Thanks for a wonderful concert, Karla! You really connected with everyone there. Best of luck in your audition for The Voice! You could be the next Javier!
“Best New Act in Country Music” (January 14, 2010)Country Showdown 1st place National Final Winner
It’s one thing to be recognized in one way or another as an up-and-coming talent, but Karla Davis has run a gauntlet of talent competitions. From a national pool of as many as 50,000 entrants, Karla advanced as the winner in local, then state, and then regional competitions, culminating in the Texaco Country Showdown National Finals (hosted by Lee Ann Rimes) in Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on January 14th, 2010. There, facing other talented musicians who had advanced through the same local, state, and regional gauntlet, Karla Davis was chosen as the winner of the $100,000 first prize, and was named “Best New Act in Country Music”. (The Showdown has opened many doors for artists throughout its long-running history, including notables Garth Brooks, Sara Evans, and Miranda Lambert.)
Originally from Monroe, North Carolina, Karla now calls Nashville home, although “home” is a place she sees only occasionally these days, with her busy touring schedule. Her HubCityMusic.com concert marks a swing through Texas, as she finishes June/July’s West Coast Ride Tour that Karla is headlining along with Whisky Row.
Karla has now released her debut CD, appropriately titled “Here I Am”.
And Karla is not just a “Country” artist. You’ll find elements of Rock, Soul, and Folk in her music as well. She counts among her influences such notables as Eva Cassidy, Otis Redding, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Joss Stone, Bobbi Gentry, Etta James, John Legend, Bonnie Raitt, James Morrison, Jason Mraz, Carrie Underwood, Carole King, Sugarland, and James Taylor. As such diversity might suggest, Karla resists being categorized as just a Country act. She says, “I like being very unique and I don’t want to lose my individuality… I don’t want to sound like anyone but myself.” A review published in Knoxville’s Metro Post says she “shuffles through the dark territory where old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, country, and folk come together.”
Although recognition is coming fast and furious for her, Karla remains down to earth and accessible. Being true to her values is important to her. For example, instead of signing with a big label after her Country Showdown success, she took her prize money and, along with British producer John Eden and manager Gabrielle DiMora, formed their own label, 3 Chord Entertainment. Although this indie approach may be a longer, harder path, it gives Karla autonomy and control that she could never have had she chosen the conventional route.
That approach is consistent with Karla’s values. One of her favorite quotes comes from Ghandi; “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Karla sums her philosophy up this way; “Music can change lives… I know it! I think everyone is here for a reason, and I’m more sure than ever that I am supposed to use music to help people. It can happen, and I will spend every day of my life, God-willing, to make a difference.”
Visit Karla’s website:
www.KarlaDavisMusic.com
Here’s a video story about Karla and her music (Thanks William Kerns for providing this!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsD1C-0ExVU&feature=player_embedded