On Stage: The Kennedys bring new album to Jamey’s

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

The Kennedys, who are headlining a show at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com), have been filling the air with sweet music for a long time.

Pete and Maura Kennedy, known nationally to Americana/folk-rock fans as The Kennedys, have been performing live shows and releasing highly acclaimed albums for more than 30 years.

Recently, the talented multi-genre twosome has been busy in the recording studio.

On August 21, they independently released their 18th album, “Smoketree.” The show at Jamey’s is billed as “The Kennedys CD Release Show.”

The new album is the follow-up to “Headwinds” (2023), which spent a month at #1 on the national Folk DJ chart.

The Kennedys recorded “Smoketree” at their home studio — Graymalkin Studios in Tarrytown, New York.

Credits on the album were: Pete Kennedy — electric and acoustic guitars, pedal steel guitar, mandolin, bass, banjo, electric sitar, Rickenbacker 12-string guitar, drums, vocals; Maura Kennedy — vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, keyboards, percussion.

“Smoketree” features all original, newly written songs that reflect their feelings on things both timely and timeless — environmental concerns, social upheaval as families and entire populations flee violence, the search for peace in the world and peace in one’s heart.

All of these topics are dealt with using their trademark upbeat tone of uplift and encouragement.

The duo is one month into its current tour, “The Kennedys’ Endless Tour!” – a tour which will wind up in early spring in Florida.

“It’s a very solid album release tour,” said Maura Kennedy, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from the couple’s house along the Hudson River north of New York City.

“It goes all the way through the winter. In November and December, we’re in the Northeast. Then, we have shows in Florida and the Carolinas.”

Pete Kennedy added, “We figured out how to take Florida and the South as a unique market. A lot of people from the Northeast have relocated there.”

The Kennedys know that the best of Florida can be found far away from the tourist attractions like Walt Disney World – that it can be found in the state’s abundance of natural attractions…especially its impressive system of state parks.

“When we made the video for ‘Without Us,’ the first single from the album, we shot parts of it in two of Florida’s state parks,” said Maura Kennedy.

“We shot at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Florida, and its neighboring park, Silver Springs State Park. There were also parts shot at Green Cay Nature Center in Boynton Beach, Florida.

“We knew the video would really work with different shots showing natural places.”

Songwriting has always been one of the Kennedys’ strengths.

“Songs start with ideas,” said Maura. “We’ll think of something we want to say and then write that song with lyrics — and hookups with style and tempo. We like to follow the melody with voices showing inflection.”

Pete said, “We have a lot of songs that we write and then decide to keep it or discard it. We have bits that we work on for an album.

“We work on a song until we think it’s going to be good enough for the record. Usually, an acoustic demo will tell if it’s strong enough.”

There was never any doubt about how strong “Without Us” was.

The song is very timely considering all the current discussion about how Artificial Intelligence could kill us – how AI could wipe out humanity in less than 10 years.

Very recently, experts have offered theories that reveal exactly how superintelligent bots could make mankind extinct.

“Without Us,” which was written several years ago, addressed the topic of earth without the human species.

The notion of nature correcting the impositions of technology in a world.

The poignant lyrics of “Without Us” are;

Maura explained the story behind “Without Us” – “I wrote ‘Without Us’ one late afternoon on a hill looking out over the Hudson River. It’s a beautiful view, and I often think what it must have looked like before humans came along to change the landscape. Our species can be reckless and take nature for granted, but it’s the only world we have, and it should be treasured. I imagined that if, at some time in the future, we go extinct, the planet will very readily reclaim itself, and nature quickly erase all evidence that we were here. Nature doesn’t need us and might even do better without us. That’s the thought that inspired this song, and we recorded it using mostly acoustic instruments: banjo, mandolin, and harmonica, to keep it close to nature.”

With songs by the Kennedys, the cerebral aspect and the physical aspect are equally strong.

“The hardest thing about songwriting is getting that original idea,” said Maura. “Once I have the hook or the title, the song writes itself.

“I like to write intricate rhythm schemes. The challenge is to carry it through – to solve the puzzle.”

Pete Kennedy and Maura Boudreau met at The Continental Club in Austin, Texas, in 1992. They first played and sang together a few days later, and, in no time at all, they had written their first song.

