Recording sessions conclude on Kelley's new release
Nearly three weeks of recording sessions at Nashville's Rendering Plant studio have wrapped yielding a wealth of new material destined for Kelley's upcoming new release.
An all-star cadre of musicians gathered with Kelley around what she feels is the best collection songs she has ever had to work with so far in her recording career.
"I've been writing and collecting music for this project for several years. And along with this new material we've even reached back in the catalog for a few things that have been waiting for just the right time. I couldn't be more pleased at how these sessions went down - silky smooth, actually," Kelley said.
Stay tuned for more information about the new release as it becomes available. It's scheduled to be mastered within the next few weeks with a release date planned for either late 2010 or very early 2011. Advanced ordering may be made available.
"Bunker Hill" screens at Hoboken Film Festival, NY Post running trailer
"The Battle for Bunker Hill", celebrated idie filmmaker Kevin Willmott's sci-fi political thriller that Kelley co-scored (she also has a small onscreen role and performs the closing-credits title song "Mountain to Move") is currently screening at the Hoboken Film Festival.
The New York Post is running a trailer online for "Bunker". HAVE A LOOK
The film is coming off a successful April screening at the Atlanta Film Festival.
Get ready to ship out with Kelley and an all-star lineup on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Oct. 17-24
It's a floating roots music festival, it's a week-long cruising throwdown of continuous shipboard concert performances by Kelley and a lineup of names like Irma Thomas, Los Lobos, Elvin Bishop's Raisin' Hell Revue, Tommy Castro, Marcia Ball and many more. It's the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise 2010 sailing from San Diego for ports of call Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas & Mazatlan on Holland America's intimate MS Zaandam.
Reserve your cabin today - for more info go to bluescruise.com or call 888-BLUESIN. When you make your reservation be sure to say Kelley sent you.
Kelley and West Side Folk host benefit concert for singer/songwriter Cindy Novelo Sat. May 8
Joining Kelley on this show is special guest Ashley Davis a talented Celtic/Traditional singer/songwriter just returned to her native Kansas after receiving an M.A. in Irish Music at The University of Limerick and spending time collaborating with New York's elite musicians and performers of the genre. A who's who of upper-echelon Celtic music names appear on her newest release "Down By the Sea".
Cindy, a talented writer and violin/viola instrumentalist and good friend is battling cancer and has been unable to work for months. We hear the prognosis is good but it will be months more until Cindy is able to generate income again and the bills are piling up. ALL proceeds from this evening will go directly to Cindy to help her bridge the financial gap created by the illness.
Get advance tickets online at westsidefolk.org, at Mass Street Music 14th and Massachusetts in Lawrence 785.843.3535 and at Unity Church of Lawrence 900 Madeline 785.841.1447.
A portion of proceeds from the sale of the artists' merchandise at the show and all refreshment revenue will also go to Cindy at this concert. Copies of her acclaimed new CD "Stones Throw" will also be on sale that evening. For more about Cindy go to: myspace.com/cindynovelo.
5th annual Brave Voice workshops May 9-14, 2010 - a few slots still open
For the 5th consecutive year Kelley and celebrated poet/writer and Kansas Poet Laureate Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg will host the BRAVE VOICE - "Writing and Singing For Your Life" retreat and workshops May 9-14 at White Memorial Camp in the heart of Kansas' Flint Hills. Once again participants from all over the country (and other countries) of all ages and levels of experience and ambition - from those simply interested in exploring their powers of expression for personal benefit to writers and songwriters with professional accomplishments and aspirations - will gather for this exceptional workshops experience. Enrollment is intentionally limited in number but there are still a few slots left for this year's event.
To explore further, read testimonials from participants, get details about the workshops and retreat and register online go to bravevoice.com.
"Battle for Bunker Hill" to screen at Atlanta Film Festival April 17, 20
Acclaimed indie filmmaker Kevin Willmott's "The Battle for Bunker Hill" starring James McDaniel, Laura Kirk, Kevin Geer, Saeed Jaffrey and Blake Robbins, which Kelley co-scored and in which she performs the closing-credits theme music and has a small onscreen role, will screen at The Atlanta Film Festival Sat. April 17 4:15 pm and Tuesday, April 20 4:35 pm at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema.
