MUSICIAN, songwriter, author, and musical producer - Austin born performer Kimmie Rhodes' may be one of the busiest women in music, but she will still be finding the time to perform live in North Wales this month.
Ahead of her show in Menai Bridge on January 29, the Pioneer caught up with the singer-songwriter while she prepared for her appearance at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival to talk about her relaxed recording techniques and why country-folk music is so internationally appealing.
"I like to meet the people who come to my shows so they aren't just faces in the dark," explained Kimmie in her gentle Texan accent. "We take an intermission and I go out to the lobby and mingle then when I come back on stage I have a whole load of songs people want me to play.
"I have got some excellent fans who have been following me for years. I like to do mostly my own material, and a few things here and there."
Promising a relaxed and enjoyable concert when she returns to Menai Bridge, audiences can expect a broad range of material from her extensive repertoire of songs.
"I try to do a little bit from every one of my albums over the years," she said. "I have got my favourites but I always end up mixing it up. I make a set list but i'm famous for deviating from it. People tend to shout out songs they want to hear and I just play them."
Performing country-folk songs in her smooth dulcet tones, Kimmie continues to write and perform to critical acclaim which has led to numerous globe-spanning tours.
A big reader while on the road ("It has a grounding effect for me. I always make sure I have three or four good books before going on tour - my baggage is always overweight!"), it is the extensive travelling schedule which keeps her motivated and busy writing new material.
"I think of it as a circle," mused Kimmie. "When I'm out on the road performing I'm in sponge mode soaking in ideas. I come home with lots of scraps of paper. Then I go through a period of time at home processing it all.
"I'm very fortunate I have a studio in my home. I get to the point where I have these songs. Until we get them recorded I don't really know what I have. I assembly some musicians and we just hang out, we record some songs, have some dinner and they stay over for about a week. They call it Camp Kimmie. It becomes a fun experience."
It is this enthusiasm and love of writing and recording which has not only ensured her longevity in her homeland of the USA, but also with international audiences.
But why is her inherently American style of music so attractive to outsiders?
"When I'm in Italy where they don't know the lyrics, its the musicality and the sound of my voice. In places where people speak English I think they connect with the lyrics. When I write, I write for people, and people are basically the same. People have the same hearts and just want to be happy and have fun. It's all what it means to be human."
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Kimmie Rhodes will be performing live at The Victoria Hotel in Menai Bridge on January 29 at 8pm For more information or to book tickets call 01248 353020. Visit Kimmie Rhodes' website at www.kimmierhodes.com