Kelly Willis
Musician
Kelly Willis is a country music singer/songwriter. U.S. National Public Radio has characterized her as "alternative country's golden goddess." Willis is the youngest of three children. After her parents divorce, Willis and her siblings lived with her father, a colonel in the U.S. Army. She attended high school in Allandale, Virginia. Willis married her high school boyfriend, Mas Palermo, in 1989, the same year she was signed by MCA records. Palermo was also the drummer in her first band. The couple divorced in 1991.
Willis met and began dating Austin singer/songwriter Bruce Robison in 1992. The couple eventually married in 1996 and now have four children, including a pair of twins.
Birth Name: Kelly Willis
Birth Date: October 2, 1968
Birth Place: Lawton, Oklahoma
Official Website: www.kellywillis.com
Latest News:
While on tour in support of her studio album "Translated from Love," Willis announced a halt in her touring schedule. She explained, "I am taking a hiatus from live performances for who knows how long. Being a traveling musician with four kids may not make an extremely compelling reality TV show but it is kicking my butt. I plan to continue making records. And I may do the occasional holiday show/song swap/benefit here and there. Thanks for all the love you have shown me and I hope I have reflected it back. Happy trails…until we meet again."
Awards: Willis' 1999 album "What I Deserve" reached #30 on the U.S. Country Album Chart. Her 2002 album "Easy" reached #29 on the U.S. Country Album Chart.
Known in Austin for:
Willis performs occasionally in the Austin area. Willis and Bruce Robison, her husband, perform an annual Christmas concert in Austin. (Buy the 2006 expanded reissue of their Christmas album, "Happy Holidays," here.)
Albums:
Translated From Love
Label: Rykodisc
Released: 2007
Happy Holidays
Label: Rykodisc
Released: 2003
Easy
Label: Rykodisc
Released: 2002
One More Time: The MCA Recordings
Label: MCA
Released: 2000
What I Deserve
Label: Rykodisc
Released: 1999
Fading Fast (EP)
Label: A&M Records
Released: 1996
Kelly Willis
Label: MCA
Released: 1993
Bang Bang
Label: MCA
Released: 1991
Well Traveled Love
Label: MCA
Released: 1990
Fun facts:
Willis' first high school band was called Kelly Willis & the Fireballs
Willis sings the song "Little Honey" in the 1991 Ridley Scott film "Thelma & Louise."
Willis appeared in the 1992 Tim Robbins film "Bob Roberts."
Kelly Willis is a member of the choir at Hyde Park United Methodist church, in Austin, Texas.
Other External Links:
Find Willis' home page here.
Visit Willis' MySpace page here.
Check out her CMT Artist page here.
