Still UnDivided

Still UnDivided is formerly known as Sibling Revelry
at Clove Cafe, High Falls, NY
Friday, August 17th, 2001
Story by Kevin Robinson

If we're good parents, one of the things we're supposed to do is know how and
when to push our offspring out of the nest, pass the torch so to speak.
One of the many reasons we always enjoy seeing Hudson Valley
singer/songwriter, Bobby Kennedy perform, is watching him be a good
parent, watching him pass the torch. All of his children, and his wife
Nancy, have shared the stage with him at one time or another, and it's
always a moving experience. But his twin daughters, Samantha and
Kimberly, have taken a special interest in public performance, as
evidenced by the growing maturity and polish they display onstage. What
is equally obvious, is the fact that these two young women have been
spending time in the woodshed...a musicians' colloquialism which refers
to rehearsal time. They're both busy high school students, excel in
athletics, and are most assuredly being pursued by young men their age,
but they are clearly finding the time to learn an extensive play list
and develop a fun/personable stage presence.

We first saw Kimberly and Samantha sing with their dad when they were
probably fourteen years old. Their potential was obvious for all to see;
and even then, their vocal harmonies were engaging.
Now, if I recall correctly, they're pushing seventeen,
and to say that they're coming into their own onstage would
be an understatement. We caught up with the Kennedy clan recently at the
Clove Cafe in High Falls, and their show was simply delightful. Bobby
Kennedy, long known for an extensive play list of soft rock classics and
creative originals, has not only extended his repertoire, but has
deliberately rearranged most, if not all, of it to better showcase his
daughters' talents. I've come to know a fair number of musicians through
the years, and I think it's fair to say that many of them get little
edgy about being up-staged. Bobby Kennedy positively beams. And if
watching the three of them sing "Teach Your Children Well," doesn't make
you smile inside and out, you've got ice in your veins.

One of the other interesting evolutionary components of
Bobby Kennedy & STill UnDivided is to hear
what they've done with some of the originals from their debut CD, "Late
Bloomer." (available at: www.CDBaby.com ) Traditionally, a band's CD is
recorded in something of a hothouse environment. That is, you have
control of everything in the recording studio, and can redo the various
tracks as necessary in order to make the final product as good as
possible. We've enjoyed listening to "Late Bloomer," and have several
favorite tracks, but as Samantha and Kimberly get more comfortable, as
teenage insecurities give way to confidence and playfulness onstage,
many of Kennedy's originals have taken on a richness that is
irresistible. The other night at the Clove Cafe, when they finished
playing "Moonlit Bay," for example, I had to fight the urge not to ask
them to sing it again on the spot!

Are we a little biased? Yes, I think we are. There's just something
about this genuine working-class family, a refreshing realness, that
makes us root just a little bit harder. Seeing how far they've come,
watching as the musical torch is being lovingly passed, we can't help
but wish them well in a business that has very little heart and soul as
a rule. We have become fans. And if you catch their act, I suspect that
you will become a fan too.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kevin Robinson is a freelance writer/photographer, and the author of
three "Stick Foster" hardback mystery novels. A former syndicated
columnist for the Detroit Free Press, his byline has appeared over 100
times in national and regional periodicals. Kevin is a partner at No
Bull Productions, and his PR credits include promotion and booking work
for several of Kansas City's top blues bands. Kevin can be reached at
nobull@NoBullProductions.com. - Kevin Robinson