Who is Caylin

“I’ve got gypsy roots, like granddad’s cowboy boots”. Born in the rolling hills of Massachusetts this accidental country girl celebrates the release of her first 2017 EP, Revenge. These five original songs are a glimpse into her personal life. Pulling from experiences in her life results in raw and deeply vulnerable lyrics. These songs follow Lee’s exploration of childhood, heartbreak, dreams, loss, marriage and adulthood realities.

The daughter of a police officer, teacher and oldest of three sisters has allowed Caylin’s songwriting to be raw, real and relatable.

Revenge released and celebrated in 2017 at Northfire Recording Studio in Amherst, Massachusetts and was produced by Garrett Sawyer. This EP effortlessly captures the tender nature of the lyrics while maintaining true country roots. Jim Henry known for his work with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss, Tracy Grammer and many more artists brings an electricity to each song with his work on guitar, steel string, and dobro. Caylin’s sound is shaped by all the great women of country who came before her. 

Caylin’s journey to country began in fourth grade when her violin teacher pulled her mom into a lesson just to prove Caylin needed a guitar instead. Standing alongside all her classmates Caylin held her violin like a guitar and refused to use a bow. That was enough to convince her parents and at the age of 10 they surprised her with her first guitar for christmas. By that night she had taught herself a few chords. Knowing someday she would share her music with the world.

At 16 she was ready for her first American Idol audition. The road to Idol that year was a rough one but Caylin’s parents were determined to help her dreams come true. Months before the big day Caylin’s mother began treatment for stage three soft tissue sarcoma. Fitted in a black polka dotted dress with matching shoes and her dad by her side. Caylin belted out Leave the Pieces by the Wreckers wide eyed and hopeful. Even though idol passed on Caylin six times since 2007 she has used their feedback as fuel for her songwriting, performing, and stage presence.

Since Idol Caylin has participated in various singing/songwriting contests including Texaco Country Showdown which she entered with her former band Red Wine and Lace. One sunny afternoon in the kitchen Caylin and her sisters were jamming out to Little Big Town and joked about forming a band. The trio competed in local fairs including battle of the bands and Texaco. After the band lost a member to college now the Red Wine and Lace duo went on to compete on The Voice only to be cut after callbacks. Although Caylin loves performing with her sisters she persisted on the music path as a solo artist.

In 2011 tragedy struck the Lee household and the girls lost their beloved father to suicide just a few days before Christmas. It has been a long journey negativing grief in both Caylin’s personal life and professional life. Today suicide is the second leading cause of death in America alone. “ I know that my father’s suicide creeps into my songwriting. I find it to be healing, magical, transformative and hopeful. So many people are affected by suicide I want to be the one to show them that music is powerful medicine. I want to show them that there is life within grief, there is life after the loss of a loved one.”

Losing her father had a huge impact on both Caylin’s songwriting, her outlook on life and her music. Just six short years after the tragedy Caylin packed up and left her little sleepy town in Massachusetts and drove thirteen and a half hours to Nashville, Tennessee. There she settled into the quiet town of Gallatin while attending Belmont University and working a full time job. Now residing back in Massachusetts Caylin spends her days as a preschool teacher and her weekends touring at bars, festivals, fairs and farmers markets. Along with originals Caylin puts her own twist on covers including Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town and many more. Usually touring along with her trusty bright blue Fender Sonoran SCE she has just recently introduced a small band who will join her on various 2019 tour dates.

Recently Caylin has won 2019 New England Country Music Organization songwriter of the year for her single "HURRICANE". Along with that award she won Horizon female vocalist and 2019 New England Country Music Organization Album of the year for "REVENGE". The journey to Nashville and home again has inspired new music which can be heard at many of her shows!