The Kennedys (band)

The Kennedys
Background information
Also known as Pete and Maura Kennedy
Origin New York, United States
Genres Folk-pop
Instruments Vocals
Guitar
Electric sitar
Ukulele
Years active 1994–present
Labels The Kennedys, LLC
Appleseed Recording
Varèse Sarabande
Rounder Records
Jiffyjam Records
Green Linnet
Philo
Associated acts Maura Kennedy
Nanci Griffith
The Strangelings
The Snacks
The Stringbusters
Website kennedysmusic.com
Members Pete Kennedy
Maura Kennedy

The Kennedys are an American folk-rock band, consisting of husband and wife Pete and Maura Kennedy. They are recognized for their harmonies and instrumental prowess, blending elements of country music, bluegrass, Western swing and janglepop.

Biography

They met in Austin, Texas in 1992, when Pete Kennedy was playing in Nanci Griffith's band. For their first date, they each drove 500 miles to meet at Buddy Holly's grave in Lubbock, Texas.[1]

Soon, Maura Kennedy (née Maura Boudreau) joined Griffith's band as a harmony singer, and the Maura and Pete began their career as a duo when they opened for Griffth during her Ireland tour.[2]

Pete is from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Maura grew up in Syracuse, New York. They lived for many years living in the East Village in New York City, and in 2006 they joined other folk musicians living in Northampton, Massachusetts. They then returned to the East Village in 2008.

Recordings

Their first album, River of Fallen Stars, was released under the name "Pete and Maura Kennedy"; they released all subsequent albums as "The Kennedys".

Their 1998 album Angel Fire featured many songs with literary references, such as "A Letter To Emily" and "Just Like Henry David".

Performing and Touring

When performing live, Pete plays the acoustic guitar, electric sitar, bass and ukulele, while Maura plays acoustic and electric guitars and uke.

They have performed in clubs and theatres throughout the United States, on a cruise, and at Bill Clinton's first and second inaugurations.

Other projects

In late 2006,[3] Pete and Maura joined with Chris and Meredith Thompson to form The Strangelings, a folk-rock band prominently featuring Pete's electric sitar. Their first performance was on January 12, 2007. The music includes songs by both the Kennedys and the Thompsons in addition to traditional songs and covers. The current full lineup of The Strangelings includes Pete, Maura, Chris Thompson, Eric Lee on fiddle, Cheryl Prashker on percussion, and Ken Anderson and Rebecca Hall, also known as Hungrytown.

Influences

Discography

As the Kennedys

As The Stringbusters

As The Snacks

Pete Kennedy solo recordings

Maura Kennedy solo albums

With The Strangelings

As producers

As primary artist/song contributor

References

  1. ↑ Vinnicombe, Chris (12 November 2014). "Pete Kennedy talks Teles, Chet and rare Gibsons". musicradar. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 Albrizio, Lianna (6 February 2014). "A true rock ’n’ roll love story". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "The Kennedys' E-Newsletter Message". Smoe.org. December 30, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-26.
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