Cindy Kalmenson
In her 20’s, Cindy taught bilingual second grade in Santa Cruz and Santa Monica as well as high school Spanish…After 7 years teaching school and doing community theater in the evening , she was ready to chase her dream of being a musical entertainer . In 1995 California girl leaves her native state and heads to Nashville to rediscover herself in a new landscape and to soak in the muse of twang town. At age 34 with no more than a car load of stuff, Cindy moved to Nashville to concentrate solely on writing and singing. Within a year she came out with her debut CD, Let Me Out Here. The title track won first place in the 2003 International Songwriting contest and was featured in the HBO comedy BIG LOVE in 2006 . in 2002, she co-produced Witness, with grammy award winner, Jon Randal. The title track won first place at the prestigious Chris Austin songwriter’s contest at MerleFest in 2002. In 2009 Cindy and her family moved back to California. In that same year CIndy released I’m Not Leaving, which was nominated Americana song of the year and CD of the year by the Los Angeles Music Awards.. In 2010 Cindy won best song in the West Coast Songwriting Association for Alabama Bliss.
13 years later a new chapter begins with the release of her 4th CD , Home Again conceived and recorded in Ojai , California. With a total of 11 songs , 10 written solely by Cindy in addition to one song in Spanish, Lo Siento Mi Vida, by Linda Rondstadt , Kenny Edwards and Gilbert Rondstadt . Cindy is excited to get back to what she loves the most, singing her songs and entertaining audiences.
The Lucky Ducks
In 2009, after 14 years in Nashville, Cindy and her family moved back to California, and shortly there after The Lucky Ducks was formed. The Lucky Ducks played a mixure of Jazz, folk, blues, and country originals with familiar favorites woven throughout… and they won best band of Ojai 2013. Although this was a great experience for all involved , it was time for Cindy to get back to her roots as a solo artist. She will always be grateful for the knowledge and growth she received as part of the Lucky Ducks.
Dave Pomeroy’s production of Cindy’s CD is terrific, since he surrounded her with some of Music City’s session best.
—This breezy bopper (the title track) is propelled by a rolling rhythm track. Her feathery, likable delivery is backed by dobro tickling by Rob Ickes and a harmony vocal by the equally esteemed Jon Randall. Very ear opening and very, very good.
…Kalmenson, founder and host of the long-running Girls With Guitars songwriter nights, can write a strong hook and clothe it in rich, fresh storytelling. Plus she sings with a pleasing combination of delicate sensuality and sung-spoken rock attitude that lands somewhere on the slightly softer side of Kathleen Edwards or Sheryl Crow. Her songs benefit from the touch of bass master Dave Pomeroy (who co-produced the album with her), Dobro wizard Rob Ickes and guitar talent Pat Bergeson.
FolkWax gives I’m Not Leaving a 10. Cindy Kalmenson knows how to tell stories, whether they be lighthearted or sad, serious or funny, ballad or up-tempo. She’s got a few of each on her latest release, I’m Not Leaving. As a singer, Kalmenson has a gift for storytelling and phrasing well suited to the stories she writes. She sings in a light yet powerful soprano that reminds a bit of FolkWax favorite and artist of the year Gretchen Peters.
…Listening to Cindy’s CD will draw you alternately in with the innocence or defiance in her voice that belies her conviction for the way she views life, whether it be about relationships, the environment or social consciousness.
Awards
Rocky Mountain folks festival 2023 WINNER of song writing contest
Winner Best Musical Group Ojai 2013 Cindy Kalmenson and the Lucky Ducks
Winner best song West Coast Songwriting Associations 2010 Alabama Bliss 2010
I’m Not Leaving scores a 10 out of 10 with Folkwax online magazine
I’m Not Leaving Song of the Year nominee in LA music awards
I’m Not Leaving Record of the Year nominee for LA music awards
1st place Winner of the International Songwriting Contest for best country song: 2003
One Earth finalist in USA songwriting competition
Spoplight artist in the Performing Songwriter Magazine Dec. 2003
1st place Winner of the 2002 Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest
3rd place Winner of the 2002 Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest
1st place Winner of South Florida Folk Festival Song Contest ’03 for Best Up Tempo Song
1st place Winner for best Americana song for Hobo Rock Star by Just Plain Folks 2002
A finalist at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival and Falcon ridge folk festival songwriter showcases
DIY pick for Witness (CD) in Jan ’03 issue of Performing Songwriter
DIY pick for Let Me Out Here (CD) Sept. ’98 issue of Performing Songwriter
Witness(CD) top 10 CDs of ’02 by the Santa Monica Mirror and Folkwax best of
Witness (CD) wins 3rd place for Best Americana record of ’02 by Just Plain Folks