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Kelly Halloran
"Lady of Love" Kelly Halloran is the singer/songwriter for Sequin in the Sky, which is pretty much always in a state of flux. Sequin in the Sky has been as big as five band members and as little as one, Kelly remaining the only constant, and therefore she is the quintessential Sequin in the Sky. The music that flows around her at any given time can be referred to as the Sky. Sequin in the Sky tries to be a beautiful place for everyone, but mostly it is there for the lost, the forgotten, the restless and the unsettled. Kelly believes in the power of music as a universal language. Sequin In The Sky perform original music as well as some classic cover songs that everyone can enjoy. Whether they play full on country, bluesy rock, or sassy jazz, they tend to do it with a touch of class and a dash of sparkle.  Kelly started writing songs in 2006 after she returned from a trip to Kauai where she met and fell in love with a songwriter there. She later returned to Kauai to attend a songwriting workshop headed by Kathy Mattea and professors from the Berkeley school of music. When Kelly returned to the mainland, she decided to take her songwriting seriously and went to Guitar Center to find a guitar. Instead, she found guitarist, Brian McAlpin of Psychotic Waltz fame and began working with him. Brian produced her first 9 songs and co-wrote one with her. Additionally she made a music video for the song, "Love Me When You're Sober", a song produced by McAlpin that can also be seen on the VIDEO page. They once performed together at a United Songwriter's Association songwriting contest, a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors. In 2008, Kelly started working with guitarist, Ruben DeAnda, meeting him while he played at a farmer's market after her return from a vacation in Paris. During their three years of working together, Kelly and Ruben performed and recorded both creative covers and original songs. Ruben created the music for many of Kelly's original lyrics and melodies, and as well, they co-wrote several very beautiful songs together. Their recordings are known for their unique harmonies and guitar fills. Kelly and Ruben made one music video called "My Lucid Dream," which you'll find on the VIDEO page and they have another one in progress for their song, "Without You." Kelly has also collaborated with jazzman, Gary Benzyl, writing lyrics for 5 of his original songs and has also worked with guitarist, Wayne Watson and producer, Dominic Pesce on arrangements for some of her original music. Kelly and Ruben have also collaborated with poet, Becky Elias of El Paso, Texas. Kelly has performed with guitarist Colleen Saunders, bassists Wayne Dewey and Marilyn Quinsaat, violinist Deanna Farrell, and drummer, Mike Diaz. Kelly has two more music videos coming out soon, for her original song, "Who Could Ask for Anything More?" and "Without You", co-written by Ruben DeAnda. Her influences have been Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Crosby Stills Nash, and Young, Steeley Dan, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Waylon Jennings, Debbie Harry, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge, Cher, Aimee Mann, PJ Harvey, Taylor Swift, Maria Muldaur, Joan Baez, David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Gwen Stefani, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Etta James, Marilyn Monroe, and Brigitte Bardot. Kelly had six years of piano lessons starting at age 8, and actually had her first few music lessons by mistake on an accordion. Her mother and father hailed from the South, and had marvelous country accents and beautiful voices.
Kelly has been singing since junior high school, where she won a singing scholarship, was in her church choir and her high school madrigal group. She had a 30 year hiatus from music, but now is committed to her songwriting and performance career as well as her career as a dermatology nurse practitioner. Over the years, music has been Kelly's catharsis, her therapy, her solace, and her joy. She is a member of the United Songwriter's Association and has had the recent privilege of her songs being aired on the internet radio show, "D.C. Coast to Coast" on The USA FM where she was featured as the INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE WEEK. Please check it out at www.dccoasttocoast.com.  Kelly makes her home in the San Diego area with interest in Sequin in the Sky evolving into a band that includes guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, cellists, fiddles/violins, mandolin, horns, pedal steel, and drummers. She dreams big and her music can be simple or complicated, and could use a symphony at times. For more info contact Kelly at hallorankelly@yahoo.com  |
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