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turned here. I definitely consider myself a local,” she says. “The farthestI’ve been away was attending a music school in Florida. I always comeback. I went to Full Sail University in Florida, a private arts schoolthat specializes in computer animation, film, digital media and recordingarts.”Her interest in music started when she began piano lessons in thirdgrade. The music seemed to come naturally to her because, even thoughshe could read music, she picked up a song faster by ear. One day herfather gave her a guitar to see if she might like playing it.“That was in seventh grade, and I loved it. The guitar is my maininstrument today.”From playing music to performing was a natural progression, butnot an effortless one. “It wasn’t easy,” Kari says. “I had the worst stagefright. The first thing I ever did, live, by myself, was an open mic atCollege Delly, and I was terrified.” Today she is more comfortable, butthe nervousness still makes an appearance as she readies herself for thestage. “Always after the first song, I’m doing better,” she admits. “I’lllook down during that first song, just looking up a little, searching forthe energy from different parts of the room. I feed off where I see peoplereally enjoying the music.”Her strategy involves searching the crowd as she sings to see whoconnects with her music. “You can tell who gets into it,” she adds. Theperformance becomes singing to one person at a time, going from onefriendly face to the next, a one-on-one experience that makes stage frightdisappear since there is no anonymous crowd, just a collection of smilingindividuals.Her performances are both solo and a duo with her friend, Wes Forehand.She and Wes have a band they call Humble Beets. “Wes and Ihave been playing music together for about five years now,” Kari says.“Folk mixed with reggae, really a lot of genres like my personal style.It’s so hard to put a label on it. We’ve played all around the HamptonRoads area plus around the region from Virginia Beach up to Charlottesvilleand down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.” Some artistsfind working together a clash of ideas and styles, but Kari and Wes seemto meld their vision and approach to the music. “It just clicks betweenus,” Kari says. “He’s the lead guitar and I’m the rhythm.”The aspect Kari likes about the collaboration of a duo is the exuberancecreated when working with another artist. “You can feed off eachother,” she says. “That’s awesome. Having the companionship is greatbecause we pump each other up; we give each other motivation. Thathelps a lot, because when you play by yourself, sometimes I don’t feel asconfident. Wes makes me feel me comfortable.”Being on a stage alone can be intense. “A duo has more of a dynamic,”Kari says. Stage banter between the two helps relax both of them andthe audience. “We argue like family. We’re together so much, practicingand performing; sometimes we have four or five gigs a week.”The other side is Kari’s solo performances. “I can choose what I wantto do and how I want to do it,” she explains. “There aren’t any issues,right or wrong, it’s all my decision.”She knows that anytime there is collaboration among band members,there is compromise. “I can do what I want,” she says with a laugh.This artistic freedom also affects her sound. Both Kari as a solo artistand the duo Humble Beets do a mix of reggae, folk and blues, but whenKari performs alone, she says her vocals are stronger. “My voice shinesLet Us Make You Lookand Feel Your Best!Visit one of us & receive special treatment at special prices...10% Discount to All Active Duty Militaryand Their Dependents.Tuesday is Senior Day - 10% Off any ServicesPhone for your appointment today!757-253-7790www.illusionsbymarcus.comOffers good through 8/30/11(L to R) Lauren Klein, Mandi Ghoreishi, Amparo Crawford, Louise Gold. (Middle) Patty Johnson374 McLaws Circle • Suite OneOpen: Mon. - Fri. 9am to 6pmSat. 8am to 4pmEvening Appointments AvailableNow book yourappointments onlineand SAVE 10%cannot be combined with other offersLook at Your PropertyThrough Our EyesFrom concept to finished product, webring your dream of an outdoor oasis to life!Mid Atlantic Enterprise, Inc. provides expert design andinstallation for all of your outdoor living needs.www.midatlanticenterprise.com757-903-6275License No. 2705 121083AOur missionis to make yourproperty a retreat...a place where youlook forward tospending time.● Water Features ● Fire Features ● Patios ● Outdoor Kitchens● Outdoor Lighting ● Pools ● Retaining Walls ● Walks ● Pergolas ● More!NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSAUGUST2011 37