Gotee Records has officially announced the signing of new singer/songwriter Sarah Kelly, who wowed audiences earlier this year when an industry crowd was treated to a sneak peek of Kelly’s powerful, gutsy rock and roll at a GMA showcase in Nashville. Kelly’s anticipated debut CD, Take Me Away, is set to release Feb. 24. The album’s title cut is the first single and will be serviced to both AC and CHR radio stations in November.

Kelly’s national debut release comes after her distinctive sound began to turn heads and create a buzz in music industry circles earlier this year. It wasn’t long before Kelly found herself pursued by several major labels before landing at Gotee Records.

Gotee founder Toby McKeehan was eager to sign Kelly the moment he heard her. “Sarah's voice and passion woke me out of an A&R slumber,” McKeehan says. “She took me from a mountain of demos to a moment of true worship, I believe.”

Gotee Records President Joey Elwood agrees. “Sarah Kelly doesn’t need a record company,” he says. “She’s already been recording, touring, promoting and selling on her own, and that’s both intimidating and humbling for us. But at the same time, it’s inspiring us. She is a new generation of artists that I’m seeing more and more every day, and frankly, it’s not scary, it’s a breath of fresh air not to be asked to be a venture capitalist, but a partner. Musically, we don’t deserve her. She’s raw, unfiltered, explosive, and elegant. How many records will she sell? I’m not sure. But she will make an impression on all of us. Everything about her demands that you take notice.”

In addition to her new recording agreement with Gotee, Kelly has also signed a long-term management agreement with Nashville-based Alabaster Arts, Inc., and a booking agreement with Creative Artist Agency (CAA), where she joins an exclusive artist roster that includes Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day and Sixpence None the Richer, among others.

"One of the greatest things about Sarah's music is the fact that her energy as a person translates so well into her performance,” says CAA agent Jeff Gregg. “She's such a vibrant and inspiring person to be around and her music reflects every bit of that. Everyone at Creative Artists Agency is thrilled to be working with her and we're excited to be helping her share her gift with others.”

Hailing from Rockford, Ill., Kelly recently moved to Nashville and is already performing an average of 150-200 concerts a year. As she prepares for her upcoming album release, Kelly is currently traveling to 20-plus cities this fall with New Artist of the Year Paul Colman Trio on “The One Tour.”

“I know without a doubt that I have the very best team of professionals surrounding me,” Kelly says. “I keep telling everyone that I’ve found the perfect fit, and I believe that wholeheartedly – even though I’m not sure I deserve it! They get who I am and what I’m about, so I’m so excited about all that is ahead of me, and I’m looking forward to the adventure.”

Take Me Away will be released through Chordant Distribution.