By now you should have a pretty good idea who Josh Kelley is– maybe you have read the other blog about his CD (Just Say the Word) or heard his music on the radio. Or maybe you haven’t a clue– no matter.. there’s good reason here to take a listen to this "long-ish" podcast with Josh Kelley as he’s just about to go on the road.
Currently on tour with Keaton Simons, Kelley is more than just a musician. This guy brings a wealth of talent to the table musically and artistically. Savvy-smart about his musical career, he’s created his own label to allow him to create and present his music his way. Not only is he into his music but he’s into the production end –not only of his own music– but of others as well and Kelley talks about it on this podcast.
While for some musicians, touring is merely a bus ride from one location to the next, Kelley uses his time to draw and do sketches in colored pencils that eventually he will turn into oil paintings. Yup– the guy isn’t just a musician, he’s an artist too and left college where he was majoring in art to pursue his musical career. His art is definitely a reflection of the well of rich emotional content within him and it’s a defining characteristic of this man. He uses the time on tour to create — whether it’s new artwork that’s going to be fleshed out on his return from the road or writing new lyrics.
Josh tells us a lot on the podcast about what he does on the road and how he views his life as a musician/artist and business person. Smart guy, he’s not wasting his time on the bus. His mind is working 24/7.
What’s really cool is that he’s out on tour right now with Keaton Simons and he’s treating it more like a collaboration than an opening act and a headliner. He loves the collaborative process and views it very much as a give and take as he shares the tour with other musicians as well as his music and his life.
So take a listen to the podcast and you might want to noodle around Josh Kelley’s myspace site for some downloads, information, photos and more. There’s a lot going on with this guy– typical musician he isn’t!
Currently on tour, you can find him out on the road and make sure if he’s coming near you that you snag some tickets EARLY as they will sell out FAST. He’s been creating some new stuff and working on things collaboratively with Keaton Simons and you have to see it LIVE to appreciate the talent of these guys who are out on the road together. It’s absolutely amazing.
TOUR DATES
3/21 Lincoln Theatre
Raleigh, NC
3/22 Ziggy’s
Winston, Salem, NC
3/23 The Handlebar
Greenville, SC
3/24 Workplay Theatre
Birmingham, AL
3/26 12th and Porter
Nashville, TN
3/27 Rick’s Cafe
Starkville, MS
3/28 Smiths Olde Bar
Atlanta, GA
3/29 Rhythm and Brews
Chattanooga, TN
3/30 Newby’s
Memphis, TN
3/31 The Dame
Lexington, Ky
4/2 House of Blues
New Orleans, LA
4/3 The Country Club
Augusta, GA
4/10 The Stage Door
Madison, WI
4/11 The Fine Line
Minneapolis, MN
4/13 Jake’s
Bloomington, IN
4/14 The Blind Pig
Ann Arbor, MI
4/15 20th Century Theatre
Cincinnati, OH
4/16 Cambridge House at House of Blues
Cleveland, OH
4/17 The Music Mill
Indianapolis, IN
4/18 House of Blues Chicago
Chicago, IL
4/20 Student Union Plaza (outside)
Texas Tech, Lubbock, TX
6/1 Downtown Herndon
Herndon, VA
6/29 Crystal Lake Festival
Chicago, Illinois
7/4 Ballard Park (Free Show)
Tupelo, MS
8/25 The Morton Arboretum
w/Sister Hazel
Lisle, Illinois
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1/19-1/24 The Rock Boat
Miami, FL
And for your musical interlude–here’s a song from Kelley to get you groovin. There is already a review on this CD on the blog and check it out. It’s definitely worth a download of the entire CD or order it online. It’s a variety of different musical presentations that you will be pleased you have as the music grows on you over time.
Beautiful Goodbye from Just Say the Word CD
The LA Story would like to thank Josh Kelley for his time in talking to us. He was definitely a fun interview and we would love to check in with him again– maybe while he’s on the road or just before he releases his next CD. He’s got eclectic tastes and unusual style and an open heart!
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