Previously, the film was the opening night screening / official selection at The Williamstown Film Festival; was an official selection of The El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Global Human Rights Film Festival in New York City; The Kent Film Festival in Connecticut; and The Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita. The film also has had screenings at The Tribeca Film Center in New York; The Santa Fe Film Center; at an event in Washington, DC hosted by the ACLU; at New York University at an event hosted by the Council on American Islamic Relations and other Islamic civil rights groups; Vassar College; the Brown v. Board National Historic Site; and The University of Massachusetts. Distribution information on the film is expected soon.
Kelley to put all of her artistic range into play in workshops and concert at McNeese State U. April 29-May 1
Students and fans in Louisiana and East Texas will have a rare opportunity at the end of April when Kelley comes to the Banners Arts and Humanities Series at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. She'll be giving workshops and working with students on Thurs. April 29 and Fri. April 30, and then her band flies in for a concert Sat. May 1 at McNeese State's Bulber Auditorium 7:30 pm. As usual expect a total-intensity throwdown from Kelley and the band on that portion of the show.
In an added dimension on this concert Kelley has been asked to join a steel drum ensemble and choir as a featured soloist on Glenn McClure's "KYRIE" from Saint Francis in the Americas, A Caribbean Mass. Kelley and the combined ensemble will perform four sections of the Mass, and Kelley will perform three of those sections as a soprano. As many of her fans and others already know Kelley intentionally likes to blend workshops on a broad range of subjects and involvement with children and students at all levels into her touring schedule. But this will be something very unique.
"This is a new piece of classical music for me, something like I used to do when I was in college but truly haven't done on this level in awhile. It will be an interesting challenge but one I take on wholeheartedly. The whole spirit of this week in Lake Charles and the involvement with these students is something I'm really looking forward to," Kelley said.
The concert promises to be a remarkable demonstration - from the stone roots value of Kelley's usual show to the "KYRIE" all in one sitting. For Kelley Hunt fans it's something quite literally no one has ever previously seen from Kelley in concert and absolutely not to be missed. To get tickets use this link.
Kelley hooks up with Tree House Drums
Expect a new look and righteous new sound on Kelley's live stages. She is now an artist/endorser of Tree House Custom Drums. This outstanding high-end boutique custom drummaker based in Topeka, KS has made a drum kit to Kelley's custom spec in consultation with her and the outstanding drummer/artists who are part of her touring band.
"We had one of their kits as a backline rental not long ago. I remember Bryan Head cranking up with that kit in sound check the first time - you should have seen all the heads turn that direction. That motivated us to investigate further. They've made us a great custom kit - warm sound, punchy, lot's of personality. Something our drummers can really dig in with and our production people absolutely love. It's a pleasure to make a Tree House kit part of our on-stage sound," said Kelley.
Kelley writes "Forever Love" for The Kelsey Smith Foundation
Not long ago Kelley was contacted by the Kelsey Smith Foundation about writing a song commemorating the life of the 18-year-old who was abducted just over a year ago from a Target parking lot in Overland Park, KS in broad daylight. Kelsey was found murdered a short time later.
Kelsey's parents Greg and Missey Smith have created THE KELSEY SMITH FOUNDATION in Kelsey's memory to provide youth and young adult safety information and other initiatives in support of law enforcement agencies to get vital information out to communities, parents and children all over the country that helps to keep young people safe.
The song "Forever Love" was written, produced and recorded by Kelley after a meeting and process with the Smith family through which she became personally acquainted with their perspectives on Kelsey's tragedy and, through them, got to know Kelsey.
You can now purchase and download "Forever Love" at kelseysarmy.com. All proceeds go directly to support the important work of the Kelsey Smith Foundation.
MERCY high on XM BB King's Bluesville channel list
If you've been thinking you've been hearing Kelley getting more attention on XM satellite radio recently you're right. On December 18, 2008 the MERCY CD was #9 on the BB King's Bluesville channel (74) "Picks to Click". It was up to #4 on Jan. 1, 2009 and the disc has continued to get good reps throughout 2009. XM also periodically features live tracks from an in-studio XM Live session Kelley and the band recorded in XM's Washington, D.C. studios a few years ago.
As a result of all the XM spins we've been hearing from legions of new fans from all over the country who've found Kelley and MERCY for the first time on satradio.
