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| Kelly Lang |
Transitional periods in our lives can be quite difficult.
The stress resulting from change is usually enough to make us doubt our initial
decision of life modification. Nevertheless, we trudge onward, because normally
going backward is not an option. Earlier in the week I was reminded of my own
career changes from musician to publishing. The period of change was not quick,
in fact the overall transition took a period of several years. The changes left
some holes in my life, but also built a few bridges that are still useful
today.
While working in the music industry, I was introduced to
literally thousands of other artists, producers, business owners, and more. Of
course I did lose contact with some, but many provided invaluable sources of
help as I moved on to the next life venture. I thought about all of this a
while ago as I read about our featured artist this week, Kelly Lang.
Kelly was born the youngest of 4 children in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma. Her father, Velton Lang, was the road manager of Country superstar,
Conway Twitty for over 25 years. Kelly recorded her first Billboard single,
“Lady, Lady” at the age of 15, filmed a video that came to the attention of
CMT—, and in rapid fire time was soon appearing as a regular on Nashville’s
popular Ralph Emery Morning Show. Kelly's teen years were a whirlwind that
found the dark haired, green-eyed beauty poised on the very edge of a
breakthrough to major stardom. She moved to national attention as a frequent
guest on the highly popular Music City Tonight, with Crook & Chase,
televised on TNN. Kelly next made the finals of Ed McMahon's popular
weekly-televised Star Search— bringing her vibrant, emotion filled vocal style
to mainstream audiences.
Kelly became a semi-regular artist on Ralph’s Emery's
popular “Nashville Now” on TNN, pulling in major viewer mail and a large
national fan base. On the road in concert, Kelly shared billings with legends
such as Barry Gibb, Ronnie Milsap, Brenda Lee, George Jones, Lorrie Morgan,
Ricky Skaggs, TG Sheppard and many of the hot new artists from her own peer
group. Kelly has made music her true passion. Along with balancing a busy
career as a performing artist, Kelly is a highly sought after and accomplished
songwriter and producer. Kelly's songs have been featured on the major motion
picture screen and have been recorded by artists such as Lorrie Morgan, Jerry
Lee Lewis, Crystal Gayle, George Jones, BJ Thomas, The Oak Ridge Boys, and
Janie Frickie to name a few.
Without a doubt, Kelly Lang’s long and illustrious music
career has helped her meet a wide variety of popular musicians and many others
involved in the music industry. Sometimes just knowing someone who knows
another person can be enough to forge a successful business relationship. That
was how I found some of the better music engineers whom I worked with years
ago. For Kelly Lang those relationships have blossomed into much more than mere
business arrangements. On August 21, 2007 Kelly Lang and singer TG Sheppard
were married in a star-studded ceremony in Tennessee.
Personal relationships and business are sometimes strange,
if not interesting bedfellows. There are times when it all falls apart and
strains the business aspect of the partnership. Then there are times when
family and friends can be a true asset to balancing success and private life. Kelly
Lang has been surrounded by musicians her entire life, and that usually is the
recipe for a young person choosing the music industry for a career. Most young
people find it easier to follow their circle of influence, and Kelly Lang has
found music as her passion. Moreover, that long list of musician friends has
provided a nice pool of accompanying talent for the singer/songwriter.
Over the past couple of weeks I took time to listen to some
of Kelly Lang’s music, as I normally do when planning to feature any artist.
Her critically acclaimed Shades of K is one of the greatest albums for those
moments when you just want to relax and listen to something soothing. It is
filled with great classic songs that include impeccable musical arrangements.
As I listened it gave me real insight into the singer Kelly Lang. I was able to
truly hear her voice and interpretation of the songs and enjoy them. When any
of you get an opportunity, download Shades of K and enjoy.
Kelly Lang is not slowing down from making music. No, she is
continuing with the job of bringing music and joy to large concert audiences. She
is also working on a new album project. In fact, a few weeks ago when Kelly
Lang's long-time friend Paul Shaffer visited Nashville for vacation, they did
what most musicians do. They made music, recording a track for her upcoming
album in their first studio session together. “I've known Paul forever, but
we'd never had the chance to perform together,” said Lang. “He came down on
vacation to see me, check out Nashville, and do a show. After that, we decided,
'Why not record this for the record'?” Shaffer had originally come to town to
visit Lang and to play a July 4th show as Lang's special guest. Lang is a
regular performer in the annual Remembering Conway Twitty show at Loretta
Lynn’s Ranch. This year, she performed “Goodbye Darling,” a song she wrote
about Twitty. For her second song, she chose “Last Date,” a song Twitty fans
know for the moving lyrics he wrote to the Floyd Cramer tune.
It was the magic of "Last Date" Shaffer and Lang
decided to capture when they made it into the studio. "It's just such a
magical song, and Paul brings so much to it, so much feeling and passion,"
Lang said. "You can hear it all on the record when it comes out. And
there's a lot of surprises, too." Lang is playing it close to the vest about the songs she’s
including on the album. And, while she won't reveal the full song list or popular
names that might find their way into the credits, she does say people will be
surprised and pleased with the collection, which she likens to her last album
of classic songs, Shades of K.
Now we can look forward to another wonderful album. We will
soon hear the musical magic that comes from Kelly Lang and her Friends and
Family.
* photo by Jarrett Gaza
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