Western Pennsylvania’s favorite ukulele player, Kallie Williams is taking her vivacious personality and injecting it into every live performance she does.
It was just five years ago that Kallie picked up a ukulele for the first time. Kallie bought her uke on Amazon and taught herself how to play with apps and YouTube videos.
The resilient Kallie is no stranger to life challenges – she was born with Cone-Rod Dystrophy and has been legally blind her entire life. “This, honestly, is the most important thing about me. It makes me unique, and I wouldn’t change it for anything, except maybe a drivers license!” says Kallie with a laugh.
“I can see, but I can’t – it’s complicated. My vision is 20/200 in one eye and 20/400 in the other. I can see things, just up close and no detail. It’s kind of nice though, ignorance is bliss in my world. I get to see things so much differently and honestly it’s a really beautiful thing to me! I am blessed in other ways,” she says, and she’s right. Kallie has definitely been blessed with musical talent.
Kallie also says her visual impairment has been beneficial in helping her with her stage fright. “It honestly helps not being able to see the crowd when I perform. If you would have told me five years ago I would be singing in front of these crowds I would have laughed,” Kallie says.
When we asked Kallie who her biggest musical influence is, she answered without hesitation. “One of the most influential musicians in my life is my Aunt Brenna Larson. When I first started my uke adventures, she pushed me to play at my first open mic night and her drive gave me the courage to overcome my initial stage fright,” says Kallie.
Kallie also says that although her personal music style is much different, artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Dojo Cat and Saweetie have inspired her to be courageous in her uniqueness and stage presence.
If you’re ever in Western Pennsylvania, be sure to catch Kallie Williams performing live!
Kallie will be performing at the Arbor House Coffee Cafe in Warren, PA at 10:00 am on Saturday June 11th.
She will be at Bent Run Brewing Company in Warren, PA at 6pm on Saturday, June 18th.
Kallie will be performing at Band Aid III NW PA Music Festival on Liberty Street in Warren, PA at noon on Saturday July 9th.
On Sunday, July 17th Kallie will be performing at the Bryce Knapp Benefit at the Celeron American Legion in Jamestown, NY.
And on Friday, August 12th from 7-9:00pm, join Kallie for Music In The Park at Soldiers And Sailors Park in Warren, PA!
Check out Kallie’s new website www.KallieWilliams.com and be sure to follow her on Facebook: CLICK HERE.
For more of Kallie’s amazing videos, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to her YouTube channel: CLICK HERE.
