Welcome to the Kactus Avenue Blog: Wildly Rooted™ in Music
Hey there, I’m Keely, the heart behind Kactus Avenue. I’m so excited to kick off this blog and share a little piece of my story with you—the story of how music has been the thread weaving through my life since childhood. From the melodies that filled my grandma’s kitchen to the lyrics scribbled on notebook pages, music has always been at my core, shaping who I am and what this brand stands for.
Growing up in Nebraska, music was more than background noise; it was the soundtrack to everyday life. Whether it was my mom playing her favorite tunes on the car stereo or my grandma humming along to classics while cooking, there was always a melody in the air. One day on the way to preschool, I had a big idea—I wanted to record my first cover song. My brand-new karaoke machine, a Christmas gift I was obsessed with, was ready and waiting. My grandma sat down with me and helped write out the lyrics to “Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters. For a week straight, I practiced every word, pouring my little heart into learning that song. That moment sparked something in me that has never faded.
As a pre-teen, my love for music continued to grow. My first guitar, a First Act, became my prized possession, even when it was reduced to just three strings from being overly loved. Somewhere deep in my archives, there’s a hilarious video of me singing on my karaoke machine—perched on a vacuum cleaner—while my cousin strummed my three-string guitar. Looking back, it was raw, chaotic, and absolutely beautiful in its own way.
When I was seven, I visited Graceland, and let me tell you—I cried like a baby. Elvis was my hero, and that experience solidified my admiration for him. To this day, he’s a huge influence on my appreciation for music and its history. I later discovered that my grandma’s siblings had their own recordings of songs and rhymes they’d sing together. Learning about this family history made me realize how deeply music runs in my roots—it’s truly iconic.
As I’ve grown, I’ve been lucky enough to meet incredible artists, attend countless concerts, and continue soaking in the beauty of live music. These experiences have shaped not only my life but also the vision for Kactus Avenue. Music inspires everything I create—from the designs to the stories behind them. It’s all wildly rooted in the love and history of music that has been with me since I was that little girl belting out “Under the Boardwalk.”
This blog will be a space to share concert experiences, outfit ideas, and deep dives into the music that moves us. Whether you’re here for style inspo, stories, or just to connect, I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
Stay tuned, stay true, and keep the music playing.
Wildly rooted™,
Keely Ann
