While it might have been cold outside on Monday night, songwriter Kim Richey managed to keep the Jaeb Theater toasty with a mix of great music and a warm, outgoing personality. At approximately 7:30pm, Kim took the stage, armed only with an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar accompanist, but the lack of band or fancy stage show didnt seem to matter. Even on a nearly empty stage, lit only by stark white lights, Richeys clear, soulful voice mixed with her honest, approachable personality to make the evening more like an intimate concert in her living room, rather than in a sold-out theater. To me, her performance seemed just as intimate as our one-on-one conversation on a couch outside her dressing room.
Richeys set list drew from her expansive repertoire, as well as several song requests submitted by fans prior to the show. As a well-respected Nashville songwriter, who has recently relocated to London, Kim enjoys a loyal fan base, which keeps her in high demand around the world. When asked about the secret to developing that relationship with her fans, Richey replied I dont know. Im happy to have them but Ive never had a fan club or anything like that. I really didnt feel comfortable with that whole thing. It seemed kind of weird to me. But it is a great way to have a career instead of just a single radio hit or something.
Kim Richeys tour continues with a show in Nashville and then on to Scotland and the U.K. She recently finished recording a new CD in Nashville, which is scheduled to be release in the coming months. For more information on Kim, go to www.kimrichey.com.
Photos ©2010 Jeff OKelley, all rights reserved