‘Catch of the Day’ – Kristen Kelly – “Fire” [VIDEO]

Its Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday and our focus today is on a young singer and songwriter from Lorena, TX, who describers her music as "more grease than polish." That grease produces an exciting mix, distilled from her country, blues, and classic rock influences into a passionate, playful, heartfelt reflection of her life.

Kristen Kelly was first bit by the music bug when she began singing in choir and in local talent shows. By middle school she found an interest in poetry, laying the foundation for her passion for songwriting that would emerge as she grew. While bartending in 2001, she was asked to audition for a local rock band, which began a three-year odyssey with the band, while also earning her degree in music from McLennan Community College in Waco.

In her final semester at MCC, began working with a friend, first singing background  harmony on songs he was recording. As the pair began writing and recording, it was clear that their chance came with Kristen on lead vocals. The project resulted in a self-released album, The Highway Is My Home, under the name the Modern Day Drifters. As the album was released, the duo added a few players to complete their live sound. The Drifters earned airplay in Texas, but with the departure of her original partner in 2008, Kristen took the reins and recorded her debut album, Peacekeeper, as Kristen Kelly & The Modern Day Drifters.

Her influences are as diverse as Kristen herself. From rock legends like the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Bob Seger, to blues and soul of Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi and the country sounds of Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire and George Strait, Kristen grew up with a variety of sounds, and its reflected in her music.

The second single single from Kristen is in our spotlight today, the title track from an as yet unreleased album. Kristen Kelly and "Fire" is our Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.