State Troubadour Sings for CT Governor

Pictured: Kristen Graves and her guitar next to Governor Dannel Malloy with members of his staff

Photo courtesy of Kristen Graves

Kristen Graves has been a singer/songwriter for a very long time. She is a piano teacher and a humanitarian through her volunteer work with the nonprofit Simply Smiles. Since 2013 she has served as the CT State Troubador, an honorary position, established in 1991 by the Connecticut General Assembly. And on Thursday, Ms. Graves had the chance to sing for the governor of the state that she serves as an ambassador of music and song that encourages cultural literacy while promoting the state of CT.

Ms. Graves performed some of her original compositions including her politically themed “Dear Mister.” She performs on guitar and piano at a wide variety of venues around the country. My favorite one of her songs is a pop tune called ”Montreal,” but all of the folk songs are just as good.

On her website, the young performer describes herself in this way:

Kristen Graves is a folk/pop singer, songwriter and humanitarian. Mentioned by both Rolling Stone and the New York Times for her musicianship and activism, she has shared stages with Pete Seeger, Peter Yarrow, Rusted Root, Holly Near, Dar Williams, Guy Davis, Dan Zanes, David Amram and many more. Her latest album “Now Ain’t the Time for Tears” is available on iTunes.

Ms. Graves is also the founder of a Just Be Nice campaign, her “Official Faux Political Party,” which has it’s own page on her website. She is married to the founder of Simply Smiles, Naugatuck native Bryan Nurnberger.

The CT State Troubadour was at some points an annual position, but is since 1999 has become a two-year appointment; as of 2005 it carries a $5,000 total stipend. The responsibilities of the position include performing at least three events at the request of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, promoting the state in song, and serving on panels to select future state troubadours.