Kristen Graves is a singer/songwriter and humanitarian from Fairfield, CT, serving as the current Connecticut State Troubadour. With catchy songs, funny stories and inspiring lyrics, Kristen performs approximately 175 shows a year throughout the country. Her most notable performances have been with David Amram and Pete Seeger. She has four albums, as well as a Christmas CD and two EPs to her credit. Her newest release, 'Now Ain't the Time for Tears', came out on June 14, 2014. In addition to a rigorous performing schedule, Kristen makes sure to focus time on humanitarian efforts through different organizations. 'In 2001, I took a trip to a children's home in Mexico to volunteer for a week. The kids that I met there, and the things I experienced in seven short days changed the entire course of my life.' Currently, Kristen spends about three months of her year volunteering with Simply Smiles, a Connecticut-based charity run by her husband, Bryan Nurnberger. 'I play benefit concerts whenever I can. I have a few non-profits that I'm really passionate about and to me, the combination of arts and service makes perfect sense.' Kristen also has a political passion. 'During the 2012 election things got so mean and nasty. I thought it would be funny to start my own political party called the Just Be Nice Party. I'd mention it at shows as a joke, and people started asking if they could join!' Kristen now has a website for the Just Be Nice Party. It's a page that lists small non-profits that take on a variety of social issues. And she's determined to grow the party during the next two years. 'During my time as the State Troubadour, I want to take the opportunity to encourage artists of all ages to not only make great art, but take things a step further outside of themselves and use that art to inspire change.' Kristen shares this message at her shows, and has brought the Just Be Nice to community centers, schools and libraries - always reminding people that there is always something we can do. 'When we all do our part to use our talents and make the world a better place, beautiful things happen.' ----- 'There's always room for Kristen [Graves] on Better CT! There are very few people that come on stage with just a guitar and sing, no back-up, no nothing, just an amazing voice; Kristen Graves is that gifted performer.' - Scot Haney, Host of Better Connecticut "It's easy to connect to the music of Kristen Graves. By listening to it, engaging with it, we feel part of something bigger." - Vanessa Malone, Women in the World, NYC.