Bio | Cami Stinson

Biography

Cami's music is often discribed as soulful and jazzy. Her original song "When You're Out Tonight" even afforded her a nomination for new songwriter at the 2009 Urban Music Awards in New York City. However, her path to pop, soul and jazz surprisingly began with Western Swing.

Cami sang throughout her childhood, performing mostly on the stages of Opry theaters like the McSwain Theater, the Oklahoma Opry, the Johhny High's Show in Arlington, Texas, the Main Street Opry in Dennison, Texas, and the Grapevine Opry. These theaters and her experience performing with local bands such as Johnny Shackleford's, made her comfortable with performing with bands. Always interested in blues and jazz, Cami began taking fiddle lessons from Western Swing Music Hall of Fame Fiddler Benny Kubiak. Kubaik played fiddle alongside legend Bob Wills for many years, and graciously worked with Cami on improvisation and swing-style fiddling.

Cami received numerous honors for her classical vocal performances while in high school, such as her membership in the All-State Chorus and the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Chorus.

Cami went to South Plains College in Levelland, Texas to study commercial music. There she performed in a western swing ensemble led by guitarist Joe Carr. She also starred in the monthly "Thursday Nite Live" television broadcast led by Cary Banks. She credits her professors and friends at South Plains College with equipping her with the determination and skills to pursue a commercial music career.

It was there she met John Cross, and the two formed the group Cami Stinson and the 'Round Town Riot. The group performed primarily swing around Texas and Oklahoma. After beginning to write original music, Cami found her style was changing into more jazz and soul inspired music. Fans and venues began to shorten the group's name to Cami and the Riot, and the name has stuck. The Riot changes in size to accommodate different events and venues, but Cami relishes the shows with the large band.

In 2007, Cami graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Journalism and Broadcasting (public relations option). During her time there, she was an award-winning student reporter for Oklahoma Public Radio (KOSU 91.7) and a honor student. Cami continues to use her public relations skills to help promote her music career.

In 2009, Cami released her debute album In The Morning. She and guitarist John Cross produced and arranged the album. Cross was also very instrumental in helping Cami write eight of the album's ten tracks.