Kimberly Kelly

Texas singer/songwriter Kimberly Kelly spent years honing a sound that eschewed country's pop affectations in favor of classic honky tonk arrangements and smart lyrics that balanced wit and heart in equal measure. By the time she signed a deal with Show Dog Nashville, she'd already strung together an intriguing career, touring and releasing a couple of D.I.Y. albums, playing in her sister Kristen Kelly's band, and forging a close bond with outlaw icon Billie Joe Shaver. All the pieces were in place when she made her label debut with 2022's I'll Tell You What's Gonna Happen. Hailing from the small town of Lorena, Texas, music runs in Kelly's family. Her father, Sterling Kelly was a fixture of the regional country scene and both of his daughters eventually caught the bug too. Kimberly developed a strong work ethic early on, releasing a pair of self-produced albums in 2007 and 2010, booking radio tours, and gigging heavily around Texas, all while putting herself through college. When her sister Kristen earned a Nashville deal in 2012, Kimberly joined her on tour, singing harmony and gaining valuable experience on a bigger stage opening for acts like Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley. She had also been taken under the wing of Texas great Billie Joe Shaver whom she came to consider a "musical grandfather." Kelly eventually met and married Brett Tyler, a hitmaking songwriter who helped her produce the 2019 EP Don't Blame It On Me. Finally, in 2021, she signed a label deal, joining the roster of Toby Keith's Show Dog Nashville imprint. Produced by Tyler, Kelly's first album for the label, 2022's I'll Tell You What's Gonna Happen, showcased her confident classic country style.
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