Jo Kelly Stephenson is an accomplished singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Australia.
Debut CD, I See Flowers You See Cars, a 2008 album finalist in the Independant Music Awards in the USA, is full of strong songs that span genres. Along with other excellent musicians who played on the album are well known Australian blues legends Mike Rudd, Bill Putt & Peter Robertson from Spectrum ('I'll Be Gone'). Jo Kelly's music is a combination of alternative roots music with hints of blues, jazz, R & B and pop/rock.
Live appearances include performances at the ABC studios, South Melbourne, the popular Woodford Folk Festival., The St Kilda Festival and the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
The strength of her songwriting and live performance has been recognized both in Australia and Internationally.
- Independent Music Awards (US)
- Billboard Song Contest (US)
- Pacific Songwriting Competition (NZ)
- ASA Australian Songwriting Competition (AUS)
- Musicoz Song Contest (AUS)
- PBS Festival of Song (AUS)
- World Battle of the Bands (International)
Four songs from the new album earned top 10 placements in the ASA - Australian Songwriters Association Awards 2007 and a nomination in the Top 10 for the Rudy Brandsma Award.
1st, 2nd and 3rd, 4th 6th and 9th (equal) places in the ASA Australian National Songwriting Contest 2001 (AUSMUSIC Category) and PPCA 'Performer of the Night' Award. Warren Barnett (then representing Festival Mushroom) and Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil) made the AUS music presentation and Lindy Morrison, the live performance presentation, at the Metro Theatre in Sydney.
Spending many of her early years riding around in a red Combi with her musical family, Jo Kelly treasures favourite memories of dancing to her father's band at late night gigs. These moments paved the way for the musical journey that is continuing to play out both with recordings and live work.
As a place winning finalist - PBS 106.7FM Festival of Song Competition - Jo Kelly won a Segovia acoustic bass guitar. Performing at World Battle of the Bands, at The Espy, St Kilda, her band was also a finalist.
A collection of Jo Kelly's songs received exposure on prime time television, channels 9 and 10, as part of AUSMUSIC / Australian Music Week. Her band showcased at Australian Music Week run by Michael Chugg, The Espy, Melbourne, 2004.
Jo has completed a BA Music (With Distinction), through Southern Cross University, NSW, but is based in Melbourne.
I See Flowers, You See Cars was recorded at Back Pocket Records studio in Melbourne, Australia
Now available at all good record stores across Australia and on line(Cat#SV0604)
Australian Distribution Sound Vault Records
Purchase digital download Blast My Music
US Buyers - CD Held in stock will ship immediately - CD Baby
Buy the album now direct from the artist