When at high school Kelly used a pay recording booths and sang Elvis's "Teddy Bear", she used this tape to get into her boyfriend's rockabilly band. The band, named Kelly and the Fireballs had influences ranging from Patsy Cline, Wanda Jackson, the Blasters, the Tail Gators and the Leroi Brothers. In the late 1980's, with the bands popularity rising in the D.C. area, they decided to move to Austin, Texas.

     Kelly did not take long to get noticed in once in Austin. One night, while playing the Continental Club, Nanci Griffith wandered in near the end of the set. After hearing Kelly sing, Griffith headed for the phone and dialed MCA producer Tony Brown. A few months later, a record deal was done and work on her debut album "Well Traveled Love" began. In all Kelly released three albums for MCA between 1990 and 1993.

     Kelly's next release was a 4 song EP in 1996 on A&M records.

     Using the five year gap from recording a full album, Kelly took the time to write songs and take control of her career. By 1998 she had an album completed and signed a deal with Rykodisc, the CD being released February 1999 to rave reviews.

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