Photo by Nathan Gray

Country musician and Anderson County native Casey Joe takes a solo as his band performed before Lonestar took the stage at the Civic Center on Sunday night.

LAVONIA — Anderson’s own country singer Casey Joe Kelly is experiencing a few changes in his life at the moment.

He’s being sought after for shows. He’s putting together his first album. And rather than commuting along Clemson Boulevard everyday, this budding musician is taking the trek from Anderson to a Nashville recording studio.

As this is being written, Kelly, who has played at Anderson’s Great Southeast BalloonFest and coordinated his own Christmas concert last year at the Civic Center of Anderson, is laying down tracks for his first CD. He’s been working in Nashville for the past week, playing, singing and singing some more in an effort to take the next step in a promising music career.

“I’ve been working my butt off,” Kelly said in a phone interview from the Nashville studio. “I’m trying my best to get this thing going.”

There is no timeframe on release of the album. He is recording it independently while shopping for a label. Until then, Kelly will split his time between Nashville, Anderson and doing local and regional gigs.

One of those comes tonight in Lavonia, Ga., when he plays for an Autism Benefit in the city’s downtown.

“It was such an honor just to be thought of for something like this,” he said. “There is nothing better than knowing you were able to help just a little bit.”

The Autism Benefit is at 7 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown Lavonia. Admission is free and open to the public; donations will be accepted to help those with autism. There will also be auction items and Casey Joe merchandise available. Lawn chairs are suggested.