Cris Kelly
Portland, Oregon, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
How refreshing to hear traditional folk-style music done so well! This is very impressive songwriting: compact and catchy melodic structure & vivid poetic lyrics. The title is memorable. The overall songwriting is highly effective....You definitely have outstanding talent. - Great American Song Contest
"Ashland's Cris Kelly embodies the heart of Americana with his rich vocals and toe-tapping guitar..." - First Street Cafe, Benicia, CA
"Great sense of poetry and rhythm." - Tom May
Discography
October Wind - 1999
Here Comes April - 2002
Common Sense - 2002
False Passage - 2008
Live In This World - 2010
Photos
Bio
Growing up amidst the lakes and cornfields of Minnesota, Cris Kelly grew up on late night games of Scrabble and Cribbage while listening to Jim Croce, Harry Chapin and A Prairie Home Companion.
Cris' award-winning song "The Girl From Ketchikan" (Great American Song Contest 2010), was featured during his appearance on River City Folk (NPR) with Tom May. His 6-piece americana band, One Horse Shy, was voted "Best Band" in southern Oregon 2009 (Mail Tribune), was musical guest on West Coast Live (NPR) in 2009 and was a featured band at both the Wintergrass Bluegrass Festival and the Sisters Folk Festival in 2010. He has opened for Clint Black, Joe Nicols, and other prominent acts.
Strongly influenced by the sound of James McMurtry, the songwriting of Dolly Parton, and the storytelling of Cat Stevens, Cris’ solo performances showcase a wide variety of musical flavor. Fingerpicking, flatpicking, slide guitar, percussive right-hand technique, and textured ornamentals accompany a strong voice and lyrical imagery.
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