 Courtesy of the Artist
A dynamic new voice in country music, Kalie Shorr is rapidly gaining attention in Music City and beyond. In January of this year, the singer-songwriter released her new EP, Awake, a seven-song collection of guitar-led country that showcases Shorr’s contemporary writing and fresh melodies. Having recently toured with Sara Evans and Raelynn on CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour, the emerging artist is heading to NYC on April 28th for her first full-band headlining show at Opry City Stage. Ahead of the performance, Shorr kindly took the time to chat about Awake, her involvement in Song Suffragettes, and more!
2018 has been a very busy year for you beginning with the release of your EP, Awake, in January. Is there a special significance in calling the project Awake, which is also the title of the first track on the project? “Awake” was one of the first songs I wrote for the project. My producer, Skip, and I were planning to write with a friend, but that person ended up getting sick and instead of canceling the write, we decided to write together - and it ended up being one of the most emotional writing days I ever had. We had written together for other artists, but we had never written a Kalie Shorr song together and on that day, I felt like we really connected. I allowed myself to go to a vulnerable place and we got the song “Awake,” which is everything I wanted to say to that person, but forgot to, when we spoke on the phone. I knew that I wanted to begin work on a new project and had a gut feeling that “Awake” was the sound that I been looking for, so I texted Skip and asked how he felt about cutting a master of the track and he was all for it. From there, the idea for the EP was born. This past summer was an amazingly creative period where I dialed into what I wanted to say, as well as my sound. It was like an awakening and I thought Awake would be the perfect title for the project. Being that you write for yourself and others, were all the songs written in that period over the summer? “Cool Kids”, “Backseat,” and “Candy” were but “Two Hands” and “Who What Where When Why” had longer journeys. “Two Hands” was written for Slingshot but didn’t make the cut. However, I had a special place in my heart for that one because it was the first love song I had ever written that felt true to the way I fall in love, so I decided to put it on Awake. “Who What When Where Why” was a song I wrote in LA for Selena Gomez; that didn’t end up working out, and in the end it was fine because I always loved the song and am so glad it made the EP. 
The first single from the project is “Two Hands.” Will there be a second coming?
Putting “Two Hands” out as the first single just felt right. My previous project had more of a pop lean, but as I came into my own, I realized country rock is where my heart is, so I felt “Two Hands” was the perfect segway from the last project to this one. The next single, which I am very excited about, is going to be “Candy”, which may be the fluffiest lyrically, but is a song I love and can stand behind. I always say the two things I have a hard time saying no to are a candy bar and a boy in a leather jacket (laughing), so I wrote about those. “Candy” is so fun and lyrically really clever. You just finished up your first tour, the CMT Next Women of Country Tour with Sara Evans and Raelynn, how was that? This was my first real tour and it was amazing. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to tour with than Sara and Raelynn. Sara is an icon and to see her play hit after hit every night was inspiring. Raelynn and I are pretty much the same age and have so much in common. I love her music and what she does; she's a spitfire and a great human. Sounds like it was a very special tour. You hit another landmark when you made your Grand Ole Opry debut March 31st. Playing the Opry was something I wanted to do since I was a little girl and getting to do it was absolutely incredible. Right before the end of the CMT tour, I got the call from my publicist who told me I was invited to play the Opry. It was such a moment for me, I full body sobbed. I didn’t cry too much on stage though (laughing), it just felt so good to be up there! And not only that, but all the Opry members who were there that night were all so nice to me. Jeanne Sealey gave me a tour, Ricky Skaggs, who just got inducted, was so incredibly kind and they all signed my poster. It meant so much. Someone else who played that night was Terri Clark, who I have always been a massive fan of. I was in LA a couple summers ago and found this old school Terri Clark tee with fringe that I wear all the time, and I didn’t know it, but every time I wore it someone would tell Terri so when we met that night she said, ‘You’re shirt girl!’ (laughing) I’ve become known a shirt girl and that’s okay. That’s awesome! You’re playing another Opry stage, the Opry City Stage in NYC on April 28th. Will this be your first time in NYC? We played our first CMT Tour show at B.B. Kings, but this will be my first time headlining in NYC. On that tour, it was me, my guitar, and pedal board, but this time I will be bringing my band. I'm really looking forward to it! Another avenue you’re involved with in music is the Song Suffragettes. How did you become involved with them? Song Suffragettes was born because women in country music just weren’t getting the attention they deserve. At the time, I hadn’t even noticed this was a problem because even though they weren't getting played on the radio, they were all I played on my playlists, which had females like Miranda, Kacey, Ashley, and Carrie on them. So, shortly after I moved to Nashville, I was approached to do an all-female round. Myself, Lena Stone, and other girls came together, practiced, designed the stage décor and began these weekly rounds. It was such a cool thing to be a part of, and still is four years later. I feel so lucky to have found the Song Suffragettes so early in my Nashville story. It was amazing for me professionally, and personally, to have this place, make friends, and now, watch it grow. It’s the gift keeps on giving. Collaboration is a big part of what you ladies do having joined forces on “Female” and “Times Up," and when you watch the videos, you get the sense that you're truly a community who genuinely like one another. That feels good to hear because obviously, you want it to come across that way. You know, when you move here, and everyone is better than you are, you can feel that voice telling you to be competitive, but my female friendships are some of the most fulfilling friendships I have. I’m so glad I have friends who don’t feel threatened by one another and are genuinely supportive of one another. And it’s not coming from a place of inauthenticity – it’s legitimate. We understand what each other is going through, we genuinely love one another, and we want one another to be successful. We practice what we preach and that’s what is going to make a change, I feel it happening and I’m very proud to be a part of it. Kalie Shorr plays NYC's Opry City Stage 4/28. Details below. When: April 28th Where: Opry City Stage NYC Time: 8pm Tickets: $20 Keep up with Kalie Website/Facebook/Twitter/Purchase
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