Catch Of The Week: Caillie Hughes
Meet Caillie Hughes from Watertown
Look out world, here comes Caillie. This is a young women on a mission. She wants to be a voice for those in need, through her music. And her music is meaningful, mature and melodic. Caillie Hughes is a college student, but she could certainly teach us all about getting involved.
This Watertown girl, now living in Ipswich, grew up in a musical home. Her influences range from Elton John to Taylor Swift. Caillie has a strong voice, literally and figuratively. She can break into a beautiful falsetto at just the right moment, or project with some force, when the lyrics call for attention. I hope many will pay attention to this soulful, young and talented singer/songwriter who wants to make a difference.
Hughes Clues
- From: Massachusetts Born and Raised
- Grew up in: Watertown, MA
- Now lives in: Ipswich, MA
- What lead you to music: I grew up with music, My father is a pianist and my mother was a New England Patriots cheerleader “dancer” and a dance therapist as well. I picked up the guitar at the age of 12 and wrote my first song at 13, after I was bullied a lot in school. I came home one day and I remember feeling like I didn’t belong in this world, and I picked up my guitar and started venting to it, which translated to a song called “Be Yourself.” and I’ve been writing and making music ever since. I always found music to be extremely therapeutic for myself and others, So I decided to share my diary (music) with the world around me in hopes that it can help others.
- How old when you started: I picked up various instruments at different ages, but the songwriting and performing aspect started around the age of 13.
- Instruments played: Mainly, Vocals, and Guitar, I dabble at piano, drums and Saxophone.
- How would you describe your sound: I would describe my sound as authentic to the scene of music today and, it’s a bit acoustic, it’s soul, its pop, it’s jazzy, it’s country, One thing I get told a lot that stands out is my range and use of dynamics within the range and the emotion driven power I express in my originals and renditions of other artist songs. (It’s emotion driven, and rangeful, and I explore aspects from different genres within my sound and like to change it up, I can go from pop to jazz to country to gospel to opera using classical technique which I am currently studying at Salem State University with Dr. Holly Zagaria.)
- Who inspires you: Besides my Father, Elton John, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Aretha Franklin, Kelly Clarkson and My vocal coach Dr. Holly Zagaria.
- Awards/accolades:- 2019 Mascott Awards on Acoustic Avenue for (Best New Solo Act – Caillie Hughes)
- Dream duet partner: I think it would be totally cool to do a collaboration with Dan + Shay, and Taylor swift, I love their songwriting process and how invested they are with music. Also, Demi Lovato and Elton John, I love their soul driven passion and what they stand for which is a huge element for me. I think also in the country realm of music, something with Reba McEntire (Because I’ve looked up to her since I was a kid) and Brad Paisley would be a pretty cool experience (He is not only an awesome vocalist, but his guitar playing is it’s own kind of art.
- All- time favorite country song: It really depends on my mood. One of my all time favorite country tunes is “Walking in memphis”, because I grew up jamming to it with my dad. “Temporary Home” is such a beautifully written song. I grew up with country music, listening to Martina McBride, and Reba, Tim McGraw, and George Strait. They all have some songs that I resonate with and love to hear on the radio.
- First country concert: My first concert was Taylor Swift back in 2010. It was such a fundamental and surreal experience, She was headlining her first tour “FEARLESS” at the time, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. I remember walking into the stadium and Kellie Pickler was singing, and I remember being blown away, and then just taking in the experience of the concert, It definitely has played a significant role in the reason I perform today.
- What songs do you like now on Country 102.5: I love driving and jamming out to anything by Kelsea Bellerini, Dan + Shay, or Zac Brown Band.
- If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: I would definitely be trying to find other ways to help people and animals, (maybe as a Public Speaker for awareness on things going on in this world), or I would be a police officer, or an Athlete. I played a lot of sports growing up and had a lot of passion for them.
- Day Job: My current day job is Music, and I balance a full time course load at Salem State University.
- Most proud moment: I wrote a song for first responders at the time of the Boston Marathon Bombing and Watertown Shootout, (where I lived at the time of the chain of events). I was asked to perform at my school in front of the whole school, and first responders attending for a flag raising ceremony taking place, I remember getting a Standing ovation and I felt internally proud, also, i’ve been asked to perform at Watertonwn’s 5K Race to honor “Watertown Strong” and first responders every year since 2014.
- Crazy thing that happened in your music career: I got to perform at the Chief of Salem Police’s birthday party, also, being on Country 102.5 is surreal because I always dreamt of being on this station.
- Other things you like to do: I have passion for lot’s of sports, as well as helping people and animals in my spare time, I’m a Psychology nerd, I appreciate art of all kinds, and I love learning new things.
- Fun facts: I can improv a whole song off the top of my head, using like 3 (key) words. -I love working with organizations, and programs that work towards creating a better life, like (Care Dimensions, Grateful Friends). I’m always looking for ways to join music with causes that matter, like Addiction, Bullying, Domestic Violence, mental health, anxiety, adoption, and many other human inhibitions.-My nickname, Songbird because my name is spelled a little unusual to the expected spelling of “Kay-lee”, So when I order a coffee at like a Starbucks I say my name is Songbird because It’s easier to spell, except for when they write “Sombre”, that’s always a fun experience walking around with that written on my cup.
- Mantra: My mantra is “Where Words Fail… Music Speaks” and something that was passed down in my family to me I resonate with deeply: “In everyone’s life… A little rain must fall”
Caillie In Concert
- 3/29- Stanzy’s Country Ranch, Peabody, MA
- 4/11- Gulu-Gulu, Salem, MA
- 4/26- Watertown Strong 5K
- 4/26- Article 24, Brighton, MA
Searching for Hughes
Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.
*Singer/songwriters with original music: Please submit for consideration to be The Local Catch by emailing: [email protected]
Born and raised at Country 1025. Carolyn is a concert-lovin’ country music fan. Plus, an avid New England sports fan. Count Kruser in for standup comedy, movies, and cosmos, but family is #1 for her. Wife, mother of 2- plus Zoey the dog, unpaid cook, cleaner and organizer of chaos. Kruser likes to write about country music, New England lifestyle and trending topics.
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