Life & Work with Katelyn Epperly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Epperly.

Hi Katelyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was three years old the first time I performed on a stage. That’s where the obsession with music began.

A fact that often raises eyebrows is my upbringing in Des Moines, Iowa—undoubtedly a simple place not renowned for its vibrant entertainment scene. Nevertheless, I seized every available opportunity to perform any and everywhere I could in the city. I picked up the piano along the way and eventually this love of performing blossomed into a love of songwriting, as well. When the time came for college, I recognized the need to venture beyond Iowa’s confines to nurture not only my musical growth but my growth as a young adult. This led me to Millikin University for a dedicated study of music.

Have you ever felt that the most trying moments in life propel you towards something greater? I can certainly attest to this. In 2009, following my first year at Millikin, a familial breakdown rocked my world and sent me searching for answers. As always, music became my refuge. This time, I drove to Chicago, joining 12,000 other hopefuls in line for auditions for American Idol Season 9. I landed a spot on the show and made it to the Top 16. After I was voted off, I was far from discouraged, I moved to Nashville where I got my BA in Business with a focus on entrepreneurship and continued to write and perform all over town.

The next forcing function was a breakup in 2017. This sent me from Nashville to LA, where I began ‘dipping my toes’ in the waters of the film industry. I juggled various roles on many film sets over the years. Over this course of time, I developed relationships with producers, composers, and other industry figures, ultimately leading to opportunities to contribute original music to feature films. I’ve had several songs featured in various Netflix and MAX original films, most of which have placed in the Top 10, including a handful of #1 hits. Outside of writing for film, I continue to collaborate and release songs under the name EVERLY with songwriters locally in LA, across the U.S., and even overseas. I also just launched an Educational Music show for young children on YouTube called BIRDIE!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s funny, I look back on when I have been asked this question in the past and I’ve had such starkly different answers depending on what stage of life I’m in. The way I feel about this question currently: it’s a bit too complicated to say “yes” or “no” to. I have an abundance of blessings but also a multitude of challenges in my life. And honestly, it’s hard to know what is ultimately a positive or negative influence on your work. You never want to wish struggle or pain on yourself. Yet, it’s all too obvious to me that sometimes, when things are going smoothly, it’s easy to get complacent. And complacency is the antithesis of art, in my opinion.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a singer/songwriter who can write in almost any genre but I tend to lean pop, folk, and acoustic. I release music under the name EVERLY.

Links to stream my music across all platforms: https://linktr.ee/everlysings

Over the last few years, I have worked almost exclusively on Christmas movies! You can watch them ALL on either Netflix or MAX (HBO’s new platform) this holiday season! And surprise… I happen to act and sing in two of them, which are the first two movies listed below:

A California Christmas (Netflix)
A California Christmas: City Lights (Netflix)
I Believe in Santa (Netflix)
A Hollywood Christmas (MAX)
Holiday Harmony (MAX)
A Christmas Mystery (MAX)
Holiday in the Vineyards (Netflix)

Most recently, I created an Early Childhood Education Music show on YouTube with my fiance and my best friend, entitled “Birdie” – which is also the name of the character I play in the series. We just launched the show and are having SO much fun!

You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/@birdiekids

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everlysings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everlysings
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/everlysings
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/@birdiekids, https://linktr.ee/everlysings (all streaming)

Image Credits
Elaina Karras, Jamie Christopherson