By Kate Bartlett
Cami Clune is a local singer and songwriter from Amherst, NY, who gained national attention as a semi-finalist on Season 19 of NBCs The Voice. Cami is best known for her powerful, angelic voice and undeniable stage presence. Cami draws inspiration from a variety of genres and her sound is timeless yet contemporary. She infuses each song she sings and writes with meaningful storytelling powered by her passion for performance. Cami has performed as a featured vocalist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, sung the national anthem for various organizations (including the NFL and NHL) and performs at various venues across Western NY as a solo artist or with her band The Fringe.
Cami began performing at the age of 4 in dance class and began singing at the age of 11. Her family instilled a love for music at a young age. Her garage was never a garage for cars. Instead it was a music room/karaoke club with records lining the walls, where friends and family gathered for fun. They had almost every instrument, with her father primarily playing guitar. She had always loved music, but it was not until her dance teacher, Sam Smith, from “Sam Smith School of Dance” in Tonawanda, told her mom to enroll her in a theatre camp, that she discovered her voice. Sam said that Cami was very expressive and theatrical with her dancing and thought that she would thrive in acting. She was right.
Ever since that first theatre camp, Cami fell completely in love with acting and singing. She practically lived at the “Academy of Theatre Arts” in Williamsville through her teen years. Attending Christian Central Academy in Williamsville, she also sang daily in their praise ensemble and won the local Christian “Joyful Noise” competition at the age of 13. “I’ve loved all different genres of music for as long as I can remember,” says Cami. “When I was growing up, my dream was to be on Broadway. While my focus has primarily shifted to pursuing a solo music career, Broadway will always be my foundation and hold a special place in my heart.”
Gaining inspiration from various types of music, Cami began songwriting at the age of 17. “I love pop, rock, country – really all types of music,” says Cami. “I love how songs have the ability to tell stories and touch the heart in such a meaningful way.”
Cami was cast on Season 19 of The Voice at age 20 after trying out for the show for 4 consecutive seasons. The show actually first approached her in 2017 after finding her singing videos on YouTube, but it turned out that the timing was not quite right at that moment. This is a true testament to never give up on your goals and keep trying for what you want. “I was always a big fan of The Voice and visualized myself being on that stage someday. I had this drive, something that I couldn’t ignore. I knew it was such a unique opportunity and could be critical in jump-starting my career as an artist.” While she was in LA for the show, she felt energized and inspired by everyone she met during the process. “The energy was just contagious. We all had similar goals and a shared passion for performing. Everyone had their own style and came from all walks of life from all over the world with so much talent; it was so inspirational.”
In her blind audition, Cami received a 4-chair turn with a block and chose John Legend as her coach, but ultimately landed a spot on Kelly Clarkson’s team. Kelly used her only “artist save” to advance Cami into the semi-finals. Her experience on the show granted valuable insights from the panel of judges, ultimately helping shape her style and advance her career. “I’m incredibly grateful for my time on the show. It was a crucible in my career,” says Cami. “The judges were so down to earth and had a lot of amazing advice to share.”
After her journey on The Voice, Cami took a break from singing and songwriting for about a year while she struggled with health issues. Cami was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome when she was 18, and struggled with related health issues after her time on The Voice. This connective tissue disease affects her whole body, but most prominently her joints and digestive system. The syndrome affects each patient differently. Cami is dedicated to raising awareness and supports ongoing research for this condition. She serves as a role model for others facing hardship.
Cami encourages anyone struggling to not give up in the face of adversity. “Trust me, I know how difficult it can be to live with a chronic condition. Try your best to focus on the positives in your life and practice gratitude. Keep working towards your goals and don’t let your situation define you. Living with a chronic condition can be debilitating, but please never let it consume you. You are more than your illness. Don’t give up on your goals, and keep fighting. It is so important to have a good support system, prioritize your health, and take it one day at a time.”
In 2023, Cami formed Cami and The Fringe, a 5-piece band she performs with and brings her artistic vision to life. She is currently playing with The Fringe, as well as performing solo shows, at various venues across Western NY. Cami and The Fringe recently launched a project called the “Taylor Swift Experience.” This show takes the crowd along on a journey through Taylor Swift’s “Eras,” modeled directly off of Taylor’s, The Eras Tour. “Taylor Swift has always been a huge inspiration to me; I highly respect her as an artist and performer,” says Cami. “She is an extremely talented performer and songwriter. She is first and foremost a storyteller, and that is what I strive to be. She isn’t afraid to be authentic. The show we put on is super fun and high energy with costume changes and fun transitions; It’s a great time.”
Recently, Cami has been collaborating with artist Grabbitz to produce an original EP to be released in Spring 2024. A few years ago, she released two studio covers of songs that she performed on The Voice – “Skinny Love” and “I Put a Spell on You.” She also released two original singles “Old at 20” and “PARASITE” which are available to stream on all platforms. She is so excited to share what she has been working on.
Cami encourages aspiring artists to follow their passions and stay true to themselves. “Don’t compare your journey to others’; it’s your story. Be authentic to yourself and enjoy the process. Believe in yourself.”
For more information and upcoming events visit camiclune.com and follow on social media.