THE STORY SO FAR....
The lights dim, the music rumbles, lazer & strobe lights pierce the air, backstage a nervous but excited young man is limbering up about to enter the arena, like a warrior entering a battle. The crowd scream as he bounds onto the stage, an explosion of energy & charisma hits the audience . . .
A normal procedure for George Kennedy who has grown from being a shy youngster into an incredible, energetic, charasmatic entertainer. It all started back in the year of 1984, where George Thomas Kennedy was born in the city of Edinburgh.
Only a few years old his interest in music started with keyboard lessons & nights watching his dad and country band rehearse in the livingroom. A few years of keyboard lessons later,at the age of nine, he joined his dad's band, this gave him his first taste of performing live and over the years he grew in confidence and started singing after his voice broke.
Music played a huge part in George's education, head of music at Earlston High School, Jeff Thompson gave him the chance to perform & starr in school productions as George's rock 'n' roll idols Buddy Holly & Elvis Presley, and also performed in the classic show 'Singin in the Rain'. Jeff also took George to perform in 'Me & My Girl' with Galashiels Operatic Society. These shows were a huge confidence builder for a young shy George.
Knuckling down to study he achieved an advanced higher A pass in Music. After deciding to start a career in music he began studying for a degree in Music Performance with the UHI Millenium Institute,Perth, by this point George's dad had retired from performing and George went solo. During the three year course he deveolped himself into an outstanding performer, also discovering new forms of music and mixing with musicians from all different cultures.
After a great deal of self promotion and support from his parents, the bookings were soon flooding in. He was also picked up quickly by agents from all over Scotland. His dad took role of sound engineer and his mum looked after his accounts, booking, and also his never ending pile of washing.
Over the last few years he has developed into a unique talent, many audience's wow'ed by his energy on stage and also his singing voice which is packed with power & versatility. His influences come from some of the great frontmen and solo arists of our time. They have all shaped him into the artist you see on stage today, but he also has his own unique style, which is very different to other acts.
His gig schedule over the lst few years has been hetic often performing seven nights a week during summer monthes and he has also performed further afield from England to Wales, to North of Scotland. He gives 200% at everyshow, no matter the venue or attendance, he loves what he does and this definatly shows.
He has been and still is working extremly hard, and hoping one day soon he will be discovered and take the next step up in his career. He performed live on BBC Radio in 2007 which was a great experience. He also writes his own material and in December was the first artist to do a live set on TD1 Radio, a new station in the borders. The songs were, 'Mystery Man', 'No One Gives A Dam', 'Tomorrow's Another Day' & 'Frozen', you can hear these tracks from the live show on the songs page. You may have also seen George perform 'Frozen', with his brother (who plays hamonica) live on stage in 2008, David has also been sharing the sound & lighting engineering with his Dad.
In 2008 he was honoured to be made patron of a local charity, Borders Aspergers & Autism Group Support (BAAGS). He has already performed at Selkirk Town Hall to raise funds, and plans a number of events in the Border area, He enjoys the challenge and its also very rewarding.
2009 is gearing up to be another very busy year, and like every year is always a big year, always looking for oppertunitys and looking forward to gigs, and meeting you fans on the road!
Southern Reporter 14th February
George Eyes Up BAAGS Support
Earlston singer George Kennedy has teamed up with Borders Aspergers and Autism Group Support (BAAGS) to promote awareness of the local charity.
Along with the BAAGS team, the 23-year-old performer will be organising events throughout the year aimed at raising funds to provide support for people affected by Autism.
In particular, he hopes to raise the profile of the charity among young people, who make up the vast majority of his following, both in the Borders and further afield.
This year is expected to be a busy year for George with a packed UK tour and an upcoming album release, and fans will be glad to hear he will be appearing at the Volunteer Hall in Selkirk later in 2008.
Article from Border Telegraph
Singer George set for a Bright Future
Earlston musican George Kennedy is to perform at two major showcases in Scotland & Northern Ireland.
One is to be held in Stirling on March 26th and the other in Belfast on April 30th.
Top Irish showbiz agent Paul McCullough of Meadowvale Entertainements agency, sees a bright future for the young Borderer.
He said 'In three years this is the first act we've thought we can really do something with.
'George is coming over to Ireland in a while and we're planning to get him into the recording studio and put down a single'
The local lad proved a hit at a recent showcase in Blackpool.
The event was attended by over 600 entertainment agencies, cruise liner representatives and industry folk.
George is delighted his performance has generated substantial interest.
He said ' that was a big showcase and im pleased with how it went, ive been trying to get away from the club scene and into the chartier stuff, i want to continue writing my own material, although ido perform songs by Green Day & the Killers'
George's parents, George senior and Dorothy, are backing their son to the hilt, providing sound engineering and accounting facilities repectively.
The local singer added:
'ive had great support from friends, venues and agencts and im doing a lot of my own promotion, its all about spreading my wings a bit and it would be good to do some dates in England, id also like to perform abroad, but the focus is on being successful here first of all.'
George is playing a charity gig in Cumbernauld tonite (Wednesday) and his next performance in the Borders will be at the Vale of Leithen Club in Innerleithen on April 7th.
Article from Southern Reporter
Spotlight's on George as he heads for Blackpool showcase
AFTER years playing his trade on the club scene north and south of the Border, Earlston singer George Kennedy is hoping a date in Blackpool later this month will herald a major breakthrough in the music business.
George's latest album 'Ready and Waiting' so impressed top Irish promoter Paul McCullough that he has signed the youngster to appear in a special showcase in the tourism capital's famous Horseshoe Bar on January 24.
Industry agents and record company executives will be there to hear the 22-year-old, whose heroes include Marti Pellow, Robbie Williams and Elvis Presley, give full rein to his talents.
Before that, Borders punters can enjoy this exciting performer when he plays the Vale Club, Innerleithen, this Saturday, January 13.
George has music in his blood. He began keyboard lessons at the age of five and, by the time he was nine, he was regularly performing with his father's country band Mississippi. When his dad (also George) retired a few years ago, young George went solo and has never looked back.
It's still very much a family affair, with George snr operating the sound and lighting systems at live shows and mum Dorothy acting as booking agent.
George acknowledges the support and inspiration he received at Earlston High School where he took part in various productions, playing Buddy Holly in 'Stars of Stage and Screen' and Elvis in 'King of Rock 'n' Roll'. He was also in Galashiels Amateur Operatic Society's production of 'Me and My Girl'.
"The musicals gave me valuable experience, but it wasn't really the direction I wanted to go in," said George.
He then enrolled for a three-year part-time course in music performance with the Perth-based UHI Millennium Institute.
"The course covered a range of disciplines, such as stagecraft and presentation, studio recording and business and it really boosted my confidence as a solo performer," recalled George.
Apart from playing live, George has more recently been working on his own songs and promoting himself through the internet.
"My ambition is to get away from clubland and win recognition as an original artiste ? hopefully the Blackpool gig will be a stepping stone to achieving that aim."
Saturday's Innerleithen gig starts at 8pm.
11 January 2007
Showcase 2005 Review
Trendy young singer George Kennedy quite literally leapt onto the stage to perform an up-tempo Elvis medley. The lad is a lovely mover and the gravelly and well pitched singing voice, which was best used during a version of the Lonestar song Amazed, was pretty distinctive and easy to listen to. A version of the Green Day rock anthem Holiday completed young Kennedy?s impressive debut showcase appearance.