Katelyn Marks will be in concert on Tuesday July 21st at 7 pm.

From the first time Katelyn Marks set foot on stage at the age of 4, her musical ability has been unmistakably evident. Even in the seventh grade when she would gather her thoughts and melodies on paper, it was clear she was not just an average girl. Her raw talent and capability to capture her emotions in song has made her story all the more real. Throughout her life, she has turned to music as a way to let things go and to share her life situations with others. Since then her voice has turned heads in the music industry, including the likes of Nashville studio drummer/songwriter/producer Lonnie Wilson, and American Idol producers that she has met over the years. Born in Virginia and raised in the Carolinas, this homegrown gal knows her country music. From her upbringing, she discovered artists such as Faith Hill, Leann Rimes, Patsy Cline, and Shania Twain, all of whom shared a lifelong dream of being a country recording artist. Katelyn also realized her commercial potential in August of 2008, when she auditioned for American Idol in Jacksonville, Florida. After making it to the 4th round in front of judges Randy, Simon, Paula, and Kara, she felt on top of the world. Her determination to catch her dream became a reality as she stepped in front of the cameras.

When asked by Simon why she should be the next American Idol, Katelyn’s response was “My goal is not only to be a recording artist, but more importantly to be a role model to those around me. I want to touch people’s lives with my music.” Katelyn has since polished her skills as a modern/contemporary country music songwriter, and she soon caught the eye of the legendary Lonnie Wilson. In 2008, a self-titled EP (“Katelyn Marks”) was recorded and produced in Nashville by Wilson. Wilson and Marks teamed up to make the most of these songs, and were able to audibly capture stories of heartache, love, and just good-time country anthems. Katelyn said, “Each song on the EP is very special to me because the stories in each of these songs are things that happen in everyday life. I want people to be able to relate to who I am and what I've experienced through my music, and it seems that what I have always dreamed of is finally starting to come true! I thank God everyday for the things He has given me and the people He has put into my life.” Since the release of the EP, Marks has been maintaining her presence in the Carolinas, playing festivals as far up as Warsaw, VA., and performing at local bar/grill restaurants, clubs, coffee shops, weddings, and banquets.