Artist Name: Kelly Williams
Hometown: Georgia
What project(s) are you currently working on?
Last October, I recorded five new songs in Nashville with my producer, Neilson Hubbard. I’m in the process of releasing them as singles. Without You was my first release in January, and I’m following it up with Nothin’ Comes Easy. This project is a collection of songs that deal with grief, doubt, faith, hope, love and redemption. Not all of my song’s narratives are autobiographical, but I’ve certainly had my share of personal experience with these emotions, and I hope these songs will speak to listeners in a way that is meaningful and impactful.
I am also in the process of working on a side project with my friend, Adam Tavolaro, writing for the Christian/Folk market. We are in the process of recording and plan to release singles in the coming months under the name Peachtree Street Collective.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?
I never dreamed of pursuing music as a kid. I wrote songs in my teen years for fun, but life took me in a different direction. I worked in the commercial interior design industry before choosing to stay home with my daughters. At the age of 40, after more than 20 years away from my guitar, I picked it back up and began playing again. I was fortunate to have a guitar teacher who was also a gifted songwriter, so my lessons began to focus on songwriting. After five years of working on my craft, something shifted in me when Covid hit. It’s cliche to say, but I realized how short life is and decided to invest in myself and record some of my music. Since the release of my first album in 2021, I’ve let my music career develop organically, saying yes to new opportunities as they’ve come my way. I’ve met the most amazing people over the years who’ve helped me develop as a writer and artist. I still see myself primarily as a singer/songwriter and not a performing artist, but I’m working on performing more and developing that skill.
If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?
Unfortunately, I don’t think anything I would be doing could qualify as making a living. I’ve been very fortunate to stay home and raise my girls over the last 20 years. If I weren’t pursuing music, I would probably continue working on my children’s fiction manuscripts that I began writing over 16 years ago in hopes of publishing them.
What is your favorite downtime activity?
I enjoy running and listening to music. It always helps clear my mind and helps boost my energy.
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
That’s tough. I can’t say I have one. If you’d asked me that back when I was in high school I would have quickly answered Michael Hutchence of INXS.
Who is your favorite sports team(s)?
I’m not a huge sports fan, but I love my college team, The University of Georgia Bulldogs. Go Dawgs!
What is the last movie that you watched?
Elvis and it was amazing! Incredible job by Austin Butler.
What is the last album you listened to?
Brent Cobb “Keep ‘Um on Their Toes”. He’s one of my favorite artists.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s really tough! I guess I would say Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors album. It takes me back to my childhood.
What is the greatest country song of all time?
Wow, that’s impossible to answer. There are too many amazing songs. I will say one song that completely gutted me the first time I heard it was Either Way by Chris Stapleton. Crazy by Patsy Cline would also be high on my list.
What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?
I’m not a traveling performer but in my personal travel, Barcelona would be on the top of my list. It was incredibly beautiful, the people were so nice and the food was wonderful.
What is your favorite meal?
I think my answer is pretty boring but I would say spaghetti. It’s my comfort food.
Who is your dream duet partner?
For a female duet partner, it would be a hard choice between two of my favorite writers: Brandy Clark and Lori McKenna. My male duet partner would be Brent Cobb.
Who would you like to go on tour with?
In all honesty, I don’t see myself as a touring artist. I am primarily a singer/songwriter and see myself playing smaller venues when I can, but I guess I would say the same artists as above: Brandy Clark, Lori McKenna or Brent Cobb.
What is your ultimate career goal(s)?
My ultimate career goal would be to have a big artist cut one of my songs.
