Local singer performs in Nashville showcase

Kelly Hervey.

Local singer Kelly Hervey performed in May at the National Association of Christian Artists and Songwriters (NACAS) Showcase in Nashville, Tennessee.

She was selected from nearly 2,000 entrants to be one of the 10 artists to perform.

Hervey graduated in 1999 from Sisters High School where she participated in a variety of vocal groups.

The 20-year-old flew to Nashville and spent a week there sightseeing, meeting other artists, attending seminars and performing before major Christian record company representatives. Her cover song "You Move Me" (origin: Susan Ashton) was distributed to company representatives. The CD was recorded at Soundsmith Studios in Bend.

"NACAS is one of the best national vehicles for networking and being heard by real influences in Christian music," said President John Mays of the Benson Music Group.

Hervey said, "I like upbeat, fun music. It was awesome to visit Nashville for the first time and meet some of the big names in the Christian recording industry."

Previously, Kelly had traveled for one year with "Up with People," visiting 11 countries.

"We were a traveling musical group of 150 trying to bring people together and performing community service," she said.

"I sang my first solo in a school program at age 12. From that point on I somehow knew that music would become a major part of my life," she said.

"My dream has been to make music my career," she said.

Meanwhile, she hopes to be singing in local churches, singing in clubs, participating in community events and speaking to youth.