Live Performance
Nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year – 13th Annual LA Music Awards
About Kelly
Playing over 200 nights a year, Singer/Songwriter Kelly Fitzgerald has toured all over the world as a solo and ensemble performer. She and her band have shared stages with artists such as John Hiatt, Shelby Lynn, Nancy Griffith, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, The Gin Blossoms, Vonda Shepard, The BoDeans and others.
Her much- anticipated album, “Be,” is her fifth release, following “That and Change,” “So Far,” “Halfway to Naked” and “Vesica Pisces.” Kelly also released a full length Christmas CD in November 2013 comprised of six original songs and six classic covers.
Based in L.A, Kelly travels to Nashville regularly to write and perform. She was chosen as one of the top 25 finalists in Nashville’s “Music City Songwriting Competition” for her song “I’m Done,” which appears on “That and Change.” Fitzgerald and writing partner Brian Pothier co-wrote and recorded the song “Thank You” with Christina Fulton, which premiered on MTV’s The Jersey Shore in Sept 2011.
While signed to an independent record label, Kelly and her band had the pleasure of recording the “Halfway to Naked” album with Grammy Award Winning producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick). “It was a great experience working with Jack,” says Kelly. Jack responded by saying, “The songs are well crafted and the girl sings phenomenally.”
In April 2003, the single No Easy Way Out (written by Wayne Kramer) from the “Halfway To Naked” album won accolades for the band by earning the #2 spot for the most added spins just behind Lucinda William’s “Righteously” on the triple A charts.
The “Halfway to Naked” album earned Kelly and her band a nomination for Best Adult Contemporary artist by the LA Music Awards in 2003, which they won in 2000 for the same category. Kelly was also nominated for Best Female Vocalist. In 2005, she was nominated for Best Female Vocalist and Best Solo Performer at the Orange County Music Awards and in 2006 Kelly made the “Music Connection’s Hot 100 Unsigned Artists” list.
In May of 2007 Kelly received the “Comet Award” for emerging artist by L.A Women In Music. She won the 1st place prize in the 4th Annual GINA/LAWIM Singer Songwriter Contest for her song “Summer Rain,” which you can hear on “That and Change.”
Kelly Fitzgerald is known for her soulful style, which is a blend of folk, blues and rock. Influenced by Billie Holiday, Ricky Lee Jones and Led Zeppelin, Kelly’s voice has been likened to Bonnie Raitt, with a contemporary comparison to Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow. The result is music that is smooth and gritty, honest and moving.
Kelly was born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts where she performed in nightclubs with local bands while attending high school. Shortly after high school, she left Salem and began touring throughout the U.S., including Hawaii and the Caribbean, with long-time friend and songwriting partner, guitarist Brian Pothier.
After years of touring, Kelly and Brian landed in Southern California in 1989, where they met drummer and collaborator Adam Roach.
Together with her band, Kelly has created a grass roots following across the U.S. and the world as they have traveled to Europe and Mexico and performed for the U.S. and NATO troops in Bosnia and throughout the Balkan Islands.
So far, Kelly is enjoying a lifelong career doing what she loves most: writing, performing and sharing her music with audiences around the world.
“Vocalist Kelly Fitzgerald sings with authority, painting pictures with her words; the players are tight and the arrangements nicely varied. Strong lyrics and a singer who knows how to deliver them…”
—Music Connection Magazine
“There is something about Kelly Fitzgerald’s voice that is extraordinary. It’s warm and smooth as butter, with just enough rasp to make it sexy and real. ”
—OC Metro
“Armed with an emotive and wonderful voice, Kelly Fitzgerald continues to make leaps as a songwriter as evidenced by her third and latest CD, So Far.”
— Robert Kinsler, Dana Point News
“Her third and finest CD, titled So Far, is the culmination of all she is today. It’s a timeless, soulful recording steeped in the tradition of rock, country and acoustic blues, warm, loving embrace with a compelling personal voice dipped in a vat of life experience and humor.”
—Music Connection Magazine
“Her powerful voice is confident on the new record, and the frequently bluesy accompaniment gives it a gospel feel”
—Performing Songwriter
“Finally a clear poignant woman who doesn’t whine. Kelly Fitzgerald is not only tops on our play list but in my personal collection as well.”
—Liz Mann, WLPW