y Nila Harris
FALMOUTH — Callie Daugherty has been singing since she was a young girl, singing at Neave United Methodist Church in Falmouth.
At the age of 12, she sang the national anthem for the veterans’ ceremony at the American Legion Post 109 in Falmouth.
Singing patriotic music touched her heart, she said, and she has been performing at veterans’ celebrations ever since.
When Daugherty was 17, she tried out for “American Idol.” Auditions were held in Newport with 1,200 musicians vying for the coveted position. Daugherty made it within “one or two rounds of the top 40” chosen.
She also tried out for “The Voice” in Atlanta and made it through three rounds in that competition.
Although Daugherty did not get to go on to compete at the final levels, she said she is grateful for the experiences and had a lot of fun doing the auditions.
Now Daugherty “writes a little bit, and plays. I love it — it’s my passion. I love seeing people enjoying my music.”
She continues to sing at veteran celebrations in Pendleton County, Alexandria and Cold Spring because “I love to give back (to the veterans).”
In addition to beautifully performing the national anthem for veterans, she sings music from “country to rock, to a little bit of R&B.”
For the past three years, Daugherty has been playing out live.
She said that singing/performing is a family affair.
“My little girl, Victoria, is 7; she loves to sing. My older daughter, Audrina, and stepdaughter, Sabrina, like to sing too,” Daugherty said.
Daugherty said her significant other, Kenneth Rarrieck, is her number one fan. He encouraged her to start performing gigs — even going to Nashville to perform.
Rarrieck books gigs for Daugherty, who has played at several private parties and establishments locally. She played at Holler Fest for a community in Alexandria a couple of Saturdays ago.
When not on a stage, Daugherty works part time at Heritage Bank in Butler.
Contact her at 859-428-6107.