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Your roots are both your lineage, your ancestry, and your values, your beliefs. Your roots can inform how you show up and move through the world, the type of person you are and the one you are becoming. When you're rooted, you stick true to your character, and at the same time honor where you've come from.
There are many different reasons why an individual may hold true to their roots. It can be their upbringing, their culture, or nationality. If they are musically inclined, it could the music that they listened to when they were younger. Religion has established a strong belief system in many. These things are at the core of a person’s values, beliefs and character. When a person is defined by their roots it can have a positive effect on the way they live their life. If you have making it big in the music industry is your aim, it will play a significant role, in the outcome of your career.
Artists have deviated from the character traits that once defined them. In do so, they forget about what made them successful. Americana is a genre, that rests solely upon the type of roots or values that exist in you. It is true, that some pretend that they are “Americana” but something in their character will make them transparent. This is why artists get confused with which genre they identify with. Which is ok, but they waste precious time testing sorting out what works.
We are not biased regarding any genre of music. However, we do know what sort of person is best suited for a specific genre. Our guest today is Kelly Green. Who has established her genre of music early on. She identifies with the Americana genre because it’s part of her roots, traditions, and family values.
Kelly Green also performs with the band Madam Radar. Let’s investigate the band that she represents in this interview.
MADAM RADAR is an Americana rock band that punches hard with their explosive harmonies, soaring guitar solos, and eclectic original tunes. The band is a tangled web of family and friends; Jace Cadle (rhythm guitar/vocals) is married to Kelly Green (lead guitar/vocals) who is the sister of Kody Lee (drums/vocals) who is engaged to Violet Lea (bass/vocals).
Fronted by the trio of Kelly, Violet, and Jace, MADAM RADAR is a revolving door of high-energy singer-songwriters, each with their own perspective and style that magically seem to overlap like the layers of a kaleidoscope. With all four members of the band providing harmonies, MADAM RADAR is a wall of colorful sound that changes shape, demanding your undivided attention.
MADAM RADAR has shared stages with Renowned acts such as Bon Jovi, Arc Angels, Lukas Nelson, Hayes Carll, Billy Joe Shaver, Jack Ingram, Shinyribs, Jackie Venson, and Comedian Ron White. They are a two-time Sonic Guild (formerly Black Fret) Grant recipient and were the first Austin-based band to perform at the Moody Center in Austin, TX.
MADAM RADAR released their first full length album under the name “The Texas KGB” in 2016 titled Songs in the Key of Pain. In 2017, they released their second full length album titled Welcome Home. Both were recorded at 512 Studios with Omar Vallejo.
MADAM RADAR announced their name change after being awarded their second grant from Black Fret in December 2019 at The Black Ball at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. They then released their third full length album Madam Radar in February of 2020. It was recorded at The Finishing School in Austin, Texas and produced by Gordy Quist of The Band of Heathens and engineered by Grammy award winning Steve Christensen.
During the global pandemic shortly following the release of Madam Radar, the band had to find a unique way to navigate the difficult situation and created a livestream that blossomed into a weekly internet variety show. The MADAM RADAR Saturday Extravaganza spanned 63 episodes from March of 2020 to June 2021. It featured the band performing a variety of covers and new originals written during the pandemic, as well as games and auctions for the fans to interact with the band. They even created Halloween and Christmas specials and a jingle for their favorite shot- Iron Hot, made out at Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery in Spicewood, Texas.
In October of 2021, MADAM RADAR went back into The Finishing School with Gordy Quist and Steve Christensen to record their newest studio album SPEAKS. It was released to a sold-out show July 30th of 2022 at the 04 Center in Austin, TX. Kevin Conner of Austin’s Sun Radio called MADAM RADAR’s single Hands, “The best song to come out of Austin in 2022.”
Kelly Green-(lead/slide guitar/vocals) Kody Lee - (drums/saxophone/vocals) Jace Cadle- (rhythm guitar/vocals) Violet Lea - (bass/vocals)
GT: Hello Kelly. Thank you for joining us today. We are very intrigued by the topic we selected for you. What impact does tradition have in your life?
Kelly: Thanks for having me. My brother Kody and I were raised in the North Georgia Mountains. When we were growing up my family would get together every Sunday. We would cook tons of food, break out the guitars and jam until the sun went down. It was our tradition and it absolutely shaped what I value in life; family, music, community, food, and creating.
GT: Did your roots determine your favorite genre of music? If so, in what way?
Kelly: I like to believe so. Being from Georgia, bands like The Allman Brother, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, and Marshall Tucker were always being played on the radio. I fell in love with guitar solos and harmonies. That and my father, BeBee Lee, is a lifelong road musician. He is a phenomenal guitarist and he was always introducing me to bands that inspired him. Everything from U.F.O. to Clapton to Thin Lizzy to Marty Stewart. I don’t know if I have a favorite genre but I do love Rock N Roll.
GT: Do you think it is easy to spot someone that really doesn’t have a background in Americana Rock music
Kelly: I’m not sure. As long as they play with passion does it really matter?
GT: What type of character traits do you want others to know you possess?
Kelly: My dad gave me advice when I was a kid that I’ll always hold on to. And that was to be myself no matter who I was around. I took that to heart. I am me. I am goofy, hard working, sympathetic, passionate, and forever an optimist. I am fiercely loyal to my friends and family, and I love animals and music to my core.
GT: We talk about character and reputations a lot. Because it defines who we are, and how we will treat others. Is it important to you to convey to your fans the type of person you are?
Kelly: One thing our fans will tell you is that we are all genuine people. And I wear that as a badge of honor. I believe you should treat people with respect, patience, and love. We call our fans the “Fan’mily” and if you ask any of them, they will tell you it is because we are a family.
GT: That is good to hear. Especially since your fans have high expectations for the artists that they listen to.
GT: When I think about my musical heritage, I think about the great artists that I listened to when I was younger. Those are the ones that have stuck with me through decades. They are unforgettable and will always remind me of where I come from. Do you have that artist that has inspired you?
Kelly: Yes. Two bands actually. Grand Funk Railroad and KISS are two of my all time favorite bands. I can put their records on any day and It will bring me back to being a kid. I love everything about them. Both bands inspire my love for performing.
GT: Are you satisfied with what you have accomplished thus far in the music industry? Please explain.
Kelly: I have successfully lived on music alone for over a decade. I have traveled all over the Country and part of the World sharing songs I’ve written. I get to play music with my family and they are my best friends. I am definitely striving for so much more. But yes, I am happy, and so grateful for how far I've come on this journey. One of my biggest dreams is to play at Red Rocks.
GT: What is your time frame for achieving your goals? Is there a set limit?
Kelly: What is time!? I’ll be playing music for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
GT: What are your plans for 2023, what are you working on that you would like to share with your fans?
Kelly: I am so excited that Madam Radar has been back in the studio recording a few new singles that will be released later this year. We are also traveling all over this summer and I’m thrilled to be adding so many new cities to the tour.
GT: That is awesome to hear. We are so glad that you had a window of time, that you could answer some questions. We would like to follow up with you later this year and find out what sort of projects you are working on. How does that sound?
Kelly: I am looking forward to it! Thank you all so much, it was honestly a pleasure. Cheers!
GT: Excellent. Thanks again.
