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A SMALL TOWN GIRL REACHES FOR BIG DREAMS
She may be a small town girl but she has big dreams, dreams rivaled only by her considerable talent. Emily Kaye’s branches are bound to stretch further than her roots, and bear plenty of fruit in the process. Her artistry, with its alluring gravitational pull, makes it clear that it is just a matter of time before the white hot glow of the spotlight finds her.
With a diverse resume that includes musicals, choral groups, and various bands Emily has found her niche as a lead singer, and her genre in country music. In fact according to her, at the first practice, she knew her destiny had found her.
As beautiful to look at as she is to hear, Kaye explains that, “Country lyrics connect to real life and tell a story, whether heartbreaking or humorous. The music is interesting,” she continues, “and incorporates such a vast range of other influences that it doesn’t always sound the same.”
As lead singer, Emily does not have to reach for the limelight; it seems to reach for her wherever she goes. A case in point is the evening she was painting the town with friends and cut loose with a rousing round of karaoke. After a spirited rendition of “Redneck Woman,” she was approached by a man who promptly told her he was starting a country band and she would be perfect for lead vocals. Additionally, her distinctive style landed her a much coveted spot in the Colgate Country Showdown competition two years running.
Comfortable in her own skin, Emily has come to terms with her distinctive musical artistry, discovering that her heart is in singing. She takes advantage of every opportunity to perform and on a recent trip to Nashville to attend the CMA Music Festival; it was impossible to stop her family and friends from insisting she get up and sing karaoke.
She obliged the gang and as the last notes left her lips, perfect strangers sought her out descending the stage and insisted, “You are ready for the big stage so we expect to see you here playing at the CMA Music Festival next year.” One eager new fan was so moved that he exclaimed, “You did that even better than the original artist!”
For Emily Kaye music is a passion, not a profession. “I have never felt like where I am in life fit as much as being on stage and singing,” she explains. “It feels so natural, and I am just at home when I’m up in front of everyone.”
“It’s hard to put into words. It’s and incredible feeling walking on stage. It’s just like all the stars are in line when I am there.” Kaye says with a laugh, “That is not how I feel anywhere else in my life. It’s really the one thing I would give up anything else to do.”
The music industry is saturated with starry-eyed dreamers just aching to claw their way to the top. In contrast, however, Emily Kaye has the ambition, talent, and class to make her dreams come true. And unlike many of her fellow dreamers, she loves what she does more than she loves what it does for her.
The past year has taken her to numerous gigs including, the Norwich Pumpkin Festival, Rochester Lilac Festival, and the Williamson Firefly Concert Series. She was also among the opening acts for Mark Farner, front man for the 1970s chart topping rock sensation, Grand Funk Railroad at the Party in the Pines, in Redfield, NY.
In addition, Emily has recently completed recording a three song demo CD which can be heard by visiting, www.myspace.com/EmilyKaye0013. Composed with Daniel Gil-Marca, early responses to the recordings have been extraordinarily positive. “Everyone has their own favorite,” Emily gushes. “There hasn't been one or the other that seems to get the most attention.”
In thinking about tomorrow she muses, “I would love to be touring with a band making music, spending the time on the road writing songs. That’s really what I’d like to do in the next year, and for as long as I possibly can! As long as there are people willing to come out and hear me, I want to play!” Odds are that is exactly what Emily Kaye will be doing: reaching for her dreams as her dreams reach for her.
By: Rick Kern
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