Crystal McKee is an Inland Empire based Singer/Songwriter Musician with a soft folk pop acoustic style similar to Sarah Mclachlan, Jewel, Lisa Loeb, and other artists alike. She specializes in the "female songwriter niche" and her live entertainment performances include original songs and covers of popular tunes such as "Angle" Sarah Mclachlan, "I Do" Lisa Loeb, "Foolish Games" Jewel, and many more as well as poppy tunes like "Happy Together" by The Turtles and "Different Drum" by Linda Ronst...
Crystal McKee is an Inland Empire based Singer/Songwriter Musician with a soft folk pop acoustic style similar to Sarah Mclachlan, Jewel, Lisa Loeb, and other artists alike. She specializes in the "female songwriter niche" and her live entertainment performances include original songs and covers of popular tunes such as "Angle" Sarah Mclachlan, "I Do" Lisa Loeb, "Foolish Games" Jewel, and many more as well as poppy tunes like "Happy Together" by The Turtles and "Different Drum" by Linda Ronstandt.
Background
She credits her natural ability to develop melody from being surrounded by music since birth. She attended her mother's orchestra concerts and rehearsals from an infant. "I Grew up with a family of musicians who gigged and played classical, swing, and jazz. I was the child in the back who was usually dancing or trying to do something creative". Fascinated with music she began singing and writing songs at a young age. A young Crystal began playing guitar when her father gave her a beige Fender Strat guitar and she immediately took it to a friend who showed her just 3 chords. Then she started writing songs that same week.
Crystal got her start at open mics. She says it all started there and has built a network of friends in music just from playing every week. She says the practice she got from being committed to playing open mics on a regular bases in the beginning of her career has helped her grow as a musician and performer.
Since beginning her music career she's gigged frequently at places such as Borders book stores, shopping malls, festivals, market nights, college venues and many coffee houses throughout southern California. Her music has been featured in several podcasts, college radio, and independent local cable TV programs.
Releasing her debut album
As Crystal grew in maturity so did her talent. After many performances and many unofficial demo recordings of her music, she released her self produced independent debut album “Take Me Away”, and immediately after won an award for “Best Pop Rock Artist” as well as a nomination in the “Best Song” category for her song “Run” at the 2008 IE Music Awards. In 2009 she was nominated for “Best Female Performer” at the IE Music Awards.
Upcoming projects
She’s the founder of the “SoCal Female Acoustic Showcase” a showcase that features some of the best female talent in Southern California. The showcase will be coming into it's 3rd season this coming summer of 2010. Crystal is currently working hard on her next full production album scheduled for release late next summer 2010. She can be seen performing frequently in the Inland Empire area.
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