Cindy Kalmenson

Cindy Kalmenson's 3rd Independent release, I'm Not Leaving, on her own Big Gack Records, follows her critically acclaimed, 2nd CD, Witness. Co-produced by Dave Pomeroy, this album features 11 original tunes and one cover in Spanish which is Cindy's trademark.

Before moving to Nashville in 1996, Cindy lived in Santa Monica and Santa Cruz, Ca. where she taught bilingual education and high school Spanish for 8 years. In addition to being a full time teacher, Cindy performed in many community theater productions. After moving back to her native Los Angeles from Santa Cruz to pursue acting, she quickly discovered that she could be on stage any night of the week at the many open mic nights all around the city, with one catch ~ you must write your own songs, so that's when the song writing began, as a way to get back on stage, this time with guitar in hand. After a couple years playing the coffeehouse circuit in LA, she put herself to the test. In 1996 she packed her car and made the move to Nashville determined to record an album of her own songs. Two years later her debut CD, Let Me Out Here was completed. The title track went on to win best country song in the 2003 International Song writing contest and was featured on Big Love, a popular new show on HBO. Alabama Bliss and The Damage Was Done were also winners at the South Florida Folk Festival which landed Cindy a headlining spot the following year. After living in Nashville for 2 years it was evident to her that she was not ready to return to California. Instead she began booking herself and touring all around the country to promote and sell her CD. In 2002, Cindy recorded Witness, her second CD, co-produced by Grammy Award Winner Jon Randall. Witness, the title track, won first place at the prestigious Chris Austin Song writing contest at Merle Fest in 2002. Right or Wrong, won 3rd place that same year. Hobo Rock Star, written by Cindy and Lisa Carver won best Americana song by Just Plain Folks the following year. Witness was named one of the top 10 CDs of 2002 by the Santa Monica Mirror and Cindy was twice awarded DIY pick by Performing Songwriter Magazine. She was then chosen again as a spotlight artists by PS magazine.

A true indie girl at heart she has been booking, promoting and touring ever since 1997. One look at her web site and you will see the miles she has driven just so she can sing and play her sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes high energy and sometimes tear jerking songs. With her gypsy spirit and her sense of adventure she's singing her way across the country and Europe, enchanting audiences with her wit and honesty. To see her live you witness the charm of a true artist born to be on stage.

Cindy is also the founder and host of the very successful show that began in 1996 called Girls with Guitars showcasing some of the finest singer songwriters in Nashville. Many of the girls have gone on to major label contracts and publishing deals.