Kelley Hunt on Myspace, subscribe to podcasts
You can now find Kelley at myspace.com/kelleyhuntmusic. There are all the usual Myspace opportunities to interact, Kelley will be posting a regular blog, you can listen to tracks and purchase individual track downloads (these will be changing frequently), subcribe to podcasts and more. You can now also subscribe to podcasts HERE. And look for upcoming changes to kelleyhunt.com as well - a new look, some new features and much more. Check back to both sites frequently for news, updates and new music. And be sure to sign up or update your subscription to the mailing list on this site. There will be news very soon about Kelley's upcoming release and advisories about tour dates in your area you'll want to receive via email.
Kelley scores acclaimed artist Louis Copt's film project
Artist Louis Copt has achieved international acclaim for his landscape renderings in various media. Now he enters a new genre with his short film "The Prairie On Fire" which interprets range burning on the Kansas Flint Hills - a ritual born of both man and nature each spring going back in time as long as native grasses have covered the area.
Kelley was asked by the artist to collaborate on the project and write an orginal score supporting the vivid imagery Copt captured on film. For more information on the film and artist Louis Copt go to www.louiscopt.com.
Resubmit your mailing list registration info
Kelley Hunt Fans is undergoing a complete overhaul of all fan data information. If you submitted your name for the Kelley Hunt Mailing list prior to 2007 we invite you to resubmit your registration at the MAILING LIST link on this site. This is an opportunity for you to update any of your contact information and to make sure you're on the list for notifications of shows in your region and information on Kelley's new release this summer.
SECURITY - all of your information is transferred on a secure server, is kept absolutely secure in our system and is NEVER shared with anyone so your confidentiality is protected. On the online submission form you also have the option of submitting name, city and email information if you wish.
Help us bring Kelley Hunt Fans information up to as accurate a state as possible - take a few minutes to resubmit your info today!
KELLEY HAS ACTING ROLE AND WILL WRITE SOUNDTRACK MUSIC FOR INDIE FEATURE FILM
Kelley will play an onscreen role and write music for acclaimed director/filmmaker Kevin Willmott's (CSA - Confederate States of America) newest feature film project "Bunker Hill". Filming begins in August on location in Kansas.
James McDaniel, who played Lt. Fancy on NYPD Blue and has starred in such films as Sunshine State and Edge of America, will star and Executive Produce the film. Other cast members include Saeed Jaffrey the legendary actor from India who has starred in more than 150 films, including Gandhi, The Jewel and The Crown, My Beautiful Launderette and The Man Who Would Be King; Broadway, television and film star Kevin Geer (Law & Order); Blake Robbins, from the HBO series Oz and FOX‘s 24; Laura Kirk, the star and co-writer of the acclaimed feature film Lisa Picard is Famous; Kelley; Scott Allegrucci, whose acting credits include television’s Chicago Hope and a starring role in the feature film The Feud; Wendy Thompson, who appeared in CSA; filmmaker Ranjit Arab; and actors and wranglers from Western Trooper Productions (The Alamo, The Missing, Far and Away).
Bunker Hill is the story of a former Wall Street executive who leaves prison and heads for the small town of Bunker Hill, Kansas, where his former wife and their children have started a new life. Soon after he arrives, an apparent massive terrorist attack against America darkens the town. Cut off from the world, the town’s militant past is reawakened and forces coalesce to protect citizens from an unseen enemy. The town’s fear leads to the creation of a posse of gunmen, resulting in torture, illegal searches and eventually, murder.
This will be Kelley's second set of feature film credits and her first onscreen credit. Her song "If I Don't Dance" appeared in the 1998 Sony/Mandalay feature film "Dance With Me" starring Vanessa L. Williams and Kris Kristofferson.
Sheet Music for "Love Never Dies" available now
Since the July 4, 1998 live broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion" when the song was unveiled and after the Nov. 2000 release of that performance of the song on the "Inspiration" CD there have been many requests for sheet music for this ballad that seems to mean so many different things to so many people all over the country. We've been sincerely moved by the volume of mail and e-mail from fans with stories relating to this piece of music. Now the sheet music for "Love Never Dies (Lullaby for Charles)" is available by clicking on the "MERCH" link above.
For booking and management inquiries contact:
Al Berman • Out Loud Talent ajbmusic@earthlink.net
785-841-6000
