A Homecoming

She's opened for Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett. Her second CD is being released this month to rave peer reviews. But ask Old Saybrook native Kelly Riley to name the pinnacle of her musical career thus far, and she's likely to point to an achievement secured in 6th grade.

"The first time I performed was in an assembly" at Old Saybrook Middle School, Riley recalls. "I did a duet with a friend...We traded verses back and forth and it was a big hit...Everyone went wild. When I went back to the classroom, my teacher [Mr. Cooke] led everyone in applause...That feeling of people validating you for something you love to do" is invaluable to a young person.

Given her affinity for her hometown, it's no surprise that Riley has chosen to debut her new CD at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center on Sunday, July 17 at 7 p.m. Riley will bring with her each musician who performs on the CD, as well as Porch Party Mamas, the group of "gal pals" with which she performs outside of her solo act.

And you can bet that Mr. Cooke will be there, too.

"He emailed me when he heard about the show!" says Riley.

Last week, Living chatted with the artist about her craft, her experience growing up on the shoreline, and her advice for aspiring musicians.

Do you see your time spent in Old Saybrook as having prepared you for your career?

I was very fortunate to grow up having the musical programs that I had, and also to have the parents that I have who were completely supportive of my interests. Every school that I was at had a band and a chorus class and a jazz band, never mind the fabulous musical every year...I had my first band when I was there. So I had a lot of musical experiences that cultivated my interests and really helped me to hone...what I wanted to do.

How would you describe your sound?

This record coming out is very country influenced, but it's more contemporary country, more pop country...It's definitely influenced by a lot of stuff I listened to growing up-folk rock, country, the blues, Americana, from The Beatles to the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor.

What are some significant challenges you've faced in your career?

As an artist you want to spend time on your craft and it doesn't always coincide with making a living...I make all my income from musical activities, so I'm very, very fortunate that way, but I run a small teaching business, so it's very time-consuming. In an ideal world I'd spend more of my time being an artist. Balancing those things-paying your bills and living your life the way you want it-that's a challenge. I'm not into being a starving artist; I'm not a martyr.

What have been some of the high points of your career so far?

A few things stand out: starting to sing in my first band in high school, then making a decision to go to Berklee [School of Music]. Also, when I went to learn guitar from my first guitar teacher, Jim Shepley (who will be at the CD release party), he didn't look at me like a young person or like a girl, which I really appreciated. He just gave me the real stuff...everything I could absorb-and that still comes into play. The things I learned from him as a teenager I still use.

Then...when I made my first CD I had some of my songs placed...on some daytime soaps nationally and internationally.

Then the biggest thing happened-I opened for Willie Nelson...and I got to meet him. Then, six weeks later, I opened for Lyle Lovett.

What advice would you give to aspiring singer/songwriters?

I teach lots of kids and one of the things I've noticed that's changed since when I and my peers were studying is that there doesn't seem to be as much of an understanding of how much focus and discipline it takes to be successful at anything. I would say that if you really want to get better at anything you do in the arts...you have to put the time in to get better at it...Be willing to learn from other people, be humble, and admit when you do have more that you need to learn. Just persevere and if it's really a dream and a goal for you...don't let it just be a dream-do the work that it takes to be at the top of your game and be competitive.

What are you looking forward to most about returning to your hometown?

My family; we're all very close! And the idea of bringing so many people together that all have so much in common, but they haven't connected in a long time...I have this feeling that it's going to be like one or two degrees of separation in there. I'm a little nervous about it, but I'm very excited...to be sharing this really awesome, special moment with them...I'm very proud of this achievement.

The Kelly Riley Band and Porch Party Mamas each perform a set at The Kate, 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, on Sunday, July 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information and to purchase tickets, call The Kate Box Office at 877-503-1286 or visit www.thekate.org.

Riley will be selling copies of her new CD (engineered by Dave Jamrog of Snappy Tracks, who also happens to be her drummer) at the event. It will also be available at CDBaby.com/CD/kellyriley. For more information about Riley, visit www.kellyriley.net. For more information about Porch Party Mamas, visit www.porchpartymamas.com.