Exclusive Interview: Kimberly Caldwell
With her debut album, Without Regret, coming out in less than a week, Kimberly Caldwell is admittedly excited. And why wouldn’t she be? This album has been something she’s been working toward most all of her life. Literally.
I had the chance to chat with Kim about the album and her experiences that led up to its making, and let me just tell ya’ll- not only is her enthusiasm infectious, but she’s got to be one of the most down to earth people ever. Check out the interview after the jump!
Stella: Without Regret is due out next week, on April 19th, How excited are you?
Kimberly: I’m really excited. I mean, it’s kind of like a lifelong dream coming true in a week. There’s been quite a few times that it’s supposed to have been released and so this time I’m just really ready!
Stella: What about a favorite song on the album, do you have one?
Kimberly: There’s a song called “Say Love”, it’s definitely one of my favorites. It’s a stand out song for me. We’ve been on the road the last few months and we’ve been doing acoustic shows all over and it’s just one that always goes over so well with the crowd. People really connect with it and it was one of those songs that just came out of me and I was really excited once the song was finished because I knew it was going to be something special and would be part of the album. And it was actually one of the first songs ever written for the album.
Stella: What would you say has been the best part of the whole album recording/promoting process so far?
Kimberly: I think I would have to say, being in the studio when we went in with the band. The producer of some of the tracks is Marshall Altman and he brought in some musicians that I still now, to this day, work and play live with, and they are some of the best musicians out there. Michael Chavez, who has been touring with me lately, he is an unbelievable guitar player and has toured with John Mayer and Mandy Moore. So just seeing all these incredible musicians playing songs that I had written to life was unbelievable.
Stella: Well, I know you’re a Reba fan, just as I am- What other artists, would you say, inspire you musically?
Kimberly: Starting from a really young age, you know, I grew up in Katy, Texas and country music was readily accessible so I loved Reba McEntire. The Judds was actually the last concert that I went to with my mom and my sister, and then there was Vince Gill and Alabama and so all those ’90s country artists are a huge inspiration for me. And then at a little bit older age I was introduced to chick rock like Heart and Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt and Pat Benetar and Joan Jett and all these women with these powerful voices that really opened the door for women today to have a voice and not be scared to say what’s on their mind.
Stella: Did you always know you wanted be a musician?
Kimberly: Very much so, you know (laughs), I was never really good at school except for English. I was just never really able to focus unless it had something to do with creativity. I just always knew that this was my thing and that I really wouldn’t be happy unless I was entertaining in some aspect.
Stella: So, What’s next?
Kimberly: Right now I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m going to be VH1′s Rock n’ Roll Fantasy Camp host this year, which I’m really excited about. I’d love to do a little bit more acting, having dabbled in a little bit of that. And of course, get this album out and do shows wherever I can.
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It should be noted that we also got into a little bit of a chat about our ’90s country music experiences, you know, both being from the Southern U.S…. My thoughts? Kimberly Caldwell is awesome and debut album will no doubt be awesome too. So, mark your calendars for Tuesday and if you get a chance to see her in concert- Go!
Of course, you can keep up to date with all things Kimberly Caldwell HERE at her website. And for your listening pleasure, take a listen to “Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys” (from Without Regret) below! Enjoy!
