Kam Franklin is a woman made of many talents. She is a singer-songwriter, producer, writer, activist, actress, visual artist, poet, performance artist, and the front woman of The Suffers, a Gulf Coast soul band based in Houston. Kam has been singing since she was five years old and began writing her own songs and poems at age 11.

Kam’s singing career progressed dramatically in high school as a result of being in bands, training in symphonic and chamber choirs, church choir, and musical theater. “I was obsessed with learning different genres, performing, and getting better,” she said. “After quitting my job in 2015 to do music full time, I was able to focus even further on my craft. I’ve found that I really like writing with other songwriters, and I especially love brainstorming ways to make the songs better. I truly believe that every day is a new opportunity to get better as a singer and as a writer.”

@Daniel Jackson

Tell us about your band, The Suffers.

We are a Gulf Coast soul band that started in 2011. We quit our day jobs in 2015 to tour full time after we were given an opportunity to play at The Late Show with David Letterman during his final few weeks on the air. We’ve been going strong on this adventure ever since. 

You’ve been on other live television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! We noticed you wore cowboy boots on stage. Tell us what sparked your interest.

At the time, I was wearing cowboy boots on stage every night. As soon as I got my outfit picked out, I knew that I wanted to wear the white Kacey Musgraves Lucchese boots with the fringed golden arrow on the side because they reminded me of the majorette outfits worn by the team at Texas Southern University, my alma mater. These are the boots I wore when I visited the Lucchese store in Houston for a media visit.

@Kimberly Park

How do cowboy boots play a big role in your life?

Cowboy boots are and have always been a part of who I am. I think I got my first pair when I was a year old. When I was allowed to dress myself, it was an everyday selection. I got my first pair of Lucchese boots in 2011 – they’re the ones I’m wearing on our performance at The Late Show with David Letterman. I love boots because they make me feel sexy, strong, and they remind me of home when I’m far away.

Have you continued to emphasize western wear in much of your personal and professional life?

Definitely, when the outfit calls for it. I change it up often, to maintain my own sanity, when it comes to my personal and professional fashion. I also have to customize a lot of my pieces because a lot of the colors in traditional western wear fail to match the desired color palette I like to wear. For example, lots of neon’s, sequin, and Metallics. My favorite cowboy boots currently are actually banana yellow.

What do you feel every day when you put on your Lucchese boots?

I feel like a badass. I mean, is there any other way to feel?

Is there anything you would like to share with your fans?

The Suffers currently has a livestream residency every Saturday night at 8pm (CST) on Facebook until the Covid-19 lockdown ends. Please tune in!

For more information about Kam Franklin and her band, The Suffers, visit www.thesuffers.com or read more about Kam in Texas Monthly.