Daily Inspiration: Meet Kara O’Kelly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara O’Kelly.

Hi Kara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in a home surrounded by music. Summers did not mean vacation in our family, it meant music festivals.

My parents have been working at Planet Bluegrass music festivals since the 80s and I now have continued that tradition. I have been working at these music festivals every summer for the last 16 years, and before that, I attended them as a festival kid. These festivals have musicians from all around the world with all different skill types. Inspiration is overwhelming.

My dad is a singer-songwriter and I have learned a lot from him. I started singing with my dad when I was 7 or 8. I picked up a guitar at the age of 15 and went in and out of practice. After I graduated high school, I went on a long journey of trying to figure out my career path. I have been a videographer, office manager, data entry clerk, hospital admissions clerk, catering staff, event manager, bar manager, mortgage vendor liaison, event decor delivery staff, and the list goes on. Somehow, nothing ever quite fit.

I started doing open mics in 2017 and in the fall of 2021, I did my first paid gig. Since then, I have constantly hustled to make music a large part of my life. I love playing music for people. Singing is something that lights me up. These past few years, I have put a lot of work and heart into creating a music career for myself. It is very hard.

I constantly am reaching out to new venues trying to sell myself. Many venues do not pay or they pay very little. It is always a challenge. I enjoy some of the local venues and the patrons are all so supportive. I play breweries, farmers markets, restaurants, weddings, corporate events, festivals, house concerts, my backyard, the tunnel near my house, and anywhere and everywhere! I often play music with my dad as well!

I write my music as well as cover songs. Songwriting is something very vulnerable, but when I share a song that hits someone in a meaningful way, I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. My influences have been John Prine, Miranda Lambert, The Chicks, Gillian Welch, and many of the local artists in Colorado. The music community in Colorado is so supportive of one another. I love it.

I have loved every minute of playing music. The journey has had its ups and downs and I do continue to work other jobs to stay financially stable. I feel like I am getting closer and closer to only having music as my source of income which will be the dream!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Struggles have been money! People who do not understand the entrepreneurial spirit. People who believe I should just get a “normal” job.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think the most important characteristics of my success have been, hard work, not listening to people who do not believe in me, persistence, and constant self-work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karaokellymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karaokellymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karaokellymusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@karaokellymusic/featured