Rising Country Singer Uses Talent for God

RIGHT FROM THE START 

Celeste wasted no time in developing her singing skills. Starting at age five, she sang in church choirs, performed in school plays, and loved singing along with her dad to his favorite tunes by Alabama, James Taylor, and The Eagles. When she was 12, Celeste auditioned and was chosen for the Disney pop group, “RD7,” comprised of seven kids. The group opened for a number of big names who came to their area, including Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Raven, The Cheetah Girls and Kelly Clarkson.

Celeste’s parents started taking her to Nashville when she was 14 to learn from talented singers and producers, and take part in anything open to her at that age. She also attended a summer camp in California where she met producers and also started playing the guitar and working on songwriting.  

Not long afterward, Celeste was featured in an independent movie, Much Ado About Middle School with Bill Cobbs, Lee Meriwether and Blake Michael of The Disney Channel. The movie won four Dove Awards. In time, Celeste received five callbacks and a screen test offer for the show Glee. She decided to turn it down to maintain control of her music, which the contract would have given to the production company. Celeste also received calls to audition for the shows Nashville, Malibu Country and Hairspray Live. The latter part was given to Ariana Grande. 

Though grateful for acting opportunities, her love has always remained in music. Celeste has been performing at fairs, festivals, speedways, and various shows for years, as well as recording songs in Nashville. She’s also had the opportunity to open for Scotty McCreery, Raelynn, Eric Paslay, Easton Corbin, Brett Eldridge, LeAnn Rimes, Jeffrey Steele, Canaan Smith and Cowboy Troy. With the new album coming out, she looks forward to a tour through the east coast, and parts of Texas, FL, and CA. While Celeste would like to sign with a record company at some point, she will only do so if the right deal came along, allowing her to maintain control of her music and image.  

WHAT GROUNDS HER

“We have a super close family,” Celeste says. In fact, her “day job” is working as the office manager for her dad’s water well business, keeping the books and doing the taxes. Her parents’ support means everything to her. As does her faith. “Going to church every Sunday and singing in the choir keeps me from losing my mind in a crazy business with lots of disappointments and critiques. My relationship with God has kept me sane.” Celeste has seen her faith grow in recent years through spending more time with the Lord, studying the Bible, and singing at times as a form of worship, not performance.  

She says she’s come to realize that some things simply don’t matter, and that some relationships are not the best for her. Other boosts to her faith are the popular Bible drama, The Chosen, and The 700 Club, which she watches every day. “It starts the day off right,” she says.

The song Remember Me, recorded by the group Alabama, is written as if Jesus were asking people to remember Him and His death on the cross as they celebrate Christmas with various traditions. Celeste has loved it since she first heard it, and appreciates the reminder to focus on Christ.  
                      
For infomation and to follow Celeste Kellogg's career, please visit her website: CelesteKellogg.com.