Rising Star Has Local Roots

BY SHANNON HOLBROOK

Mount Vernon, Kentucky, native Camille Rae is a rising star on the Nashville, Tennessee stage. The former Camp AJ counselor has followed her heart and her voice to make a life as a musician.

“I have just always known that I was meant to do this and have music in my life,” Rae said.

Singing publicly since age 3, Rae performed across Kentucky at church revivals and talent shows. She started playing guitar and songwriting at age 12 and also performed in her middle and high school choirs.

Rae attended Camp AJ as a camper. “I always wanted to sing and perform for everyone,” she said. “The counselors and staff always nurtured that so well.” Camp AJ is a place where children learn to dream and think about a future in which they can realize those dreams.

Before pursuing teaching full-time, Rae spent three years as a music leader and counselor for Camp AJ. “It was a blessing because I was able to share my gift with children and see how much music impacted their lives,” Rae said.

She remembers a camper who was deaf that learned the words to his favorite song, “I Can Only Imagine,” and signed along. “He loved praise and worship time because he could feel the vibrations of the music,” Rae explained. “It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed, and it proved to me the beauty and importance of music: that it is therapeutic and universal.”

Rae learned a lot about herself at Camp AJ. “I took on some leadership roles that really prepared me for life as an educator and band leader,” she said.

She graduated from University of the Cumberlands with a music education degree with classical training in opera. Post graduation she taught high school choir for three years. Then, she moved to Canada to pursue musical theatre and then to Nashville, six years ago, to pursue a solo career as a country music artist. “I have been writing, recording, and touring ever since,” she said.

Camille Rae started singing publicly at the age of 3. She spent three years as a music leader and counselor at Camp AJ. She is now pursing a solo career as a country music artist in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2015, Rae released her debut album “I Need Me.” It included her first single, “Shadows Dance Tonight,” which hit number 55 on Nashville’s Music Row Chart. She opened for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, American Idol’s David Cook, and Maddie and Tae. She recently released her latest project, “This Time.” Next, Rae is planning to tour throughout the Midwest and the South.

“It can be hard at times and would be easy to give up and do something else,” Rae said, “But I am determined to keep going and fulfill what I believe to be my purpose.”