Native from Texas, Kelsey Bridges has performed her entire life and when she made the move to California it was no different. Bridges has been recognized as a gifted vocalist winning multiple awards such as; the West Coast Country Music Association’s Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year. Bridges lends her voice to Rock the Oaks as well, an organization and school focused on helping at risk youth.
Bridges latest release is, “Someone, Sometimes” which was inspired by a Pinterest Quote that Bridges found one night which sparked the bluesy ballad of a lonely call.
Courtesy of Kelsey Bridges
What is your background with music?
KB: “My background with music is a very loaded question,” Bridges says. “My mother is a vocal coach so I’ve been singing since I can remember.”
You make pop/country music, but what drew you to Country Music in the first place?
KB: “I was born in Texas so that helped a lot. My dad was in the military - he was a very country man and both of my parents listened to country music. It was a way of life for us.”
What was your first time performing in front of an audience?
KB: “I think I was around seven years old, I don’t remember the feeling I had but my mom tells the story all of the time. Mom had a recital that I was not supposed to sing at but I kept asking and asking. My mom asked me what I wanted to sing and I said Jesus, Take The Wheel. She asked me if I wanted to practice and I said, ‘nope. I just wanna sing it.” Bridges tells me. “She says I got up there and sang it perfectly like I had practiced but I don’t actually remember any of that.”
To be so young and to not get nervous is amazing, does that translate to when you perform now?
KB: “Yeah, I don’t get nervous, I get excited. I’ve been doing it for so long it’s nothing new for me, It’s just fun and I feel myself when I perform.”
Speaking of not getting nervous, you sang for 45,000 people at Monster Energy’s Supercross, what was that experience like?
KB: “That was amazing with all the lights and screaming. I sang the National Anthem so of course everyone is patriotic and screaming. I had my mom there with me, she was singing alongside me.” Bridges says, “I was the most nervous that I could be at the event but I had my mom there and it was one of the best experiences.”
When you have your headlining tour in the works, what do you hope it looks like?
KB: “Because I’m a growing artist I would want to have someone extremely underground open for me to try and help push their career if I ever got the opportunity. I’d also want my openers to create a similar but different style of music than mine for my audience.”
Who are musical inspirations of yours?
KB: “As far as my inspirations in Pop music I’d say Lennon and Stella or Leon, they are completely different vocalists and artists but they are great. My country influence is one hundred percent, Kacey Musgraves,” Bridges continues. “Everything that I would ever want to be minus the dark hair, I’ll keep the blonde.” Bridges laughs.
For the past few years you’ve lent your voice to Rock the Oaks, what can you tell me about the organization and why have you chosen to sing for this cause?
KB: “My mom works there with their performing arts program and what the organization is, is a school that helps at risk youth; those with Autism, a lot of kids with parents who need help taking care of their children with anger issues and mental instabilities.” Bridges explains. “Rock the Oaks is the only funding that goes towards the performing arts program. Whatever I can do to help, I am going to. Some of the kids in that program come out completely different people. I would go with my mom every Wednesday - I’d see kids before when they came to the school and see them years later and the changes they had made because of music.”
What an incredible thing you’re doing! Is there a goal you have for your music?
KB: “My biggest goal as far as my music is to be able to release music that I’m one hundred percent happy with. Yes, I want to make music that other people enjoy but I want to be proud of the music I produce. I’d also love to perform at Red Rocks, Colorado!”
Your most recent release is, “Someone, Sometimes” What can you tell me about the song?
KB: “I saw a quote on Pinterest that said, Someone Sometimes and I thought to myself what a good lyric that would be and how we all have that person when we’re lonely we just pick up the phone and call. I just felt like it was really relatable to a lot of people.” Says Bridges.
What is your favorite lyric from Someone, Sometimes?
KB: “put the fun in dysfunctional, you can thank Daniel (Martin) for that one, it was a good play on words.”
If you could remix this song as a duet, who would you ask?
KB: “I would ask my girl, Kacey (Musgraves), It’s totally not her style, but just so I can hang out with her.” Bridges laughs.
What can fans expect from you next?
KB: “They can look forward to a little more pop influence into my country music.”
If you could say one thing to the whole world, and the whole world would listen what would you say?
KB: “Stop giving country music such a hard time. People give it so much crap and it’s so good. Just give it a chance.”