Smithfield teen Bria Kelly to open Country Winterblast

By Kim O'Brien Root

Smithfield teen singer-songwriter sensation Bria Kelly is on tap to open this year's Country Winterblast music festival at the Hampton Coliseum on Saturday.

Bria, who at just 16 has already performed in Nashville and opened for country stars such as Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker and Josh Kelly, last year won the annual festival's challenge contest.

"She's got a really, really strong voice," said John Shomby, operations manager for Virginia Beach radio station 97.3 The Eagle, which is sponsoring the family-friendly festival. "She's a phenomenal talent."

The festival, in its fifth year, features country music singer Josh Turner as its headliner, along with national recording artists Gloriana, Andy Gibson, Sunny Sweeney, The Farm and Kip Moore. Turner, a South Carolina native, entered the country music scene about a decade ago and has had several No. 1 hits.

Despite the slight intimidation factor, Bria said she's thrilled to be sharing the stage with Turner.

"I'm really excited," said Bria, a sophomore honor-roll student at Smithfield High School.

Bria began her singing career at 11, performing the national anthem for the Norfolk Admirals. She's since sung the anthem more than 40 times, including for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Orioles.

She's won a number of singing contests and performed at venues around Hampton Roads and Virginia. In the past year, she's been writing her own songs, focusing on acoustic work. She carefully balances school and music, often performing with friends and fellow musicians Logan Flurry, Carson Burch and Andrew Ballard in an unnamed band.

Bria, who plays the guitar, describes her singing style as soulful, rather than traditional country - "something different, not exactly your traditional country singer.... I'm not like everyone else."

Winterblast opens its doors at 2:30 p.m., with the finals of the latest Country Winterblast Challenge at 3 p.m. on the side stage, where the 2012 winner will be crowned.

That winner will kick off next year's festival and do shows, as Bria has, for 97.3 The Eagle throughout the year.

Turner is scheduled to take the stage at 8:15 p.m., performing for 30 to 40 minutes.

But there's more: Besides the musical performances, the festival will include face-painting, cornhole games, country karaoke, country-western vendors and line-dancing exhibitions and lessons. There will be kids' activities and autograph sessions with each of the artists.

"There's a real festival atmosphere going on," Shomby said.

Kim O'Brien Root, kimberoot@gmail.com