Josh Kelley to perform at Morton Arboretum

Singer-songwriter Josh Kelley's life is changing at a fast clip these days.

As he puts the finishing touches on his fourth CD, he's moving from Nashville to Los Angeles, where he plans to live with fiance Katherine Heigl, star of TV's "Grey's Anatomy." And before their December wedding, he'll embark on a tour that will take him to the East Coast and the Midwest, including an October stop at Chicago's House of Blues.

But before the tour bus pulls out of his new California driveway, Kelley will make a quick trip to Lisle's Morton Arboretum, where he and his band will perform Saturday on a double bill with Sister Hazel.

As he rolled across the California desert in his truck on a sultry mid-August afternoon, approaching the end of a 2,248-mile trip from Music City, he reflected on his career and his plans.

"I'm driving my studio in my truck all the way to Los Angeles," he said. "I wanted to have some time to think."

First, Kelley said, moving to L.A. won't be that big of an adjustment.

"I've been pretty much living there since 2004 anyway," he said.

That's about when he met Heigl, who plays Dr. Izzy Stevens on the hit TV medical drama and whom he calls Katie.

"We're madly in love. We met on the video shoot for 'Only You' a little over two and a half years ago. She was playing the leading lady role," he said.

Born in Georgia, Kelley said he got into music early.

"My mom taught me how to play the drums when I was 10 or 11 years old," he said, adding that he quickly expanded his repertoire to guitar, dobro and other instruments.

He was at the University of Mississippi, pursuing an art degree, when he first signed a record deal. That deal was precipitated by Kelley's shrewd use of the Internet to promote his work. His sound clips eventually reached the ears of Hollywood Records executive Eric Clinger.

"He said, 'Who is this kid? I love this stuff,'æ" Kelley said. "I got signed because of Napster."

So when Clinger beckoned, Kelley packed up his dorm room and, by 2003, had his first hit with "Amazing," followed by the 2005 success of the hit single, "Only You."

He said his videos continue to be frequently viewed on his MySpace site and on YouTube.

"The Internet is very powerful," he said.

Though Kelley may be best known for his sweet ballads, he also has an edgier, blues-rock side that he believes deserves amplification on a grand scale.

"I want to play stadiums. That's what I want to play," he said. "I want that arena feel."

For now, though, his schedule calls for venues that seat 1,000 to 2,000 fans.

Kelley said he has a mix of older hits and new material ready for his arboretum play list.

His new record, "Special Company," inspired by his relationship with Heigl, is due out either this fall or early in 2008, he said.

"I'm really trying to take my time here," he said. "I want it to be perfect."

The arboretum concert begins with Kelley and his band at 6 p.m., followed by a performance by Sister Hazel.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Concert-goers may bring blankets to spread on the grass, camp chairs and food but no alcohol. Beer, wine, soft drinks and food will be for sale, arboretum spokesman Marty Cusack said.

Tickets are $28 in advance for nonmembers, $23 for members, and $32 at the gate.

If you go

What: Josh Kelley and Sister Hazel in concert

Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Tickets: $23 to $28 in advance, $32 at the gate

Info: (630) 725-2006, mortonarb.org or joshkelley.com