Authenticity fuels success of country music artist Kylie Frey, performing in Pueblo this weekend

Apr. 9—Living up to her truest self through all walks of life has prepared country music artist Kylie Frey for her chart-topping career that will bring her to The Gutterhouse in Pueblo West, Saturday night.

Frey, who is opening for Easton Corbin, has made it her mission in the music industry to live so authentically to herself that it inspires others to do the same.

"I just want my fans and anyone that connects with me to just own their story in a way they maybe hadn't before," Frey said.

Growing up a third-generation rodeo girl and Louisiana state goat-tying champion, Frey is no stranger to being a lone ranger in a world that continues to rely on what is trending.

"All my life pretty much revolved around rodeo, and it was kind of something no one at school really understood," Frey said. "They kind of poked fun at it every now and then, just because they didn't understand it. Not in a mean way, but who goes and ropes cows or ties goats on the weekend?

"It was just the way I grew up, and it comes out in my music. I was doing what I loved even if no one understood that, and I guess that kind of translates to music as well."

Frey started singing at a young age and played the guitar throughout her childhood, but by the time she was in high school, song writing had become an outlet to cope with the lifestyle differences she faced from her peers.

While attending a songwriters festival in Florida, Frey encountered a songwriter she said made her feel every emotion under the sun within an hour — that was an a-ha moment that cemented her dreams of being a part of the music industry.

Frey teamed up with Grammy-winner Paul Worley and the two produced a single, 'Too Bad' with Randy Rogers. After producing a few more singles, Frey said everything began to fall apart on the business side of things, but Worley never gave up on her.

"(Worley) was really the only thing I had," Frey added. "He really kept me going and finally it's making sense to keep recording music and getting the show on the road."

After finding her footing, Frey and Worley were working on a six-song set, had most of the tracks recorded, and then COVID hit — forcing the rising artist to make a transition.

Like all artists, the only road left to travel during this time was that of social media — a road that Frey said she struggled with.

"I'm very much a people person," Frey said. "And I feel disconnected through a phone. I don't feel genuine singing to my iPhone versus singing to people and that was something I had to get over really quick. Either I was forced to do it or you're out of the game."

The hardship was just another lesson learned, as it showed her a strength within herself she didn't know she had.

"The world is crazy and there's just a lot going on," Frey said. "At the end of the day, all I have is my story and what I can bring to people. It made me own that in a way I haven't before, and it made me really grateful for what I get to do. We're always going to be overcoming something, and I feel like I surprised myself a little bit. Like there was more strength in me than I realized."

Despite the obstacles thrown in her path, Frey is topping the country music charts in Texas and Spotify playlists.

It's almost as if she's been training for the job before she knew she would have it, Frey said, which has helped her navigate each hardship — forging on in pursuit of her dreams.

"When you rodeo, the events — you aren't playing sports with a team," Frey said. "They were standalone events, and that's the music business. I have a band, but at the end of the day I call the shots and it's my thing. It's easy to follow a trend to see what everyone else is doing, but that's just never really been me.

"I just have faith in what I'm doing, what I see for myself, and just keep moving forward and believing in that."

Frey's updates and music are available on Spotify, Instagram @kyliefrenchfrey, and Facebook page.

According to The Gutterhouse website, the show Saturday night is sold out, but limited tickets will be available at the door. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 8 p.m.

Chieftain and Pueblo West View reporter Alexis Smith can be reached by email at asmith@chieftain.com or on Twitter @smith_alexis27.