Unlike many British Country artists, Kayleigh Dawn Larter (now Shaw) wasn’t influenced by her parent’s choice of music. Instead she discovered Country music by chance after watching the Judds life story film, Love Can Build A Bridge, when she was 13.
Having got hooked on Country music she listened to other artists and started singing some of the songs and quickly realised how much she enjoyed the way you could tell a life story through song.She performed on a few showcases, the first being at Stradsett Country Music Festival in 2006 and it wasn’t long before Kay D was launched onto the Country circuit as a solo artist in 2007.The Judds film also inspired her to start writing songs. Club and festival organisers were quick to discover this new talent with a passion for Country music and her diary for 2008 began filling. It was also suggested that she would be even more successful, especially at festivals if she fronted her own band. Within weeks, Kay D & The Redneck Rodeo were launched comprising five top class musicians; Kay D on vocals and rhythm guitar with Harley Dave (lead guitar), David Ord (bass), Chris Senner (pedal steel guitar) and Frankie (drums).She recorded her first cd, One For The Rodeo, in 2007. It was originally intended as a promotional demo but she eventually opted for a full length album and included one of her own songs, Love Left Me A Long Time Ago. The band was unfortunately short-lived but Kay was quickly able recruit four more top class musicians and the new line-up was Kay D (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Andy Green (lead guitar), Jamie Lennon (pedal steel guitar), Steve Heffernan (bass) and Pat McGrath (drums).In 2009 Kay D was nominated for female artist of the year and won the award for New Rising Star. She continued to work solo in clubs and fronting the band at festivals and large venues.A second album, Let It Rip followed in 2010. Sadly the new band line was also short lived and these days Kay-D only takes solo bookings.
She was voted Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2016 CCN Awards.
Research by Nick Catford.