Singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1956. Kimmie’s family moved to Lubbock when she was five years old, and soon after, at just six she began her singing career. She would travel with her father who worked as a car dealer where he encouraged her to sing to audiences at churches, nursing homes, and school functions as part of a family gospel trio with her brother, Michael. Kimmie’s professional career began after a move to Austin in 1979 when she was introduced to Joe Gracey, a DJ and producer instrumental in the Austin “progressive country” scene. Just a year later, she was recording her first album with her band Kimmie Rhodes & The Jackalope Brothers at the invitation of Willie Nelson at his private recording studio in Spicewood, Texas. The success of this album, and two more during the 1980s led to Kimmie touring Britain and Europe where she established a solid international fan base. Back in the United States, her popularity continued to grow thanks to performances on Austin City Limits with Patty Griffin, Dave Matthews, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, and appearing on Late Night with David Letterman, performing “West Texas Heaven” at his personal request. A prodigious songwriter, Kimmie has not only released 16 solo albums but her songs have been recorded by some of the biggest names in music, including Amy Grant, Trisha Yearwood, Peter Frampton, and Mark Knopfler. Kimmie resides in Austin, Texas, where she operates her own music label and studio and continues to write, record, and tour nationally and internationally.
Kimmie Rhodes was inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame in 2023.
