VOA常速英语:Josh Kelley Comes Full Circle with 'Georgia Clay'

Singer Josh Kelley had to settle for a career in the pop field before returning to his first love - Country music.  He has come full circle with his debut Country album, Georgia Clay. The album's title track is climbing high on the Country chart.

While attending the University of Mississippi, the Georgia native first attempted to get a recording contract with a Nashville label.  When that didn’t work out, Josh moved to Los Angeles, where he was offered a pop deal with Hollywood Records.  His first two albums produced the Top 10 hits “Amazing” and “Only You.”  In 2005, Josh met his wife, actress Katherine Heigl, who appeared in the video for “Only You.”  

Josh wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks on Georgia Clay. His wife was the inspiration for several songs, including ”Baby Blue Eyes” and “Learning You.”  The ballad “Naleigh Moon,” is a tribute to their two-year-old daughter, who they adopted from South Korea when she was nine months old.

Josh moved to Nashville in 2005 after leaving his record company.  Soon after, he convinced his younger brother, Charles Kelley, to join him in Music City.  Charles is a member of the multi-million-selling Country trio Lady Antebellum.  

Josh finally signed with a Country label in 2009 and spent last year in the studio working on Georgia Clay.

“This record is a time capsule," he says. "It’s by far the best thing I’ve written and I’ve never been more proud.  I’m finally in a genre where I can write lyrics, tell stories and be a man.”

Although Josh and his family now live in Utah, he says they’re planning a permanent move back to Nashville.

To promote his new album, Josh recently toured with Miranda Lambert, and he’ll open some North American dates on Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now World Tour.”