
About Kelsey Rae
Nashville based Kelsey Rae writes and sings country music 1950s style.
From her album “Fortune Teller,” this Southwest Virginia native sings her originals like “Social Media,” her tribute to Dolly Parton with contemporary lyrics, plus country classics on Nashville's Broadway and Gospel Hour with Kelsey Rae on Sundays at The American Legion Post 82, the place to be in Music City USA to hear traditional country music.
In Nashville she’s performed at The Bluebird, at Layla's Honky Tonk, had a residency at The Nashville Palace and helped kick off Women in Country Music during 2019’s CMA Fest. She teamed up with Bristol’s Bigtone Records for release of its first 45rpm vinyl record – Kelsey Rae singing “Release Me” on A side, “We Buried Her Beneath the Willow” on B.
She performed in a Patsy Cline tribute event in Nashville the first year living there, and The Bluebird Café shortly before she moved to Music City USA featuring her 2015 Richard Leigh Songwriting Festival contest winner, “This Old Town.” and other original songs she wrote and recorded on "Fortune Teller."
Her love of the mountains, Southwest Virginia, and the influences of the Carter family and Dr. Ralph Stanley stay dear and close and are heard in her original songs that showcase a distinct voice and lyrics that speak to those inspirations and love for the sounds of the music of Patsy Cline, Connie Smith, Anita Carter and Kitty Wells.
She opened for Lillie Mae at Barter Theatre's January Jams, a concert series selected as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast for January 2018. She’s performed at the Carter Fold in Hiltons, Va., at Home Craft Days in Big Stone Gap, Va., at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol and at the 2014 , 2018 and 2019 and the 20th Anniversary Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in 2021.
Kelsey Rae
in Asheville, NC
for Western Wednesday
8 p.m. June 15, 2022
Queens of Country
8 p.m. August 14, 2022
Asheville, NC
Kelsey Rae, Tricia Tripp of Hearts Gone South and Ella Patrick of Momma Molasses are the Queens of Country.
"The Queens of Country combine the high lonesome musings of classic country song bird Kelsey Rae, the rich, warm country blues of the powerhouse Momma Molasses, and the sassy spitfire of Hearts Gone South's front woman, Tricia Tripp into one knockout show.
Showcasing their original songs, as well as paying tribute to the artists who paved the way for them, The Queens of Country show is a serious treat, backed by the all star players from Hearts Gone South- James Edgar, Scott Thomas, Karl Zerfas and Steve Earnest. There will only be a handful of live performances by this special project this season so make sure to reserve your spot if they come through your town."

![]() IMG_1981Kelsey Rae 2018 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion | ![]() Kelsey Rae | ![]() IMG_1970Kelsey Rae at Layla's |
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![]() Gathering in the GapGathering in the Gap in Big Stone Gap, Va. | ![]() Album CoverOriginal songs by Kelsey Rae | ![]() Fortune TellerCover of first Kelsey Rae album of original songs. |
![]() The Bluebird |