The Chase

Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: News

Media Credit: James Jiang Kacee Lovato, an ENMU student who died in a car accident in January released one CD to local stores. The CD is in high demand and difficult to find right now, but more will be available soon, according to her former manager Kevin Gardels.

An overwhelming outpour of community support after the death of local singer Kacee Lovato has made her only CD extremely sought after but equally hard to find.

Kevin Gardels, who was Lovato's producer, mentor and friend, said Lovato's CD, titled "Look at Me Now" has sold out, but added that he hopes to make Lovato's CD readily available in at least two weeks. The ENMU Bookstore will be one venue where the CD will be for sale.

Lovato died Jan. 29 in a car accident. Gardels said that 20-year-old Lovato had been working on a second CD that would have included original songs. "Look at Me Now" is a compilation of covers.

Gardels said Lovato sought him out as a mentor when she was a senior at Portales High School. He said he was immediately taken by Lovato's voice, friendliness and humility.

"The first time she sang, as an audition, I had tears in my eyes," Gardels said. "She was that powerful. It was unbelievable. This was a girl with true, God-given talent."

Gardels decided to put together The Kacee Lovato Band, which centered around the young singer and typically played country music.
Gardels said The Kacee Lovato Band played at fairs, rodeos and at clubs in Amarillo, Texas, to name a few venues.

The band promoted "Look at Me Now" on various radio stations. Despite the fact that Lovato did not play an instrument, Gardels said she had a keen understanding of music.

Without the aid of recording equipment or a need to do a song several times before getting it right, Gardels said Lovato was an impressive live performer. He said The Kacee Lovato Band consistently attracted large crowds and that it was popular with people of all ages.

"Within the span of a year, we had put together a topnotch country band," Gardels said. "(Lovato) was the real thing. She was just unbelievably talented."

Lovato was close to achieving her dream of making it in the music business. Gardels said she had started to write her own songs for a second CD at the behest of a music producer.

Although Lovato's dream was cut tragically short, Gardels said he is comforted knowing she did what she loved and got to share her passion for music with so many.

"This was her dream," Gardels said. "The great part is she got to have this experience and that fun and be a normal kid. … She was just the happiest person on earth."

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