It has been a long time coming for Kim Massie and her many devoted fans, but the popular St. Louis singer has reached a milestone.
Next week, Massie will release "Inspired," her first album to feature original tunes. An album release party is scheduled for Wednesday night at the Sheldon.
Massie has made her name locally, performing at nearly every venue in town, by putting her special stamp on work by a variety of artists, from Etta James and Gretchen Wilson to Stevie Wonder and Adele.
Her previous releases were mostly live albums of standards and popular tunes, and she previously released a "Kim Massie Sings Aretha" album.
But seven of the 10 songs on "Inspired" are original songs that most fans will be hearing for the first time, including a Diane Warren composition that Massie's producer got his hands on.
"For years, I've been doing everybody else's music," she says. "I'm doing Aretha (Franklin), I'm doing Whitney (Houston), I'm doing Luther (Vandross), all that stuff. "(But) this is me. It's not Kim singing Aretha. It's Kim being Kim."
Massie says releasing her first album with original material helps validates her career.
"I've had a number of inquiries about (why) I'm not doing my own material," she says. "Now I have something. It puts me on the map. I feel really good about that."
She describes the album as "contemporary spiritual," and it runs the gamut of styles, including blues, gospel, R&B, pop and more.
The songs are inspired by her life, her parents and other influential people, as well as reflecting on failed relationships.
"I take it all and put it into a positive place," she says.
Massie has been working on the album with producer Peter Carson since 2003.
She says "Inspired" was made possible thanks to a group of investors who enjoy her music.
"A number of years ago, these people got together and decided they wanted to invest in me," she says. "They thought I deserved a chance. How inspiring is that?"
The original plan was to record the album in Nashville, Tenn., but the idea didn't sit well with Massie.
"In this society, it's hurry up, hurry up," she says. "I hear so many entertainers, and when I listen to their music, they're not moving me because they're reading the songs, not feeling it. Peter said, 'Take your time with this.' He wanted me to really sing these songs."
Massie recorded the album in St. Louis.
"That was one of the big things," she says. "It really took time."
Massie's fans won't have to wait so long for her next project. "Live at the Beale" is ready to go. It actually was supposed to have been out already, but she temporarily shelved it to focus on releasing "Inspired."
Kim Massie, "Inspired"
When 8 p.m. Wednesday • Where The Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Boulevard • How much $25, includes concert and an autographed copy of the album • More info MetroTix
