“I’m here at this time in my life because that’s where God wants me to be. I wouldn’t change the process in any way.”

Kelley’s life journey is a testimony to God’s sovereignty and her willingness to faithfully follow His call – through seemingly insignificant moments, awesome opportunities and even the most daunting set of circumstances.

Born Kelley Taylor Clark in the picturesque Mid-Western town of Plymouth, Michigan, Kelley dreamed of being a superstar since she was two. While other kids were playing dolls, Kelley was playing headliner, emerging from behind the giant wingback chair in the living room, pretend microphone in hand, poised to “wow” the acquiescent. “Luckily, my parents had friends who were willing to refresh the audience,” Kelley says.

Way before the popularity of karaoke, little 5-year-old Kelley sang and danced along with the jukebox at Plymouth’s Elks Club where her grandparents were members. Becoming ever more in demand, club member’s eventually chipped in to buy her a microphone and speakers.

About this time, Kelley’s brother David was born. David suffered brain damage during delivery and the Clark family bonded together to raise a child with special needs. Kelley, used to welcoming recognition and acceptance, was suddenly faced with a social stigma she didn’t understand. “People weren’t as informed and accepting back then,” she recalls.

Moving to the heartland of Carmel, Indiana, bound the family closer together. With her parent’s attention spread thin, Kelley’s role as big sister became even more demanding. Often ostracized because of her brother’s disability, her music let her express herself during times of frustration and doubt.

It is said when we are down to nothing, God is up to something – giving us strength, ideas, discernment, opportunities and faith. All we need to do is open our hearts and minds to recognize His gifts. Kelley leaned heavily on her faith in Christ during this time - as one of her songs says… “just in time.” She continued to cling to His gifts of song and writing.

Kelley comes by her exuberance honestly. Her parents, as board members of the town’s community center, spearheaded an initiative to build a safe haven for kids and teens. Kelley, ready to follow their lead, asked if she could start a band to entertain the kids. Kelley was 15. “This was a big deal – a 12-piece band with back up singers and dancers,” Kelley remembers. “Dad bought us a sound system, I choreographed the whole thing and we gave three-hour performances every Friday night.”

At Carmel High School, Kelley took to the stage as the lead in practically every musical production and reached for the stars as a contestant in the nationally renowned Star Search competition. Kelley’s fame and confidence grew when she won Entertainer of the Year honors in 1983 at a citywide talent contest sponsored by the City of Indianapolis.

Upon graduation, Kelley worked her way through Indiana University - Purdue University (IU-PU) as a singer and dancer at Paramount Production’s Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through her friends in the chorus line, Julie and Jane Rees, Kelley was introduced to their brother, Jon. This Naval officer and Academy grad would soon become Kelley’s biggest fan.

She earned her associate’s degree IU-PU with a concentration in business administration. Not one to miss an opportunity, Kelley toured with the USO in 1988 and 1989 to entertain American troops in Australia, Hawaii, Okinawa, Korea, the Philippines, and Japan.

First influenced by country music, Kelley grew up on Crystal Gale, Willie Nelson and Linda Ronstadt. “I’ve been a closet writer all my life, did a couple of originals and started doing studio work when I was 18.”

About her music, “it’s something I’ve always kept between God and myself.” She worked with a vocal coach, but found the approach wasn’t for her. “For some reason, He’s given me this talent.” Kelley believes in developing one’s own personal sound and is grateful for being able to perform for a living since she was 16.

Some of Kelley’s later musical influences include an eclectic collection of artists: Etta James, Martina McBride, Sarah Evans, Garth Brooks, Reba McIntire, Babbie Mason, Cece Winans and Dolly Parton.

Kelley and Jon married in 1991 and soon began their family. With Jon’s support, Kelley received regional and national runner-up honors in 1996 and 1997, respectively, in the Jimmy Dean Country Music Showdown (now sponsored by Colgate Palmolive). Together, they moved to Jacksonville, Florida where Kelley formed the dynamic rhythm & blues national show band, DIGGIN’ RHYTHM & BRASS in 1998.

As the lead singer and band leader, Kelley has performed in international venues, opening for popular artists such as Huey Lewis and The News, Kool & The Gang, Steve Miller, Grover T. Washington, KC and The Sunshine Band, and Cece Winans. One of her most memorable performances includes singing at a campaign rally for former President George Herbert Walker Bush.

As a full-time mother of three, Kelley is active in her community, sings at her church and provides entertainment at charitable fundraising events. She also teaches dance and aerobics at her neighborhood YMCA.

With the love of Christ and her family, Kelley is pursuing a career in Christian music. “I have so much to be grateful for – my health, the love of a wonderful family, and a career orchestrated by God and fueled by passion to spread His message through music.”