kari's bio
Kari Hilpert is an independent artist and songwriter, currently living near Nashville, Tennessee. Her light, smooth, voice and acoustically oriented style is reminiscent of the Folk-Americana singers of the sixties and seventies.
Kari was raised in Peoria, Illinois. Growing up, she was inspired by fellow Peoria-native Dan Fogelberg, as well as by James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and John Denver. By age nine she knew that she wanted to be a singer.
After years of piano lessons, Kari's parents bought her a guitar when she was fifteen. It was a twelve string 1977 Gibson that she fell in love with at the shop. She learned on that instrument, and to this day prefers to perform her unique picking patterns on a twelve string guitar.
Although she sang with high school choirs, Kari was rejected by every choral group she tried out for in college and beyond. She was told her voice was too unique and stood out too much. Kari has turned that supposed liability into an asset, singing with ensemble groups and as a solo act ever since. It is her uniqueness that makes her a pleasure to listen to.
"I finally realized it wasn't a bad thing that I didn't fit in musically," says Kari. "I saw that what was unique about me could be a positive asset."
After her sophomore year of college, Kari left school to go on the road, touring with bands, and at times by herself, throughout the United States, Canada and East Africa.
In 1992 Kari married Tom Hilpert, a pastor, writer and fellow musician. They have four children. Kari continued her pursuit of music through marriage and motherhood, singing locally and producing an independent album, Come Follow in 1997. In 2003 Kari and her family moved to the Nashville area where she has continued to develop both her writing and performing. Currently [spring 2007] she is working on another independent release.
As an artist and a songwriter, Kari has her own special sound and style. Her voice stands out, and doesn't fit most traditional categories. She primarily writes mainstream music, but her vibrant faith has led her to also write Christian songs, many of which are included on the Come Follow album. Her music, regardless of genre is infused with a sense of joy and hope, carried along by soaring melodies and tight, unusual harmony.
