Kimmie Rhodes is ready for her Lisburn debut

Kimmie Rhodes is a native Texan who calls Austin home. Kimmie’s multi-platinum selling songs have been recorded by such stellar acts as Willie Nelson, Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, Joe Ely, John Farnham, Waylon Jennings, Peter Frampton, Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris.

A creative and prolific artist, she has recorded and released a total of fourteen solo CDs, written and produced three musical plays and a catalogue of hundreds of songs, and published a book.

Kimmie grew up in Lubbock, Texas and began her singing career at the age of six with her family gospel trio. She moved to Austin in 1979, where she met DJ and producer Joe Gracey, an instrumental figure in the Austin progressive country scene, who she eventually married. In 1981 she recorded her first album, Kimmie Rhodes and the Jackalope Brothers when Willie Nelson invited her to use his studio. Since then she has recorded a plethora of albums and has toured extensively.

Her promotional tours created a solid fan base in the UK, Ireland and Europe. She has headlined with her band at festivals all over the world and has appeared on many European and American TV and radio broadcasts.

Kimmie has had a long and fruitful career, which started when she was just 6 years old and sang in a family band. Many years later she is still in love with the music.

“I love it even more now than I did as a child,” she said. “I don’t take it for granted now.”

Despite being a regular visitor to Northern Ireland, this will be her first visit to Lisburn.

“We haven’t played that venue before and we are really looking forward to playing somewhere new,” said Kimmie.

“We’ve played in Belfast a lot, as well as other parts like Rathfriland.

“Myself and a lot of songwriters I know enjoy playing for the audiences in Northern Ireland.

“I am really a fan of the people there. I am a fan of my fans!” she added.