Todd Kelly

I had the pleasure of working with a legendary singer this past year, Rosemary Butler. Rosemary has toured the world and recorded with a list of artists that makes one salivate! The short list: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, etc., etc.!

Rosemary sang a song of mine called “Desert Rain’ about a brief love affair back in 2002. The style of the song is Art Song, with jazz harmonies and echoes of Impressionism. It’s not for everyone’s tastes, but it is exactly what I wanted to say about that amazing summer, and Rosemary’s interpretation is so poetic, so wistful, so haunting. I will release this for listening and hopeful downloading by July 4! Cheers everyone!

This is my first post in a long time, but it’s time to be consistent. Lots of things are on the horizon!!! The big reason for this post is to announce my concert in Pennslvania coming up on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 7pm. It will be held at the Forestville United Methodist Church; 124 Boyers Road, Forestville, PA, 16035; 724-735-2248. The concert is just after the monthly Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30-6:30pm, and at $1, (plus a quarter more if you want cake for dessert), the Spaghetti Dinner is one of the best deals on the planet! And the concert is FREE!!! There will be an offering taken to help support the HELP THY NEIGHBOR FUND, and to kick-off my building of financial support for missionary work.

I will be playing material from my 1st album, Piano Diaries, and my next album, Glory Run, which is still in production. The styles include latin, celtic, neo-romantic, contemporary gospel, and jazz-rock fusion. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, play a concert at the church I grew up in. My great-grand father, Harry Johnson, built the church building in 1910. It has great history, and I hope we pack the place!!! So, come on over to Forestville, Thursday evening, July 30…I know you will enjoy it!!! It will be great to see you there!!!

It’s about time, past time really- Piano Diaries has been released! NOW IS THE TIME! It’s a breath of fresh air to finally say so. The response is very positive. People are smiling when they tell me they’re really enjoying the music. That’s a nice feeling.

Now that it’s here, it’s time to promote it! Chad Beall and I will be playing in concert with much more frequency this year. Keep up to date with our shows on the concerts-link of this website. If we’re not scheduled for a venue near you, get in touch with us! We would love to do a concert in your area!

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If you know me, you’ll laugh. If not, you’ll learn. For example, I’m a fairly punctual guy. My physical reflexes are fast and reaction times quick. I recognize urgency and act decisively; but when it comes to my recording career… I’m like the hare who raced the tortoise- capable of finishing well, but too easily distracted along the way. You see, Piano Diaries was recorded in 1998. It’s nearly 2006, and I still haven’t released it! (No doubt some of you are questioning my ambition). SO WHAT’S TAKING SO LONG? Again, if you know me, you already know. If not, ask someone who does.

But seriously folks, Piano Diaries is finally scurrying its way toward completion. (I’m not making any predictions). I think this website is a good sign, though. I had to ask myself, “am I comfortable cajoling the weary who know my procrastinations, or do I expose the farse across the internet?” THAT scares me. I guess I need the motivation that fear provides to accomplish my goals. I wish I could say the project has aged like a fine wine, vintage ‘98. That would be a good excuse; but it’s only me who has aged, adding girth and fine lines instead. The good news is that my artistry continues to evolve. This bodes well for my next CD project. (Don’t hold your breath).

I will be relieved to finally get Piano Diaries to the marketplace. I am resolved to look at all the snide remarks as character builders. My hope is that this music will touch its listener in some unique way. However imperfect the project may be, I am confident in the honesty of the effort. It was recorded in a living room by two guys figuring it out as we went. I believe it’s a sincere expression of my lifes experience in music until 1998. It will soon be available to a wider audience. They can judge it accordingly.

“The difference between an optimist and a pessimist? An optimist laughs to forget, but a pessimist forgets to laugh.” -Tom Bodett

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” -Victor Borge