Their first date was a road trip to Buddy Holly’s grave in west Texas. Pete was a member of Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra at the time.

Soon after, Maura filled a vacancy in the band. The duo doubled as Nanci’s opening act, and The Kennedys set off on a lifelong road trip.

They later got married in 1994.

The Kennedys are rockers, folkies, troubadours and out-and-out road warriors.

With three decades of touring under their belt, the Kennedys have played more than 3,000 shows and travelled close to a million miles bringing their music to their fans around the world. They have also toured frequently as Nanci Griffith’s backing musicians in her Blue Moon Orchestra.

The New York-based duo has performed at venues all around the Delaware Valley including the World Café Live at the Queen in Wilmington, The Point in Bryn Mawr, the World Café Live in Philadelphia, Jamey’s House of Music in Lansdowne and its predecessor — PSALM Salon in Overbrook.

“We’ve played Jamey’s many times over the years,” said Pete. “We also played a lot of shows for Jamey when he had his performance space in a rowhouse in Philadelphia (PSALM Salon in Overbrook).”

The Kennedys also have played several venues in Chester County including Longwood Gardens in Chadds Ford, Eagleview Town Center in Lionville, Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, Steel City Coffee House in Phoenixville, and The Art Scene at Café Menta in West Chester.

The Kennedys have another connection to Chester County.

Three of their albums — “Half a Million Miles,” “Songs of the Open Road,” and “Better Dreams” – were released on the Appleseed Recordings label – a small record company that is owned by Jim Musselman and located here in West Chester.

Tracks by the Kennedys have also been included on two Appleseed Recordings anniversary compilations – “Namaste” on “Various Artists | Sowing the Seeds: The 10th Anniversary” (2007) and “Give Me Back My Country” on “Various Artists | Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots & Branches” (2018).

“We’ll be playing two 45-minute sets at Jamey’s,” said Pete Kennedy. “We’ll do some songs from the new album as well as a lot of fan favorites. We always take requests from audiences.”

Video link for the Kennedys — https://youtu.be/UOyogcvIlTk.

The show at Jamey’s House of Music on September 25 will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $30 at the door. Pay-Per-View tickets are $15.45.

Other upcoming shows at Jamey’s are BLUESTIME! on September 26 and Jamey’s Blues Union Sunday Blues Brunch and Jam.

David Uosikkinen is a key member of several East Coast music acts including QDK (Quentin Jones, David Uosikkinen, Kenny Aaronson) and “Three Friends: Bobby Messano, David Uosikkinen, Kenny Aaronson.”

Uosikkinen, who most notably has been a member of the Hooters for more than 45 years, has also been active for years with his Philadelphia-based project, David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket.

Uosikkinen, who has also recorded and performed with artists including Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Taj Mahal, and Patty Smyth, along with many emerging acts, is bringing his latest incarnation of David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket to the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, www.ardmoremusic.com) on September 26.

The concert, which is billed as “A Celebration Of Pierre Robert,” will feature David Uosikkinen (The Hooters), Kenny Aaronson (The Yardbirds), Ben Arnold, Pablo Batista (Alicia Keys, Patti Labelle), Richard Bush (The A’s), Steve Butler (Smash Palace), Tommy Conwell (The Young Rumblers), John Faye (The Caulfields), Tanqueray Hayward, Cliff Hillis, Charlie Ingui (The Soul Survivors), Quentin Jones (QDK, Robert Gordon), Kenn Kweder, Vini Lopez (Bruce Springsteen, Wonderful Winos), ZouZou Mansour (Soraia), Joe Mass (Broken Arrow), Wally Smith (Smash Palace), Jeff Washington (Melba Moore) and horns by Chuck Gottesman, Bobby Michaels and Jim Verdeur.

Uosikkinen’s touring credits span major international stages such as Live Aid, Amnesty International concerts, and Roger Waters’ “The Wall” in Berlin.

“We (QDK) put out an EP a few months ago,” said Uosikkinen. “I just recorded a new In The Pocket song.

