When we last visited with Kansas-born Kaylee Keller, she had just won the LA Music Critic Award for best lyric video for her collaboration with the Vinyljackers of her hit “Diamond.”
More recently, Keller released a duet with country singer Rusty Rierson of the Alabama classic hit, “Christmas in Your Arms.” Check out the stream below.
Today we’re sitting down with Keller for another interview on what’s new in her career. Grab a cup of coffee and learn new things about this amazing indie artist who, surprisingly, just turned 19 years old.
IVB: What have you been doing since we last talked after your win for LA Music Critic best lyric video?
KK: First, after I won, I was waiting to receive my Grammy. But seriously, I have been in Nashville for the past three months working on my new EP. I worked with some of the best songwriters in Nashville who have helped me craft my new six song EP, which I plan to release as a group of singles throughout 2017, and then release the collection near the end of 2017. I loved working with my producer Nathan Meckel. I’ve been thinking of calling the EP Ruby, as a spin-off to my first EP Diamond, so then you could look me up as the Gem Collection. We want to test the waters with each single so that they will stay fresh. I like to be a trendsetter and do my own thing as an independent artist.
IVB: Tell us about your latest project “Christmas in your Arms.”
KK: This one was a fun project. Garden City, Kansas is my hometown and they approached me to see if I wanted to be part of their annual holiday compilation album, called Kozy Kansas Christmas. It’s their fourth year of doing this CD and I was honored that they wanted me to do a song for the album.
The proceeds from the sale of the album go to fund local charities in Garden City. They only print a limited amount of CDs, which makes them more valuable.
I’ve known Rusty Rierson for about three years after we met at a Joe Diffie concert. I was doing the National Anthem, and Rusty was the opening act. After I was approached by Garden City, I asked Rusty what song we should do. He suggested that we do an Alabama song called “Christmas in Your Arms.” My mom suggested we make it a duet. Both of them proved to be great suggestions. We had a blast turning the song into a duet.
The album is available on Garden City’s Facebook page and can be purchased there. My single on the album is also available on iTunes.
The project is getting a lot of media attention, including The Ellen Show, as they begin planning for next year’s double CD.
IVB: What’s next for Kaylee Keller?
KK: I wanted my current EP, Diamond, to be country, but it turned out to be more of a pop project. I’m using my new Christmas single to introduce me to the country pop community. I’ve been called a mixture of Colbie Caillat meets country pop by local media. The new project is much more country based albeit country pop, which is where my heart truly lies. We are looking forward to bringing this side of me to my fans and to hopefully find new ones in the country pop genre.