Jo Kelly Stephenson

Artist Information

Biography

"Otis Redding meets Cyndi Lauper in the country", Anthony J. Resta (Producer: Duran Duran, Elton John, Blondie and more).

Jo Kelly's debut "heralds the arrival of someone with the potential to blaze a trail far beyond home territory”, Performing Songwriter Magazine.

NEWS! ******************************

*** Jo Kelly has had songs placed on several US TV shows including A&E's 'The Glades', ABC's 'Switched At Birth', TNT's 'Rizzoli & Isles' & US indie film 'Alone'. She has also written & performed the theme music for NY online TV show 'Cooking For Bachelors'.

*** Jo Kelly signs to Crucial Music Publishing, Los Angeles.

*** Jo Kelly showcases at Jay Street Bar, Brooklyn, NY to a full house during CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival

*** J.K.S takes out 2nd place in the Billboard World Song Contest, R&B Blues Category: www.billboardsongcontest.com.

*** Jo Kelly reaches the finals in the APRA Professional Development Awards: http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/news/allnews/2009PDAsFinalistsAnnounced!.aspx.

*** Jo Kelly 1 of 5 finalists in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards, USA - Alt. Country Category. Link: http://www.musiciansatlas.com/imafinalist/default.aspx.

*** Check out the October issue of Capital News, Tamworth's Country Music News, AUS. Jo Kelly received a favourable review in this issue.

*** Jo Kelly listed in TAXI A&Rs 'Favourites'.

*** WINNER OF THE 2008 ASA 'RUDY BRANDSMA AWARD'.
This year's ASA industry awards night in Sydney saw one of the major contest prizes go to Jo Kelly Stephenson. This highly coveted prize is given to one writer each year in honour of the late co-founder of the ASA, Rudy Brandsma. Jo Kelly received a solid silver trophy & guitar, then performed in front of industry professionals at the prestigious event. The event was filmed and televised. Jo Kelly also got a 3rd place in the Country category and 3rd place in the International category this year. For more details: www.asai.org.au

*** WINNER: US 7th ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS Vox Populi.
After being nominated by a panel of respected judges, including internationally acclaimed songwriters, the people have voted & chosen: Jo Kelly Stephenson, 'I See Flowers, You See Cars' ALT. COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR! View the results at: www.musiciansatlas.com/epk/imabuzzvoxpopulispecial.html


BIO ******************************

Jo Kelly Stephenson's debut album 'I See Flowers, You See Cars' has won numerous awards including 'Alt. Country Album of the Year - Vox Populi' in the US Independent Music Awards (IMA)'. She recently took out a Major prize in Australia's largest song contest, ‘The ASA 28th Annual Australian Songwriting Competition’. She performed at the industry awards night which was televised across Australia. Jo Kelly was also awarded 2nd place in the Billboard World Song Contest R&B / Blues category and reached the top 5 for the IMAs Alt. Country Song of the year.

Jo Kelly has toured and played at top music venues and festivals throughout Australia, including Australia's historic international venue, The Palais Theatre. She showcased at Michael Chugg's 'Australian Music Week', with an average attendance of 300,000 people and completed a BA Music (With Distinction). Her independent release has sold more than 1000 copies so far and has received airplay on several stations throughout Australia including Triple J, Mix FM and ABC Radio National. Her music is currently being played on over 150 radio stations worldwide. Jo Kelly completed a short US tour in late 2009.

Other performance highlights: Woodford Folk Festival, St Kilda Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, High Vibes, The Metro (Sydney), ABC Studios, The Corner Hotel, The Esplanade Hotel and The Village Festival (QLD).

Jo Kelly currently seeks international publishing opportunities.

