This issue's featured artist is Kim Keyser, singer and guitarist. What follows is a glimpse of the artist, in her own words as interviewed by Lisa Sahani.
 

I was influenced by the Old School Club of James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Jackson Brown and Linda Ronstadt. All musicians and singers that I admired and aspired to sound like, and maybe once in a while, got close. Taught myself to play on a Green Stamp guitar. The oldest of five siblings, I often closed myself in a closet to practice…a “closet musician” of sorts.

I started playing professional gigs at 13. Due to the pluck of my financially creative parents, and the benevolence of the owners of The School of Performing Arts in Winter Park. Florida, I received some amazing formal training. Fortunately, much of it stuck.

Performed with a Central Florida club band, which became Paradise, for 20+ years. Performances included a stint on MTV’s first installment of their Basement Tapes series in the early 80’s. Years of corporate gig’s afforded travel to Aruba, Puerto Rico, South Africa, and the Caribbean; opening for several name acts along the way.

Singing with Paradise gave me the blessed opportunity (one of many) to collaborate with gifted pianist and New Age Composer Wayne Gratz. Two songs from that pairing are the originals I am most proud of. The song “Sacred River” came together after hearing a rough version of the instrumental.

After several visits to the Cherokee Qualla in Western NC, and many talks with my youngest Sister, the lyrics for the song flowed quite easily. I have a rich heritage, which includes Cherokee on both sides of my family. The heritage memory is strong in me, as it is for much of the rest of my family, including my three children.

 

Music is strong in all of us as well and I continue to be honored to share our heritage through music. I have a great love of the traditional and contemporary folk genre, and it seems to be what I do best. Maybe someday our paths will cross and I can sing you a song that tells a story….

 

To learn more about Kim - check out her Facebook link at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-Keyser-Music/113569562013090?ref=sgm

 

If you would be interested in being profiled by Lisa Sahani, editor of The Creative Drum column in Whisper n Thunder, please send an email to bkfidlin@hotmail.com, and we'll put you together.

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