Kelly Aspen

Music Row Magazine - September 2006

Robert K. Oarmann, Nashville’s toughest music critic & music reviewer for Music Row Magazine honored Kelly with his coveted “Discovery Award” and raved about her recently released radio single, “House Of A Thousand Dreams” in his music review column...

“Sweetly moving. Bering Strait-er Ilya shows definite promise as a producer. Kelly’s vocal is an emotional bulls-eye. The hard-times lyric is as strong as the melody in this winner”
- Music Row Magazine

P.H.C. Article

Hey John Denver, Kelly Aspen owes you one! She was born in Houston, Texas, but because her mother loved John Denver songs and the pictures they painted in her mind, they left the Lone Star State and moved to Colorado. It's been Kelly's home ever since, and she likes it that way. She lives in Johnstown, a small town southwest of Greeley. By the time she was 5, Kelly knew that she'd grow up to be a singer. Barely into kindergarten, she announced that intention to her family. Now, a couple of decades later, she has stayed true to her plan. Fans are lining up at clubs, fairs, festivals and rodeos to hear her sing "mainstream country with a bluegrass twist" -as she puts it. She is also wrapping up a degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. Kelly's CD, titled Kelly Aspen, is on the Aspen Music Group label.
- A Prairie's Home Companion

Kelly Aspen
"House Of A Thousand Dreams"

Writers: Billy Montana, Jenai, Ilya Toshinski; Producer: Ilya Toshinski

A native Texan, Kelly Aspen was literally “moved” by the music when her mother fell in love with Colorado, inspired by the songs of John Denver. Across the Rocky Mountain region Aspen is known for her angelic voice, her intense songwriting and her unique style. She is drawn to the music of artists such as Sara Evans, Alison Krauss, Jamie O’Neal, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Little Big Town, and also admires the songwriting, charisma and passion of John Denver, Garth Brooks, George Strait and Chris Leduc. Aspen has opened for many national country acts, including Lonestar, Tee Herndon and Chad Brock. Additionally, she has appeared in two nationally televised commercials, performed on Prairie Home Companion, and was named “Country’s Next Big Star” by Denver’s WB2 (KWGN). Producer Ilya Toshinsky (of Bering Strait) was at the helm for the recording of Aspen’s single “House Of A Thousand Dreams,” which was Robert K. Oermann's DisCovery Award winner Sept. 15 and is going for adds Sept. 25.
- Music Row Magazine

Newscaster 1: Well, you saw country legend Reba earlier tonight, here on the WB, now listen to this…(Kelly Aspen singing an original and playing guitar) Up next we’ll introduce you to someone here in Colorado who could be country’s next big star.

Newscaster 2: Well, who is Kelly Aspen? If you haven’t heard of her you might want to take a listen…(Kelly Aspen singing) The local singer songwriter is working hard to be the next country music star. Shalene Cockrell tunes us into her talent. (Kelly Aspen singing)

Shalene Cockrell: Her voice has been described as unlike any other, an innocent yet sensual sound that grabs the listener. It all started when Kelly was a little girl and it’s grown from there.

Kelly Aspen: About third or fourth grade I started singing in front of the mirror with my brush and telling everyone “I’m gonna be famous, I’m gonna be famous”, so it’s always been a dream of mine.

Shalene Cockrell: In seventh grade Kelly started writing songs, filling notebook after notebook with lyrics and hearing the melodies in her head.
Kelly Aspen: I think it was just my way of expressing myself, so I’ve been writing for quite a long time and the longer you write, the more you write, the better you keep getting at it. (Kelly singing)

Shalene Cockrell: As an adult Kelly starting taking serious steps to make her dream a reality and at twenty-six, she has now put together a ten song album of her own, a style she calls country with rock behind it.

Kelly Aspen: I wouldn’t call it pop but it has that drive, that excitement, that just pulls you to it and I really love bluegrass instrumentation.

Shalene Cockrell: A sound that Kelly is hoping will get her a major label recording deal. After five years of regular trips to Nashville, many for months at a time, Kelly also was recently picked up by a manager.

Kelly Aspen: We’re just trying to get the momentum going and get the people out in Nashville thinking “Man who’s that girl, she looks like she’s doing something”.

Shalene Cockrell: With a band and a growing fan base she undoubtedly is, and while she knows there are no guarantees and the road isn’t easy, she’s enjoying the ride.

Kelly Aspen: It’s the chase; just the game of trying to get it is a kick. So I’m gonna keep on doing it for as long as I’m having fun and just hope that it’s in my will.

Newscaster 2: Well, that’s great, and even if Nashville never calls Kelly wants to have a successful career right here in Colorado…
- Interview w/ Denver's WB2 News

As the summer heats up to an evening of hot country music at the Logan County Fair and Rodeo’s night show on Sat. Aug. 13, music fans will not only get to hear country super band Lonestar up close and personal at the grandstands, concert goers will also have chance to discover Colorado’s “up and coming country star,” Kelly Aspen.
Aspen, who hails from northern Colorado, will hit the stage with her “hit-kicking” five-piece band at 8 p.m. that night, as an opening act for the headline performance of the award winning Lonestar band.
She was recently named “Colorado’s up and coming country star” by WB2 News in Denver.
Across the Rocky Mountain region, Aspen is well known for her angelic voice, her intense song writing and her unique style. A native Texan, Kelly was literally “moved” by the music when her mother fell in love with Colorado inspired by the songs of John Denver.
The 26-year-old recently cut an 11-song, self-titled CD in Nashville by Toyland Production. The CD isn’t available in retail stores yet, but it is
offered on her web site (www.kellyaspen.com).
Aspen’s performed on several stages, including the Grizzly Rose, Budweiser Event Center, McNichol’s Arena, Brown Palace, White Buffalo, Buffalo Rose, Sundance and Gibson Bluegrass Showcase, plus many other clubs, fairs, festivals and rodeos such as Buffalo Bill Days, New West Fest and Western Welcome Week.
She has competed and has either won or was a finalist in numerous talent competitions such as Country Idol, Country Talent Search, Fast Track to Fame, UNC Idol and the Golden Talent Search.
Kelly has been in two nationally televised commercials and was named ‘Country’s Next Big Star” by Denver’s WB2 (KWGN).
Steve McGrew, otherwise known as “Mudflap” from Denver’s KYGO morning show and three-time CMA winner said, “Kelly Aspen is the real deal. Her performance (is) one that so many only dream of being able to do. Her singing style is best described as.... well, her own. And isn’t that what every performer should have? Kelly has everything it takes to be a star.”
Aspen’s preferred genre is main- stream country with a bluegrass twist. She finds herself drawn to the complex productions of artists such as Dixie Chicks, Sara Evans and Alison Krauss.
In addition to establishing a successful career in Colorado, Kelly maintains strong business relationships in the Nashville community by frequently recording, co-writing and promoting new material, while remaining involved in her church band and a Christmas caroling group called the Colorado Carolers.
“Kelly Aspen is the kind of performer who bolsters the burgeoning theory that talented, musically savvy female singer/songwriters will soon buck Britney and her teen peers,” wrote Laura Bond in ‘The Westword.” “More a country songbird than an American Idol, the post collegiate Aspen sings in pure, nasal-tinged soprano tones that recall Miss Par-ton herself. Sometimes layered with warbling steel guitars and brush drum accompaniment, Aspen’s music is so gosh darn squeaky clean, you might not realize she’s exploring themes of desire (‘I Want More’ and I Wanna Feel’) and coming into womanhood. Hear her roar .... 'er, chirp.” - Sentinal Daily