Official Website: www.jokellystephenson.com
Not so official website: www.myspace.com/jokellystephenson

ABC Music Publishing / Back Pocket Records

Instrumentation

Jo Kelly Stephenson: Vocals, Guitar, Melodion, Keyboard
Ken Stephenson: Vocals, Lap Steel, Dobro, Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Pedal Steel
James Ferguson: Vocals, Piano
Andrew Ferguson: Drums, Percussion
Jesse Myers: Bass

Discography

I See Flowers, You See Cars

Links

• MySpace

Audio

• I'll Be True To You
  Listen  
• Perfect Chance
  Listen  
• Slip Away
  Listen  
• I Was Wrong & You Were Right
  Listen  
• Deep End
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Perfect Chance
• Hey There Mama
• Deep End
• Nothing When He Said Goodbye
• Cool River (In Your Eyes)
• Fruitless Love
• Slip Away
• The Damage Has Been Done

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Performing Songwriter Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  “The distinctive vocal stylings and songwriting dexterity set her apart. I See Flowers heralds the a...“The distinctive vocal stylings and songwriting dexterity set her apart. I See Flowers heralds the arrival of someone with the potential to blaze a trail far beyond home territory”.

• JB Hi Fi Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "Jo Kelly Stephenson's debut album is a rootsy delight. Her brand of bluesy country deserves compari..."Jo Kelly Stephenson's debut album is a rootsy delight. Her brand of bluesy country deserves comparisons to Shawn Colvin. The songs are strong and her voice sounds wonderfully fresh. She's surrounded herself with some great players, Mike Rudd adds some of his brilliantly distinctive harmonica to the mix, while his Spectrum buddy Bill Putt pops up playing bass. With artists such as Jo Kelly Stephenson, Australian roots music is in good hands".

• Beyond The Groove [+ Show ]
  

  "It's sultry, it's old, it's new, it's eclectic. In a time when a lot of albums do have a sort of sa..."It's sultry, it's old, it's new, it's eclectic. In a time when a lot of albums do have a sort of sameness from track to track, this album is a refreshing change, which embraces the listener and rewards all the way through to the very end".

• Salty Dog Blues and Roots Show [+ Show ]
  

  "I’m in the outback. I’m driving a four wheel drive. I’ve got dust in the ears...and that’s for sure..."I’m in the outback. I’m driving a four wheel drive. I’ve got dust in the ears...and that’s for sure”. Salty Dog on ‘Deep End’ from ‘I See Flowers, You See Cars’.

• Rave Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "Jo Kelly Stephenson has proven to be quite the accomplished live performer. Her roots, folk and blu..."Jo Kelly Stephenson has proven to be quite the accomplished live performer. Her roots, folk and blues inspired music translates just as well to CD on her debut album".

• Upfront, Outback Radio, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek [+ Show ]
  

  "A brilliant album. Our Sunday arvo presenter of the show "A Little Bit Country" loves the album and..."A brilliant album. Our Sunday arvo presenter of the show "A Little Bit Country" loves the album and plays it in her program”.
  
  
  
  
  

• Northern Rivers Echo News [+ Show ]
  

  "She plays guitar, tickles the ivories, writes songs that can make grown men weep and sings like the..."She plays guitar, tickles the ivories, writes songs that can make grown men weep and sings like the Melbourne based angel she is. Coming from a musical family and having spent her childhood hanging around amplifiers and set lists, Jo Kelly's career has hit a high with the release of her album I See Flowers, You See Cars".
  
  
  

• Nimbin Radio [+ Show ]
  

  “We've been playing Jo Kelly's Album since it arrived. Presenters have commented on the overall qual...“We've been playing Jo Kelly's Album since it arrived. Presenters have commented on the overall quality of the CD and it has been received well by our listeners. It continues to reside in the rack in the studio for Recent Releases Worth Playing Twice. I love the CD, particularly Cool River.”
  
  

• Highlands FM [+ Show ]
  

  "This is an album that we have all enjoyed at 100.7 Highlands FM. Great voice, sound, production and..."This is an album that we have all enjoyed at 100.7 Highlands FM. Great voice, sound, production and writing skills. An album for all to listen to”
  
  

• Lightning Ridge Radio
  

  ”Love the CD "I See Flowers, You See Cars". A very beautiful voice.”

Setlist

Can perform solo, duo or with a 5 piece band.

Up to three sets of original music comprising of material from the album and other tunes.

Can also perform covers - Country, Blues, Jazz and Popular standard repertoire.

Will provide support act if required.

Basic Requirements

Calendar