“It’s the Spinners’ ‘I’ll Be Around.’ John Faye did a great job on vocals. We’ll debut it live when we play the Ardmore Music Hall on September 26.”

Now celebrating its 15th year, In The Pocket has brought its powerhouse performances to theaters and venues throughout the region. The band is a living, breathing tribute to Philadelphia’s extraordinary musical legacy.

To date, In The Pocket has released 23 studio recordings, all reinterpretations of songs originally recorded in Philadelphia or by Philadelphians. They can be heard at songsinthepocket.org.

The catalog includes classics such as Hall & Oates’ “Fall In Philadelphia”; Todd Rundgren’s “Open My Eyes” and “I Saw The Light”; The Soul Survivors’ “Expressway To Your Heart”; “Punk Rock Girl” by The Dead Milkmen; The Trammps’ “Disco Inferno”; The O’Jays’ “Back Stabbers”; and David Bowie’s “Young Americans.”

Video link for In The Pocket – https://youtu.be/8VuQEq-kU8M?si=ajyCRwe5s4Tdf49n.

The show at the Ardmore Music Hall will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $40.

Other upcoming shows at the Ardmore Music Hall are Katie Pruitt on September 27, Fastball on September 29 and Matchbox 30 on September 30.

“Fiddler on the Roof,” which opened on September 18 and runs through October 25 at the Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, candlelighttheatredelaware.org), takes a look at Jewish history and has an amazing amount of history on its own.

The musical, which is based on Sholom Aleichem’s short story “Tevye’s Daughters,” is set in 1905 in Anatevka, a small Ukrainian Jewish village in Russia. It tells the story of Tevye, his wife Golde and three of their daughters — Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava.

It is about Tevye, a poor milkman, and his struggle to preserve family values and traditions in a world where persecution and poverty have taken over. It tells the story of Tevye’s attempts to maintain his family and Jewish religious traditions during challenging times.

His three older daughters are headstrong and willing to challenge tradition with their choices of husbands — Tzeitel with a poor young man from the village, Hodel with an idealistic freedom fighter and Chava with a Russian soldier.

The show ran for a record-setting total of 3,242 performances and was the first musical theater run in history to surpass 3,000 performances. In 1965, “Fiddler on the Roof” captured nine Tony Awards and was the winner of the 1965 New York Drama Critic Award for Best Musical.

Tickets, which include a full meal and beverages, are $83 for adults and $38.50 for child (4-12).

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will present “Bye Bye Birdie” now through September 27.

“Bye Bye Birdie” is a fun-filled musical comedy that captures the excitement, chaos, and charm of 1950s America.

When rock & roll superstar Conrad Birdie is drafted into the Army, his managers create one final publicity stunt: Conrad will give an All-American teenage girl one last goodbye kiss live on television. Enter Kim MacAfee and her small town, where nothing will ever be the same again.

Filled with memorable songs, energetic dance numbers, and lovable characters, “Bye Bye Birdie” is a classic Broadway hit that celebrates teenage dreams, family antics, and the power of rock & roll.

Featuring favorites like “Put On a Happy Face,” “Kids,” and “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” this crowd-pleasing musical is bursting with humor, heart, and vintage charm.

Perfect for audiences of all ages, “Bye Bye Birdie” is a feel-good theatrical experience that continues to delight generation after generation.

Tickets are $46 for adults and $41 for students.

Other upcoming shows at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center are JD Malone on September 26 and Stephanie Phillips on September 30.

Now through October 18, People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org) is presenting “Top Dog/Underdog.”

The play is billed as “A darkly comic fable of brotherly love.”

A Pulitzer Prize winner from celebrated playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, “Top Dog/Underdog” tells the story of siblings Lincoln and Booth, whose names, given to them as a joke, foretell a lifetime of deep-seated rivalry and resentment.

Haunted by their own past and the weight of their namesakes, the two men must confront their future in a story that takes a searing look at manhood and family identity.

Company Artist Akeem Davis stars in this production, helmed by acclaimed Philadelphia director Amina Robinson. “Topdog/Underdog” is co-produced with Arden Theatre Company.

Ticket prices start at $58.

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is hosting Community Chapstick, Better Off Dead and Tight Spiral on September 25 and Flint Hill on September 27.