Kim Cameron is a professional singer who has traveled internationally. She has also entertained the troops and wrote a touching tribute to the men and women at war.
Pictures and Videos courtesy on Diva Maverick Mavens courtesy of Kim Cameron and AMP3 Public Relations.
Let's lay little ground work. Did you come from a musical family?
Kim Cameron
No I did not.
If your family wasn't musical then how did you develop a love of singing and music?
Kim Cameron
Well, my father loved rock and roll. He used to turn on the Rolling Stones, Cat Stevens, Elvis and we would dance for hours in the living room. My mother was a big church goer and really pushed me towards the love of a choir. So, I guess, my family inspired me to some degree, but my first true introduction to music was when I was given a clarinet to learn.
Why the clarinet?
Kim Cameron
I suspect, it was because that was what my family could afford. I initially wanted to learn how to play the flute, but there were too many girls who had already signed up for that instrument, so, band teachers being band teachers, and wanting a balance, pointed me a different direction.
How many years between playing the instrument to actually studying voice did it take?
Kim Cameron
Well, not many. I actually did both. I started band in the 2nd grade and finally finished the 'band' route by the 8th grade (only because my school at the time would not allow me to do both singing and band) and starting singing in the 4th grade.
Did you receive accolades or awards at an early age singing?
Kim Cameron
I never entered a contest -- I cannot think of one that was offered, but I was always chosen as the lead for whatever I tried out for : Musicals, bands, performances, etc., even starting out when I was in 4th grade. I was Little Buttercup in the pirate play--- the name escapes me...Pirates of Penzance.
How did you come to study IT in college instead of music? Or did you?
Kim Cameron
Oh no. I studied Broadcast Journalism. The study of music was never in my mind - could not figure out how I would make any money with a music degree. IT--well, I just fell into that one. My first job -- I was a radio personality.
...a radio personality. Tell me about your first job?
Kim Cameron
Well, being on the radio was great fun and a great bore at the same time. You are basically talking to yourself for 6-8 hours each day. Sure, you play music in between, but you still talk to yourself. But, that was not the reason I left radio. I left radio because I could not afford to stay in that profession. With student loans to pay and an apartment, car, $11,000 a year was not going to cut it.
So, let's talk practicality and making dreams happen. Is that why you took the IT job?
Kim Cameron
Dreams and IT--unless I was the head of Apple, in my mind, never go together. I went into IT purely for the financial gain. What I realized, after sweating it out for 15+ years, the money was not worth it. When you come home every night and wonder why you are doing something full time+ and it does not give you that feeling of fulfillment and happiness....well, it's time to change. And, as a strong woman, I had two choices: live with being unhappy or make my dream happen. I really only had myself in the way. So, I launched.
So, what would you say was your biggest obstacle. What it finances, health, mindset or something else?
Kim Cameron
Hmmm, finances are an issue, but it would be wrong to blame it on the finances. If you really want something bad enough, you can work a budget to make it work. No, I would say mindset. Pushing aside those feelings that bring you down, those side comments by people who say you should just be happy with what you have, those inner voices that tell you--this will be really, really hard--are you sure you want to try it?
In the email your brother-in-laws illness seemed to inspire you into action. I would like to address this because illness can be devastating and can kill dreams and the will.
Kim Cameron
Ahh, but that is what can also force you to act in a way that you would never act. You see Angelia, it's not just that I want to do music full time, it's that I have to. There is a force in me that will not calm. I can honestly say that force was awakened with my brother in law, but it persisted after his recovery into a discovery of myself and of others. What I have found is when you truly pursue your dreams, or rather, your passion, your mind opens up to people. You listen more intently, you feel more deeply, you have left the baggage you once carried around at the door and now can more freely move and interact with others. Now, pursuing your dreams does not come for free, mind you, but I have found rewards in the pursuit itself. I have never had that feeling before.
There is a quote by Henry David Thoreau, "Go confidently...live the life you always imagined." Do you regret not going confidently into the future sooner or is there something to "divine timing."
Kim Cameron
Great question. I wish I had come to my senses about 10 years ago. However, I am not sure that I would be as talented. And by talent, I am looking at the whole package -- so 10 years ago, I was performing in a cover band having a great time, but it never occurred to me that I could write songs. Today, I have no fear of writing songs, singing songs, marketing my songs, leading a band, etc. Besides the singing part, 10 years ago, I could not have done what I have done in the last year.
Which leads me to the question of balance and making things happen? And then tell me about your music I have been listening to you on YouTube, Kim.
Kim Cameron
Balance. Well, I am still working on balance. I have used my business experience and applied it to my musical venture. As with any start up business, you have to have product or there is nothing to sell. So, I focused this first year on product. Now that I am starting (almost) year two, I will focus on marketing. So, I guess, I have had to 'balance' the right things based on where the business is at. Of course, there is 'home' balance as well. Unfortunately, that is not quite balanced yet--but I am working on it. My significant other and I have trimmed our weekend get aways almost entirely and I have been working most nights between performances or in studio with my producer for the last 6 months-- so that has been hard. The positive side, my significant other can see that the major 'development' effort (at least for now) is largely completed, leaving more time for us to refocus. As far as my friends, well, so far, they have been extremely supportive. So, about the music. The first album is made up of stories -- stories of people, friends, family that I know. I have gone back to the basics -- music / songs should be about telling a story. There are so many great ones to tell. I believe it makes it much more interesting. Contradictions has so many emotions - sorrow, force, love, passion, sadness. My next album - which is nearly complete, will be very happy and upbeat by comparison. It will be called Turning Point. I really did not realize how happy the album was until recently. I guess that is a reflection of my state of mind and again, represents my general feelings about pursuing your dreams.
If you could talk to women all over the world at once about pursuing there dreams, what advice would you give to them through your music and life. What wisdom would you impart today?
Kim Cameron
Never let someone tell you that you cannot do it. I am just incensed when I listen to people at times. Women are great listeners, so when people tell them they should not 'go for it', they have a tendency to back way down or stop altogether. I say, keep going. What is the worst that can happen? Nothing? Well, if you are not pursuing your dreams, then you have nothing right now - so there is no reason not to try. We all hold our own crystal ball.
Before I end this interview tell me the contact info you would like in the article for gigs buying a CD and then tell me about the tour in Asia?
Kim Cameron
Sure. admin@sidefxband.netis a good contact. You can buy our full album "Contradictions" or just individual songs on
Amazon and iTunes or through our website, www.sidefxband.net. Asia- well, in November, I performed at the America-China Woman's Business Leadership conference. The CEO of the organization and I hit it off. She also was inspired by my story and offered to help me take it to China this fall. Currently, she is gathering a host of sponsors who would fund the trip to China - I suspect it will be about 3 weeks total. In addition, the Philippine community has taken a liking to the music. My Scattered video is now on MTV Philippines and we are looking at a short tour this spring.
Thank you, Kim, your interview has been inspiring.
I just wanted to add that if anyone has any press/booking inquiries for Kim Cameron, they can feel free to direct their emails to Termeh Mazhari at SideFX!
- Name: Termeh Mazhari
- Email: sidefx@amp3pr.com
- URL: http://www.amp3pr.com
Angelia Miller is the founder of Diva Maverick Mavens www.divamaverickmavens a new bread of feisty, non-conformist adventure loving adrenaline-high entrepreneur. The tag line is: Empowering Women by Interviewing Empowered Women and inspiring them to take Action! Casting exceptional dynamic talent for fresh content is the mission of Diva Maverick Mavens. The interview is in the original transcript form with minimal editing to preserve the integrity of the content.
