Between the shimmering lips blending into her creamy complexion and the blonde locks cascading over a slick leather jacket, Katelyn Clampett looks as smooth as she moves: The 22-year-old Southern girl knows how to hold a microphone, cradle an electric guitar, or caress the keys of a piano with just the right amount of affectation.

That said, her voice is the smoothest thing about her. When she opens her mouth, high and low notes alike drip out like honey off a spoon. Her latest single, “Sweet Tea,” has quickly become her signature piece, as it displays the purity of her voice perfectly with its sugary, catchy soft pop feel. Darker, more angsty numbers like “All Over Again,” however, might reveal her talent more, as they show her voice remaining absolutely slippery even as she jerks it for dramatic effect.

A native of North Carolina who recently moved to Los Angeles, Clampett comes to Carmel Music Live for the U.S. Open – the daughter of professional golfer and Monterey native Bobby Clampett, she has certain connections to this region and to golf.

Her melodies have been featured on the CBS show “From Airways to Fairways,” and she recently appeared as a contestant on Season 9 of American Idol. A prolific composer, she also writes songs for various other artists, including Idol contestant Justin Williams and NeedtoBreathe’s Seth Bolt.

“If I like a song that I hear on the radio, I learn it,” Clampett says. “I take it apart, disassemble it and figure out what makes it great. I think that having such a detailed analysis of pop songs gives me a better insight into great song writing.”

This deep understanding of pop is probably part of what makes her songs so familiar – and infectious.

KATELYN CLAMPETT plays 7:30-9:30pm Friday, June 18, at Carmel Music Live, above Carmel Music Studio, near Bahama Billy’s at The Barnyard in Carmel. $25. 624-2217.