The Belles are an award winning mother-daughter, singer-songwriter duo led by 19-year-old Kelli Jones, Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2017 Rocky Mountain CMAs. No strangers to touring, The Belles have opened for Brett Eldredge, Old Dominion, Dan+Shay, Eli Young Band and many more. They have played such stages as CMAFest, Country Stampede, Tumbleweed, Song Suffragettes, and many others. On their brand new self-titled EP, The Belles enlisted the help of award-winning Nashville producer, Mickey Jack Cones, whose most recent works include Dustin Lynch and Walker McGuire. With a sound that is reminiscent of the Dixie Chicks, Kelli and Jaymie mix melodic harmonies with a high energy live show that is sure to keep the crowd on its feet. We had the opportunity to talk with the lovely Belles about their favorite recipes!
Who is the bigger foodie between you to?
Kelli: I’m probably the bigger foodie. I love to go out and try new restaurants and new foods. I also am starting to learn how to cook more recipes in my apartment in Nashville.
Jaymie: I think Kelli as well. She loves to try new restaurants! I’m more of a homebody and when we’re traveling, it’s often a lot of fast food, so I really enjoy cooking for us as a home-cooked meal always tastes so good.
Was music ever a part of family gatherings or dinners?
Kelli: Music is always a part of our family gatherings. I come from a very musical family. My grandma was a jazz singer, and my mom and my aunts made up the singing group, Mulberry Lane, that was signed to MCA Records in 2000. There are also a few of my cousins who play instruments and sing as well. My younger brother, who is 14, is a great young drummer. Music is everywhere in my family!! One family tradition is on Christmas Eve our whole extended family gets together for dinner (lasagna), and then everyone sings songs, plays instruments, reads poems, just everyone celebrates and has a great time. Christmas is my favorite!
Jaymie: Yes! Exactly what Kelli said!
What's your favorite family recipe?
Kelli: I think my favorite family recipe is my mom’s pot roast. It’s really tender with a lot of vegetable, and it tastes like home.
Jaymie: My favorite family recipe is my great Aunt Christie’s sugar cookie recipe. This is a secret family recipe that creates really thin and crispy sugar cookies, and I love them so much!
If you could be on a reality cooking show, what would it be?
Kelli: I’d like to be on Chopped because it’s creative and high pressure! I think I thrive on those two things!
Jaymie: I would love to be on Pioneer Woman. I love Ree Drummond and her recipes are amazing! I’d just love to hang out with her and learn!
What is something every kitchen be stocked with?
Kelli: One thing my mom has taught me about cooking is that PAM cooking spray is a must. Although, this is something that I forget to use all of the time. But, I’m working on that
Jaymie: Being half Italian, I love to use garlic when I cook. I think every kitchen should have a garlic press, which allows you to crush fresh garlic cloves, for use in so many recipes, and fresh garlic always tastes so good!
Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why?
Kelli: It’s a tough call between Starbucks, Red Bull, and the Beef Jerky Outlet. I think I would choose the Beef Jerky Outlet because they have the best Beef Jerky, but they don’t have any stores in Nebraska or Tennessee. Beef jerky is a staple in my diet when traveling. I often make my mom and band stop at the Beef Jerky Outlets in Kansas City and Colorado to stock up. So, it would be amazing to have an endless supply.
Jaymie: I’d love to be sponsored by Gatorade! Every show I take a Gatorade on stage with me, and especially in the hot summer heat it keeps my energy up. My favorite flavor was lemon/lime, but pineapple/mango is my new favorite!
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