Jo Kelly Stephenson
Antioch, Tennessee, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"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".
- S. Sorrenson
"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". - Jeff Jenkins
"A brilliant album. Our Sunday arvo presenter of the show "A Little Bit Country" loves the album and plays it in her program”.
- Joanne McGinnis, 8CCC FM 102.1
“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.”
- Bob Tissott, 2NIM FM 102.3
"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”
- Tony Bates, 3CH 100.7
”Love the CD "I See Flowers, You See Cars". A very beautiful voice.”
- Paul Bird, OPAL FM 89.7
"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’. - Salty Dog - Port Douglas FM 107.1
“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”. - July/August 2008
"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". - David Fannon
"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". - Steve Meyers - 3RPP 98.7 & 98.3 FM
Discography
I See Flowers, You See Cars
Photos
Bio
"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's song 'New Morning' has just been placed in upcoming German film 'Girl On A Bicycle' - out in cinemas 2013. Thanks Crucial Music!
*** Jo Kelly's songs have appeared 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'. Shows & film have so far aired in America, Canada, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Australia & more.
*** Jo Kelly signs to Crucial Music Publishing, Los Angeles.
*** 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 reaches top 5 for 'Alt. Country Song Of The Year - Independent Music Awards (IMAs), USA: http://www.musiciansatlas.com/imafinalist/default.aspx.
*** Jo Kelly appears in Capital News, Tamworth's Country Music News, Australia.
*** Jo Kelly listed in TAXI A&Rs top 20 favorite artists.
*** WINNER OF THE ASA 'RUDY BRANDSMA AWARD'.
This year's Australian Songwriter's Association's 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: 'Alternative Country Album Of The Year' - US 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 received airplay on several stations throughout Australia including Triple J, Mix FM and ABC Radio National. Her music has appeared on over 200 radio stations worldwide.
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
Publisher: Crucial Music Publishing, LA (specific works)
Label: Back Pocket Records
Australian Distribution: Sound Vault
Available on iTunes
Band Members
Links
