Recently I had the pleasure of attending a friend’s song release show. Living in Nashville, it’s all too familiar to hear about single-release parties or album celebrations. I’ve been to a few of them and, I won’t lie, they’re quite fun. But, having the pleasure of going to this particular song release was the perfect reminder as to why I wanted to move to Tenessee in the first place.
Kayley Bishop, a rising star in the making has made quite the name for herself. She was a contestant on the hit TV reality show competition, The Voice, and was on Blake Shelton's team. Although she wasn’t a finalist, (which honestly I don’t understand why) it gave her the foundation to skyrocket her career into the budding flower it is today. Her most recent single, “Hold On Honey”, is the defining factor in reaching new levels with her voice and music journey. The show was one to remember and made me want to jump on stage, grab a mic, and sing along.
Let me set the scene for you: Her show starts with a writers’ round with a few artists who showcase their talent in numerous melodies. Each of them poured out their hearts on stage and gave such heartfelt, and meaningful performances. They warmed up the crowd just right, each with a ballad and upbeat tempo that surely showed off each one’s strengths.
After a few minutes of intermission, Kayley was introduced and started with a few different singles she had released in previous months. Every song told a story that I was able to relate to. The show painted a great picture as if I was getting coffee with my best gal pal and hashing out all our feelings. Each song came from a special place that dug deep into what she felt in each season. To describe her voice is to pin down a wild animal. It had so much depth behind it. Her falsetto was flawless, gliding through each song as if it were molded to her vocal cords. The range was through the roof. I honestly wasn’t sure if there was a note she couldn’t hit. But along with her chops, she had so much stage presence.
I thought the energy was going to bust through the windows and carry to Broadway. Getting the crowd involved was no issue as we all were laughing, and singing; some were even crying it was that powerful. Kayley is a powerhouse who knows how to own a stage. When her final set came on, hold on honey, because woah did it get good. Her backup vocals added the beefiness that the live band needed to truly drive home the message. I could tell inspiration came from the heart and she has a passion for reaching people, and the heart through every struggle someone might deal with.
The single is out now and I highly recommend listening to it. It’s another story that’s told sensitively, driving home the message of holding onto hope, even when all feels lost. Kayley makes it very clear that the Lord is doing great work in her craft, as she gives Him glory in all the successes she has. Keep an eye on this artist. I have a feeling she's only getting started.