kelly

Kelly Shively's musical style is a reflection of her life and upbringing. Having
grown up on the farm--a self-proclaimed modern day Laura Ingalls--she loves
the old ways and music and tries to weave them into the songs that she writes.
Singing songs that combine love, family, and farming with the humor, faith, and
hope also involved in her lifestyle, her clear, soprano voice has been known to
stop people in their tracks and draw them into her songs.

A father that made up sing-song rhymes to fit his every day work, a Methodist
grandma that demanded attendance in her Junior Choir, and piano lessons that
started at the age of nine (you know, the ones that Mom had always wanted to
take, but couldn't), put Kelly on a musical path that often surprises her.

As with many musicians, one instrument leads to another, and after the piano,
the Celtic harp was next to steal Kelly's heart. ( The one that she now plays was
made for her by an old-time friend of the family.)   A clawhammer banjo was next
on the scene, sounding out another facet of her personality, and her last
instrumental adventure has been with a very special fiddle, Squeak Slayer, with
a voice and beauty that belie its young age. All of these instruments have
become dear friends, and add to the heart of Kelly's music.

Up until the graduation of the youngest of her three home-schooled daughters,
Kelly's music career was limited.    Her performances consisted mostly of
weddings, occasional coffee houses, and ladies' gatherings, where the harp was
often a favorite. Now, in the freedom of the post-school years, she is enjoying
all the new avenues of music that are opening up to her. The duet with Rick
Meisterheim, Harmony & Grits, daily tests her instrumental prowess, along with
allowing her to create vocal harmonies to blend with Rick's full, baritone voice.
The blending of these two voices has been met with widespread approval, and
the pair will be heard at more and more festivals and coffee houses, as they
continue to sing together.   At the same time, Kelly will continue to take on solo
gigs, as scheduling permits.