VIVIAN VANCE KELLY - Hit Me Up
CD 120.812
Vivian Vance Kelly – Hit Me Up
VIVIAN VANCE KELLY
I was born November 10, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois,USA, to Vance and Lottie Kelly. I am the second child born from the two. I have been going to church from as far as I could remember.
My father side of the family is very musically inclined. My sisters and brothers and I got together with some of our cousins and formed a gospel choir. After singing together for about 3 years, many of my cousins moved from Chicago to Kansas City, Missouri. Then around the year 1995, my uncle’s two daughters, my sister and I had formed a gospel group which didn’t last too long. Around that time is when I co-wrote my father’s second cd entitled ‘Joyriding in the Subway.’
In between the gospel singing, I was also doing a little hip hop, r&b with some Jamaican friends on the north side of Chicago. We have did two performances on CAN TV in Chicago. One night as we were just messing around at the studio of Anthony White, I was writing some songs while Anthony was producing some music. We actually recorded what we were doing. The next day Anthony wanted me to hear what we did. I was really outdone with the outcome.
That exact evening I called my father up ( Mr. Vance Kelly ), and asked him to listen to it. Knowing that he really knows music and all made me nervous. He listened to it. Then he asked me to call him at four pm, which I did. He finally told me that he thinks that I am ready and that he wanted me to come with him. I didn’t exactly understand that until I gave up everything that I was doing to come ride under his wing in 1998.
My father actually took me under his wing, into the blues scenery. He taught me everything I needed to know about stage presence, He guided me out of my shyness and showed me in so may ways and words that if I give something good to the people, I can receive something good out of the people with their emotional responses. My first couple of years working with my father was not easy. He was very strict and straight forward with me only for my best interest. My father has been a great inspiration to me, little does he know it.
In the year 2000, my father brought me along with him on a European tour. During this tour is when I met my husband. My father also brought me over in 2003 to Switzerland to sing alongside him in the ‘Lucerne Blues Festival.’ I am now living in Switzerland where I reside with my husband.
I have recorded this cd with Koni Beerle (drums), Daniel Perez (guitar), Kaspar Leuzinger (guitar), Gary White (acoustic), Christian Sandera (harp) and David Fryman (bass).
I would like to dedicate this cd to my Mother and Father, and also to my late Grandfather. May He Rest In Peace.