Life never seems to slow down for two-time Grammy nominee Sarah Kelly. While it may appear to some that Kelly was settling down when she moved to Houston with her husband last year to begin leading worship at the Fellowship of The Woodlands, however Kelly’s career is undoubtedly taking on new speed.
This summer, Kelly traveled extensively, touring in Sweden to support the European release of her album “Midnight Sun.” The project, which received much critical acclaim with its US release last fall, has undoubtedly struck a chord with Scandinavian fans, as it hit the National Swedish music charts at #28.
“It's been a great year so far as I've been able to travel across the US for my new album, Midnight Sun and play these new songs live,” explains Kelly. “But the past few weeks in Sweden, The Netherlands and Norway have been incredible. I always have a great reception there and the crowds there always make me feel so welcome it feels like I'm coming home. It's incredible to see what God has been doing in Scandinavia as we've had an opportunity to worship together with our friends there.”
Now back in the states, Kelly has a new focus. She has opened The Sarah Kelly Music School in her new hometown of The Woodlands, TX.
“Throughout my music career, I have always taught music,” Kelly explains. “A song is such a powerful way to speak, a voice beyond what you can normally say in life. Teaching others how to tap into these gifts is truly a passion, and I couldn’t be more excited to hear the music our students here in The Woodlands will create.”
Unlike most music schools, the Sarah Kelly Music School doesn’t limit students to scales and classical training. Most students enter the school with no previous music experience, yet the staff strives to have them playing familiar songs in only a few weeks of lessons. To continue stretching the students, Kelly has an emphasis on having the students begin writing their own songs within the first few months. By combining classical training with an understanding of chords, ear training and writing, students truly receive a holistic musical education.
Another unique offering of the school truly takes advantage of the founder’s history in the music business. Weekly classes are offered to more advanced students in Artist Development. This class offers what most school can only dream of – songwriting, instrument and vocal training, and access to a studio where the student’s songs are professionally recorded.
“Music lessons aren’t just about music,” she continues. “I love hearing the stories from the parents and student on how music is helping them excel in other area of their education, including better math skills and better coordination for sports.”
For more information on the Sarah Kelly Music School and to hear sample songs from this year’s students, please see www.sarahkellymusicschool.com
Sarah’s personal music website can be found at www.sarahkelly.com
Woodlands, TX – MIDNIGHT SUN, the latest project from Christian music favorite Sarah Kelly, has released through all major digital outlets, and in select retail outlets.
MIDNIGHT SUN became collaboration among friends, for the two-time Grammy nominee. Kelly enlisted several trusted friends to co-write several of the songs, including her worship leader husband Jonas Ekman, Jeremy Hunter (Taylor Swift, Jonny Lang), and Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay). Justin Knox (Colbie Caillat), Hunter and Dane came in to share the production credits, and Steve Mason from Jars of Clay even signed on to play on four of the album’s more rock-based songs.
A combination of rock riffs, love letters and straight ahead worship songs color the project, making MIDNIGHT SUN a bit tricky to truly classify in one single genre. Kelly was able to have complete freedom recording MIDNIGHT SUN, and wanted to create a true statement that life is a combination of emotions, struggles and hopes. The album’s first single, “Day and Night,” is Kelly’s personal testimony set to music. The single is currently going for adds at Christian radio.
“I think MIDNIGHT SUN is a good representation of the real me,” Kelly says. “I’m a woman who wants to talk about life, and for me that’s rock and relationships and that love for God that I just can’t contain.”
Over the past few years, Kelly has been transformed from a broken and bruised writer who felt that her voice was no longer worthy of her calling. She admits that much of this feeling was self-induced, and she had to regain her own ability to believe in the gifts that God has given her.
After spending time in Sweden, her second home, Kelly found her voice again. There, Kelly was able to renew her spirit, her calling, and return to the states happy, healthy and healed. Newly married, Kelly now leads worship regularly at Woodlands Church in Woodlands, TX, and spends much of her time training up a new generation of musicians and songwriters.
A percentage from each song from MIDNIGHT SUN goes to support a different charity, a concept unique to most album projects. Each charity is a favorite of Kelly, and spans a variety of projects from cancer research to human trafficking. The list of charities can be found on Kelly’s website.
“The reason I wanted to do an independent album, was so I could give the publishing money to these causes,” explains Kelly. “It seems that the fruit of ‘Christian music’ should go to things that Jesus cares about, not to my big house fund, or the label's next big artist's promotion fund. If God wants to bless this album, more kids get fed, more girls get out of the brothels, more cancer research happens. Music is for honoring God and bettering life. My prayer is that this album accomplishes this both musically and practically.”
MIDNIGHT SUN is the story of Sarah Kelly’s journey from hurt to hope, grasping to not only the knowledge, but the deep belief of God’s unique plan and passion for each of us.
MIDNIGHT SUN is available through digital outlets, as well as through www.sarahkelly.com.
Track Listing:
Live Every Love Song
Standing On My Knees
Midnight Sun
Stolen My Heart
Good Day
Lift You Up
Day and Night
Always Undeniable
Surely Goodness
How Much You Love
Highly acclaimed worship leader and recording artist Sarah Kelly is currently on tour in Sweden with the New Generation student ministry, and will play in the major cities of Gothenburg and Jonkoping on November 29th and 30th respectively, in Stockholm on December 2nd and finally Orebro on December 3rd. Kelly’s sophomore effort, tentatively titled When The Past Meets Today, is currently underway and will be released on Gotee March 21st.
As a part of the major city tour of Sweden with New Generation, Kelly will be performing as the main act in front of upwards of 4,000 people. New Generation is an organization that exists to create positive school environments and works with other organizations to take a stand against drugs, bullying, and racism. Founded in 1996 as a local group at Oslo University, New Generation now has expanded to include over 15,000 teenagers in Nordic countries, with additional gatherings in Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Switzerland, and Hungary.
2005 has proved itself to be a year of high visibility for Kelly with her music being featured as part of Continental Airlines’ “In-Flight” radio station programming, as well as having music exclusives featured on Sony Connect. In addition, the national retail store Guitar Center added her image to the "World’s Largest Outdoor Photo Exhibit,” a gallery found on the outside of 140 Guitar Center stores all around the country.
Sarah Kelly unveiled her debut album Take Me Away in 2003, which merited her a GRAMMY nomination in the “Best Rock Gospel Album” category. Take Me Away grabbed the No. 12 spot on the “Top Christian Albums” Soundscan chart first week out by selling more than 4,100 units. This feat secured Kelly as the highest new artist debut in the 10-year history of Gotee Records. The single “Take Me Way” also landed a No. 6 spot on the CHR radio charts. With an average of 150-200 tour dates a year, Kelly has shared the stage with acts including the Paul Colman Trio, as well as being an opener on the Fall 2004 Jars of Clay tour.
For more information on Sarah Kelly, check out www.gotee.com or her official artist website at www.sarahkellymusic.com.
