 LA, Nashville and a Little Town in South Carolina Met some inspirational, friendly souls at the Taxi Road Rally this year. Picked up my new guitar at Sam Ash in Hollywood, Gretsch with Bigsby. Was going to get an Epiphone, but walked in and there she was... love at first sight. It's an amazing guitar, with plenty of volume acoustically, so great for the road. And you can do all those Chris Isaac style bends and it stays in tune. Then two and a half hours from West Hollywood by Train-Bus-Bus-Bus and a bit of walking in between back to LAX, with loaded backpack and guitar in hand. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger! Headed to Nashville around Thanksgiving and ended up writing and recording out in a little town in South Carolina with Fred Engler and the Trouble Shooters. With great radio, a very organic Alt. Country music scene, beautiful clear skies and mountains, how could anyone not be inspired? 
With Carla Olson at the Gram Parson's Tribute event in Burbank, CA A&E Network TV Series The Glades I'll Be True to You by Jo Kelly Stephenson featured in The Glades TV Series Episode 1 starring Aussie actor Matt Passmore. The show premiered in Australia, Mon 28th Nov 11 on Channel 10 and has been renewed by A&E Network for a 3rd Season in the US. With catchy lyrics, "Knock Knock Knocking on every door 'till I found you" and plenty of feel, it's all about the songs. Jo Kelly Stephenson now has an extensive catalogue of award winning songs available for licensing. The songs are striking chords with industry professionals, music supervisors and listeners alike. I'll Be True To You won 2nd place in the 16th Billboard Song Contest for R&B Blues. Cooking For Bachelors TV New York foodie and dedicated cook Jyl Ferris has signed an agreement to use one of Jo Kelly's songs in her popular TV series Cooking For Bachelors. The Cooking For Love game show series, along with other inspiring tasty sessions, feature the song Kitchen Talk. Check out Jyl's newest travel series. Switched At Birth TV Series The hit song quality of I'll Be True To You came up trumps again and aired August 8, 2011 in the new TV series Switched At Birth on the ABC Family Network in the USA. Thanks to Tanvi Patel, Crucial Music. Oz Song International I'll Be True To You was a Finalist in the Blues and Roots category of the Oz Song International songwriting competition. Judges included Trez Gregory from Brooks and Dunne in Nashville and Dave Hole, renowned slide guitarist from Perth WA along with an A list of other Australian music legends. 2011 APRA Professional Development Awards Once again Jo Kelly Stephenson was shortlisted as a Finalist - Country Category in the Australian Professional Development Awards. Emerging Australian songwriters benefit from this Australian professional organisation's support. Short Film Alone The US short film Alone featured some of Jo Kelly's music, again thanks to LA based publisher, Crucial Music TNT TV Network Series Rizzoli and Isles I'll Be True To You by Jo Kelly Stephenson features in Rizzoli and Isles Season 1 Episode 6 - I Kissed a Girl. TNT's newest crime drama is set in Boston USA. The show is based around writer Tess Gerritsen's two very distinct female characters. With a successful second series, TNT has planned for a Season 3 of another 15 episodes. Highlights of Archived News I See Flowers, You See Cars USA Independent Music Awards - Vox Populi Winner
CMJ and the Jay Bar, New York - Oct 09 Jo Kelly Stephenson's bluesy songs met an enthusiastic response from the Jay Bar crowd on a Saturday night in New York. Jo Kelly and James "Jimi" Ferguson were back for a second appearance the following Wednesday night during CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival. Together they soaked up the good vibes at CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival in New York, then travelled on to Nashville and Memphis, and later headed back over to LA for the Taxi Road Rally. The Taxi Road Rally brings together music publishers, music supervisors and industry A&R people from major and indie labels. Emergence Sold-Out Concert in Queensland, Australia - Aug 09 Jo Kelly Stephenson escaped the Melbourne winter again performing to a full house in Brisbane, at Emergence. Emergence showcased new and vibrant songwriters playing their roots and alt-country music. Recipients of a newly initiated funding grant for indigenous artists, Australian duo Busby Marou invited Jo Kelly Stephenson to perform with them. The event was held at the Judith Wright Centre of the Contemporary Arts. Billboard World Song Contest - I'll Be True to You, 2nd Place, R&B Blues - 2009 "I love her voice, love her approach to songwriting and lyrics" said Eloise Nolan, Head of ABC Music Publishing. With the cheeky humour of songs like I'll Be True to You and of course you're mama and papa, sisters and brothers, aunties, uncles, cousins, grandparents .... this song tells it all. Bluesy songs like Hey There Mama suggest a similar raw honesty. Airplay in Europe - 2009 Song Deep End, described by Performing Songwriter Magazine as the 'rock solid opener' of Jo Kelly Stephenson's debut album is now receiving airplay in France, Spain and other parts of Europe. It features on the Aussie Blues and Roots compilation CD BAR Vol 6 Australian Songwriters Association - Rudy Brandsma Winner - Aug 08 At the 28th Annual Songwriting Contest in Sydney, Australia Jo Kelly Stephenson won the Rudy Brandsma Award. The award is given to one member annually to recognize outstanding songwriting potential. She was presented with a Maton guitar. Jo Kelly performed Perfect Chance which was voted a top place in both Country and International categories in the contest. From student days, when Jo Kelly won six places in the one category and PPCA Performer of the Night, Jo Kelly has been delighted with the ongoing recognition she has received from the ASA. Her song Perfect Chance went on to a Finalist postition in the 8th Annual USA Independent Music Awards where judges included Suzanne Vega and Peter Gabriel, along with Keith Urban, Roger Daltry, Buddy Guy, George Jones, Clint Black, Steve Vai and more. |
