As an up-and-coming voice of soulful country music and popular cover songs, it is difficult to believe Cam Kline was terrified of singing up until the age of 15.
Two years later, he has taken Cayman by storm with his variety of music including rock-pop performances, and has been compared to American country music singer/songwriter Zach Bryan (which Cam says is a favourite compliment).
“Zach’s music is just so cool and enjoyable to not only listen to, but play, and it happens to fit the vibe here on the island really well,” he says.
Although still at high school, Cam has been a professional musician for the past year, with a steely determination to make music his career. He credits other musicians on-island for teaching and encouraging him, going on to become firm friends with them.
As well as performing in a variety of genres, Cam plays a number of instruments, having started learning the piano at five-years old and being given his first guitar and lessons as his 10th birthday present.
“I play pretty much every version of a guitar: bass, acoustic, electric, uke, banjo, etc.,” he says. “I also play the drums and had to suffer through my middle school band years playing trumpet and tenor sax.” He also DJs around island, describing himself as a tech house and techno nerd.
ECLECTIC MIX
With his eclectic mix of music, Cam can be found entertaining at venues in Cayman, such as the White Whale, Driftwood Bar, the Holiday Inn, Bàcaro and in the lobby or poolside at The Westin hotel.
“It’s honestly quite a mix but I’d say mainly alternative, ‘80s-to-2000s rock pop, and I do quite a lot of country stuff as well,” he says. “I cover songs from bands like Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls, Snow Patrol, Arctic Monkeys, Hootie and The Blowfish, Coldplay and too many others to list.”
Cam has also had a stint of eight days in Orlando where he did two, and sometimes three gigs a day at some of the best bars, restaurants and hotels in the area.
“I could definitely see myself going back and doing that again, and there’s a large possibility that I will,” he says. “I’ve also played at a few open mic nights in other places like small towns in Colorado and Florida.”
As well as live music sessions, he also DJs at events such as bat and bar mitzvahs, milestone birthdays, party events, corporate events, and happy hours at restaurants.
Cam has plans in the works for writing and performing his own songs, and in the meantime enjoys entertaining people with songs they want to hear.
“I just love seeing the joy on people’s faces,” he says. “I like to play songs that people forgot they loved. When I start playing a song like that and I see families light up and start singing along to it, to me there’s just no better feeling. It’s a massive motivator for me.”
This article originally appeared in What’s Hot Winter 2023/2024 issue.
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