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Bluegrass Beckons When Irene Kelley Shares An Exclusive Interview With My Backstage Pass
Manage episode 422606190 series 3337817
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Irene Kelley’s love of music has been imbued in her memory practically from the very beginning. She became wholly entranced by it while hearing it for the first time in her dad’s basement TV repair workshop as a young girl. After hearing it around the house, the music became so imbued in her that she began writing music early on and joined her first band at the age of 15.
In 1981, she made her big career leap when she was invited to join the bluegrass band Redwing as lead singer. She soon found herself performing at any number of major festivals and gaining major traction in the process. Her move to Nashville in 1984 added increased momentum and she was soon signed to MCA Nashville for whom she recorded her first album which also featured an all-star line-up in the persons of Sam Bush, Carl Jackson and Mark O’Connor. She also found success as a songwriter, penning songs for the likes Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White, Loretta Lynn and Trisha Yearwood.
Nevertheless, despite her accomplishments, her devotion to the basics of bluegrass remained first and foremost. With early influences that include Jean Ritchie, Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, Rodney Crowell, Pete Goble, Greg Allman, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn.These days, Irene is carrying the torch forward, not only through her own efforts, but that of her daughters as well, all of whom joined her for her recent holiday LP Kelley Family Christmas.
My Backstage Pass recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Kelley in a sit-down face to face interview which found her sharing her musical journey and her fervent belief in bluegrass past and present. Learn more about Irene Kelley at https://www.irenekelley.com
Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.
Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released on Spectra Records 10/2023 on all major outlets! Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass
My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com
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