kelly radiates warmth, positivity, and lots of enthusiasm whether she’s singing on stage or talking one-on-one with friends, fellow musicians, or people in the crowd. She’s clearly in her element as a performer. But there’s also a sense of strength and calmness that comes from years of trying to make it, while remaining determined to stay true to the type of music that sets her apart – traditional country.

She’s always had a deep appreciation for the strong female voices she heard on the radio growing up in Lorena, Texas.

“One of my earliest memories is my mom playing Pam Tillis on the radio,” she recalls. “I love soaring melodies, and stories, and the music where the instruments match the message. That’s what I grew up on – those female artists of the 90s.”

One of the songs on her new album pays tribute to some of those influences. It’s called “Summers Like That” (written by Karyn Rochelle and Bobby Tomberlin) and references familiar 90s-era hits about young love like “Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter, Trisha Yearwood’s “Walkaway Joe,” and “Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis.

Kelly admits her musical style also has some Texas influences.

“It’s very honky tonk influenced because I am a child of Texas. So, just things you can dance to because there are dance halls everywhere.”

Although she always like country music, it wasn’t until she went off to community college that she began to think about music as a career. Her sister, Kristen, was already a singer and in fact, headed to Nashville before she did.

“I started leaning into music when I went to McLennan Community College in Waco because they have a commercial music program,” she says. “So, I started taking theory, songwriting, and there was a country band I could join. Then after I finished that program, I started booking gigs in Texas.”

She was determined, however, to have a Plan B. So, even while performing, she continued her education. Kelly not only has a bachelor’s degree, she has a master’s and is a certified Speech Pathologist.

“My mom has since gotten her bachelor’ degree, but I watched her try to get to the next level of pay and she struggled without a degree. My parents were divorced, and I never wanted to feel like I couldn’t take care of myself.”

She finished her education at the same time her sister signed a record deal, so she headed to Nashville to help her sister with background vocals. Once there, Kelly began working on her own music, trying to get a publishing deal a record deal or both. When it didn’t happen, she began considering what to do next.

“By that point I’d been dating my husband for a while and decided I was just going to do one of those campaigns, raise money, and make a project. Maybe I’ll get a record deal or a publishing deal and if not, I’m out. I’ll be a speech therapist.”

Her husband is talented songwriter and producer, Brett Tyler.

She released an EP called Don’t Blame It On Me that soon began opening some doors. It led to signing with her manager, and then last year getting a record deal with Toby Keith’s Show Dog Records. Given her approach and style of music, it seemed like just the right fit.

“It’s so neat because the kind of music I’m making is not the current standard,” she says. “It’s like I’m landing at the right place for what I do. And Toby is such an outlaw himself. I’m not saying I’m an outlaw, but he did things his own way. So, it’s kind of perfect.”

Those at the record label tend to agree.

“Kimberly’s talent and passion for authentic classic country music makes her the perfect addition to the Show Dog Nashville roster,” says Rick Moxley, SVP Promotion Show Dog Nashville. “We couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”

Her album (by Show Dog in partnership with Thirty Tigers) features 12-carefully chosen songs with meaningful lyrics that tell stories like “Person That You Marry” (written by Kelly, Lori McKenna, and Brett Tyler), “Blue Jean Country Queen” (written by Kelly, Tyler, and Steve Wariner), “Forget the Alamo” (By Dale Dodson and Wynn Varble), and “Black Rose” (by Billy Joe Shaver).

Kelly has a special connection to the late Billy Joe Shaver who was both a friend and mentor back home in Texas. The title of the album “I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen” is a nod to Shaver, but also touches on Kelly’s own independent spirit.

It comes from a story of Shaver forcing his way into a Waylon Jennings session after the star tried to renege on listening to some of his songs. Shaver brushed off a $100 bill to “go way,” instead telling Jennings, “I’ll tell you what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna either listen to these songs or I’m gonna whip your ass.” Jennings agreed to listen to one song and it ended up on Jennings 1973 Honky Tonk Heroes album. In fact, every song on that album, except one, was written by Shaver.

“Billy Joe was such an important part of my journey into music,” Kelly says. “

As Kelly looks to the future, she’s excited for people to see where the album takes her.

“I’ve learned you can’t have things like winning a CMA Award or even necessarily getting a No. 1 song as a goal. Those need to be your dreams because a lot of people get signed to record deals, but it doesn’t guarantee getting your songs played on the radio. So, your goals need to be, I want my record to come out, I want to play the Opry, and I would love to do a radio tour.”

Two out of three isn’t bad (so far). Her record came out in July, and tonight she makes her debut on the Grand Ole Opry.

Life is good and Kelly is enjoying every minute of it.

“I am absolutely having a blast,” she says.