Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelley Ann Williams.
Hi Kelley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My parents said I started singing before I could talk. I grew up with American Idol birthday parties and a karaoke machine in the basement that got its fair share of use. Singing has always been therapy to me, even before I knew it. Creativity was affluent in my house growing up in the way of painting and décor, as my mother is an art major and former artist, but I am the only musician. Music felt like home; listening and being listened to was easy. The challenges in my music journey came when I felt the urge to create my own. I taught myself to play guitar in the summer of 2015 and wrote my first songs shortly after. Those first few songs written in my dorm room were heard by few, as I was embarrassed by them and the urge I had to create. You see, listening to music and writing music are both liberating, but writing takes something out of you as well. Writing music goes to the deepest parts of you, to feelings you’re unable to express in any other way. Slowly I learned to listen to the urge to create. I was able to do so with friends in college, including my roommate Carolina Reis, whose Texas family home full of guitars and musicians, deserves credit to a large portion of my acceptance of this creative urge. After college, I moved home to Columbus, OH, where I started playing small acoustic gigs. My now fiancé, Matt, and I decided if I was going to give music a shot, we needed to be in Nashville. Soon after moving here, I met my now best friend, producer, and co-writer Wylie Withers. The past two years have been filled with navigating the music industry as an independent artist, trying to find my way. I have one single released and many on the way. I have been lucky enough to play and write music with some of my best friends. This next phase in my career is getting out of my comfort zone, and I cannot wait to see what that brings.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. As I touched on before, writing takes a lot of vulnerability. This forces writers to face the feelings they are writing about. It is a constant process of growth, which is beautifully challenging.
I have definitely struggled with anxiety, confidence, and motivation throughout this journey. A lot of this has to do with my transition out of athletics and into the real world.
Growing up an athlete, I was raised with a clear path of how you succeed. You go to practice; your coach helps you get better, you practice at home, you get good enough to make varsity, good enough to play in college, good enough to start in college, good enough to set records, and so on. There is always a next step. There is always someone there to pick you back up. There are always a team and coaches behind you with a common goal. Until there isn’t.
And that change happens the day you are finished with athletics. One day.
In the real world, you do not have anything provided to you by athletics, especially not in the music industry.
There are no roadmaps, no schedules, no coaches, no student-athlete success committee, no team, no cheerleaders.
You can hire a coach, but you’re likely struggling to string enough gigs together to make enough for bills.
You can build a team, but that takes time, trust, and a bit of good luck.
Your friends and family act as your cheerleaders, but they can’t always be right there with you telling you “Great job” After ever verse you write or gig you book.
Then add in the emotional toll creating takes.
So no, creating is not easy for anyone.
Being a musician, an artist, is not easy.
But it will be well worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a singer and a songwriter. I am an artist.
I wear my heart on my sleeve and write that way too.
Even light-hearted songs, those too come from somewhere deep down.
I write from the deepest parts of myself, and I think that is what I’m known for.
I am most proud of my perseverance. I could have given up a million times by now. It would be easier that way. But this is what I am meant to do.
It is in my soul.
So, I will keep creating, singing, & sharing.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Books I am enjoying: “The Untethered Soul.”
I was enjoying “Where the Crawdads Sing” until my dog ate it.
Various other self-help books
Podcasts:
“YNK: you know what I mean?” – Mike
“Getting Curious” – Johnathan Van Ness
“The Eben Flow” – Eben Britton
“Just Being ERNEST” – Ernest hasn’t posted a new one in over 6 months, but always a good listen.
“Innocent Til Tipsy” – Hurrdat Media for all my fellow Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard & true crime crazies 🙂
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelleyannwilliams/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/55OTiZVMgVu8oOJ7Rwk2hl?si=21cbab67d3f14ec9
Image Credits
John Reasoner
