Breaking the Ice w/ Kimberly Dunn

Posted by Sarah Hearne Category: News, Uncategorized

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Kimberly Dunn has been all over the country touring this year and she’ll be back in Steamboat Springs for her 4th MusicFest next month! We broke the ice and found out more about her sophomore album, her favorite MusicFest moment, and more!

Who are you and where are you from? 

My name is Kimberly Dunn, I’m a song bird that likes to whistle while I work. I grew up in the heart of the Alamo City, San Antonio, TX! I studied Agricultural Leadership & Music at Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) and now reside in the gorgeous capitol of Texas. AUSTIN!

What’s new with you and/or the band?

I finished my sophomore album this year with Grammy Award winning producer, Chad Carlson. I met Chad via my gal pal Rachel Loy and my bud William Clark Green. My latest singles ‘Traffic’ and ‘High Horse’ will be on it along side 9 other songs! Since Music Fest last year, I have added two new members to my band/tribe. The incredibly talented Pat Seals is now rocking the bass for us. Pat comes from the Rock & Roll world and is a monster player and performer! He’s so fun to watch and it’s my mission to rock out as hard as he does at every show! Over on stage left we have the newest member of my band – Kyle Samuel from Austin, TX on Guitar! Kyle comes from a RIDICULOUSLY talented musical family and we are so excited to have his positive vibes and playing on the road! Music Fest 2017 will be Pat and Kyle’s first time! Hold on tight boys, it’s gonna to be a wild ride! Pat and Kyle fill out my amazing team that includes Katy Caldwell as TM/Road Momma, Nick Walsh at FOH, Josh Rodgers as Executive Master Percussionist/Candle maker, and of course my hunny Scott Willson on Guitar & BGVs. To say I’m blessed with the best is an extreme understatement. They are my everything on the road and my musical muses. I feel like I’m a part of something bigger than myself when we play together and I sure hope that the audience can feel the love on stage!

What are three things you can’t live without? 

Oh man, this is a toughie! There are physical things that I can’t live without & intangible ones as well.  I certainly cannot live without the love of my friends, family, and fans. On a lighter note, I CANNOT live without good local honey (Good Flow Austin TX), yummy Tea and my puppies – Jackson and June. They are my lifelines back to happiness when I’m feeling blue! ☺

What is something you hate, but you wished you loved and why? 

Cheesecake. I know. I want to like it, but I can’t. I LOVE CHEESE. I LOVE CAKE. But for me, the two together is like putting apple cider vinegar in a lavender bubble bath, YUCK!

Most memorable MusicFest moment?

Playing the Radney Foster tribute, right in front of Radney himself! I have never been more nervous in my life. Scott and I sang ‘Raining on Sunday’ in a kind of a Civil War’s-style rendition. Later that day, Radney sought me out, introduced himself to me and told me how much he enjoyed my singing and the performance. I literally cried in his face! I love that MF brings the coolest & most kind-hearted people in our world together. You’d think the snow would melt with all the warm-and-fuzzies flying around up there!

How’s life? 

BUSY, PRODUCTIVE, AMAZING! Every year I get to play more, meet more people, rock more original tunes, and more, more, more is coming! I am truly blessed to live this life and I don’t want to ever stop! Some of my favorite highlights from 2016 include: MF2016 (of course!), a fun spring tour with Aaron Watson in the mountains and out to the North West, our summer tour back to the mountains of Montana, CO, and NM, and most recently Thanksgiving Day at Dallas Cowboy Stadium and a fun show in Lincoln, NE with one of my favorite writers/singers, Phil Vassar. ALSO, I just steam-cleaned my carpets the other day so yes, I am on cloud-freaking-NINE!

What artists influenced you growing up? 

I listened to a little bit of everything;

Def Leppard, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Eagles, Shania Twain, George Straight, Cash, Guns N Roses, Led Zeppelin, ECT… If you’ve seen my show, you know I love a good hair flip as much as I love a good two-step! 😉

Who are you most excited to see at MusicFest this year?

EVERYONE of course! But if I must say one, Suzy Boggus! I played a festival with her and my girl Bri this summer in Idaho and we had such a blast! Suzy is the real deal and I love to watch her yodel!

If you created a slogan for life, what would it be? 

DON’T FIT IN A BOX, STAND ON IT!

Favorite song to sing along to while on the road?

“S.O.B.” Nathanial Ratecliff and the Night Sweats ☺ (can’t stop wont stop)

What’s your spirit animal and why?

It’s a toss up between a Horse and a Lion. A horse because, I feel EXTREMLY sync’d with their energies. I feel them — Ya know what I’m saying? A lion because I like to roar! …And not a lioness, but full on Simba, King of Pride Rock Lion! My nickname has been KIMBA since I can remember. My hair turns into a mane at shows and has a mind of its own. Lions, in my heart, stand for loyalty, charisma, stability, and inspiration. I strive to maintain & develop these qualities daily. <3

What would you do if you had a working time machine? 

I would go to the future, get the 2017 sports almanac then come back from the future and bet on all the games that won. It’s basically what Marty McFly wanted to do before Biff stole his idea. I’d also donate 80% of my winnings to charities all over the world. One person shouldn’t have too much monies 😉

What is your favorite three-word sentence? 

Can haz cookie?

If they made a movie about your life, which actress would you want to play you? 

Reese Witherspoon circa Legally Blonde

What is something you do before taking the stage? 

Honestly??? I go potty, you know, nerves and all… I just get so excited to see everyone!! ☺

If you could ask another artist any question, what would it be?

Hey WCG — Do you want to have a bean and cheese taco eating competition? I will win…I just want to prove it to the world.

Name one artist of any genre besides country that you are a fan of and tell us why? 

My girl Lady Gaga! I’ve seen her live and she moved me to tears. I’ve always wanted to perform in stadiums and she makes me feel like I can do it. Do anything really! Be myself and accomplish all of my dreams. Her music, voice, and demeanor have been a light for me on this journey through life!

What makes you laugh out loud? 

Lots of things!! I LOVE TO LAUGH! Laughing’s my favorite. My drummer/bestie Josh Rodgers cracks me up on so many occasions. Sometimes he dances funny, or sometimes we just laugh at nothing at all! Life is full of LOL moments for me. I guess you could say I have a very sensitive funny bone!

Fill in the blank: It’s not a party until… 

There’s yellow snow, bahaha! I don’t know what that means, it just sounds pretty funny! People be dropping Gatorade out here!

What part of MusicFest are you most looking forward to?

MusicFest is the gathering of all that is good and right in our world. I am so honored to be apart of it for the fourth year in a row!  It is a great pleasure to share the beauty of Colorado in the wintertime with my band, family, and fans. Though I am not one for skiing or boarding (I have wonky knees), I do enjoy a good trip up to Thunderhead for celebratory Duck Fart shots at the end of our MF experience!! See ya in January, everyone!

 

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