Sandy Kastel
Singing since she could speak, Sandy Kastel the former Miss Nevada, recently released her first album, “This Time Around.” The auburn beauty originally born in San Francisco, California resides in both Nashville and Las Vegas. Strongly influenced by both her mother and father, Kastel’s music reflects her heritage.
Growing up in Las Vegas influenced Kastel’s musical career where she performed in bands and musicals such as “Sweet Charity” and “Funny Girl.” Her mother sang country songs while her father played jazz in big bands. As Kastel grew up she developed a deep appreciation for musical comedies and the legends who performed on the stages of Las Vegas.
As Kastel began focusing on writing songs she was drawn to Nashville, joining the Nashville Songwriters Association International where she found a strong connection to Music City. It was while attending the Grand Old Opry that she met Miles Bell, longtime manager and booking agent, who introduced her to the producer and multiple Dove Award Winner, Dan Posthuma, who would help Kastel pay tribute to the legends she admired.
Kastel’s cd, “This Time Around” blends traditional styles with new arrangements to create new versions of classics originally made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Judy Garland as well as current icons Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. For example, she sings her rendition of “Luck Be a Lady,” a song traditionally sung by a man, but just as relevant to women.
Kastel acknowledges that her music addresses women’s ever-changing roles in society and in relationships. Discussing her album as it relates to women, Kastel said,
“Cry Me a River is what a woman feels when a man has broken her heart. My Man is when a woman loves her man no matter what he does. Both are important messages that are valid as much today as when they were first written.”
In her music Kastel sings the many nuances of relationships.
“It’s a fine balance of not needing a man in your life to complete you, but wanting to share your life with a man. It’s about wanting to be treated with respect and understanding and being accepted for who you are and giving the same in return.”
With her songs speaking out to the hearts of women, she also has a song that reaches out to the dreams of an organization close to her heart, the Children’s Miracle Network. Kastel describes, “Somewhere over the Rainbow,”
“’Somewhere over the Rainbow’ speaks to our hearts. It represents the hopes and dreams of all children everywhere.”
The Children’s Miracle Network is different from other charities for children, because the money raised in a specific community benefits the children in that community. Our local affiliate is the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
In addition to promoting the Children’s Miracle Network, Kastel also promotes the National Hot Rod Association. Kastel spends time traveling to Indianapolis, Indiana to the NHRA Circuit to support long-time friend and top drag race driver, David Rampy. Teaming up with Rampy, together they have raised money to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Rampy, a NHRA top fifty contender and tied in 10th place for NHRA’s all time national event winner is sponsored by Kastel’s label Silk and Satin Records, which is displayed on his cars and trailer. When Kastel isn’t at the NHRA races or working on her next album, she is on the road touring and promoting “This Time Around.”
This weekend, Kastel will be in Franklin for the Franklin Jazz Festival. Kastel will perform on Sunday, September 2, from 7-8 p.m. on the square in downtown Franklin. Kastel is excited about performing in Franklin, she commented,
“The thing I love about Franklin is its historical ties. It holds onto tradition and brings everyone together to share and celebrate music at the town square.”
Come out and hear Kastel perform on Sunday, September 2 at 7p.m. It is going to be a show; you do not want to miss!
For more information about Sandy Kastel visit her website at www.sandykastel.com.
To learn more about the Children’s Miracle Network visit http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/hospitals.php.
