Kelly Tillotson, a Belmont songwriting alumni and Washington, D.C. native, was recently featured in the Washinton D.C. publication, “The Washingtonian,” in an article entitled “Take Me Home, River Road.” The article is a dialog piece between Tillotson and another musician, Maggie Rose, about their journey from their hometown of Potomac to their careers as country singers.
After gradutating from Belmont in 2012, Tilltotson went on to form the trio MamaDear with her husband, Parker Bradway, and her friend Daniel Wilson. Last year, ”Rolling Stone” named the group Best Up-and-Comer at the Country Music Assotiation’s CMA Fest.
In the interview, Tillotson discusses her realization that Belmont was the place she had to be. “In high school, I was always banging at the piano, singing my songs, but I didn’t know you could be a singer. When I visited Belmont, it was for neuroscience. But after I heard about their music program, Belmont was the only school I… even applied to” (correction from Tillotson).
Tillotson talks about the importance of a hometown support system and how one’s home is a big part of his or her success. She is quoted in the article saying, “You need that support. After I graduated from Belmont, I put out my EP, I finally had a solo album, and at the same time, MamaDear was happening. I had a little identity crisis.” But thanks to her roots in Potomac, she understands why music is so important.
To learn more about Tillotson and her band, MamaDear, click here.