She’s performed with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and Patsy Cline to name a few. Country music legend Sandy Kelly plays us the soundtrack of her life…
The song I listen to on repeat is… I Am A Highwayman by The Highwaymen because it instantly brings back wonderful memories of working with each of those amazing artists and I’m reminded of how blessed I was to have had that chance.
My favourite sing-along song is…The Galway Shawl because of the lyrics and beautiful sing-along melody, it’s always sure to get everyone singing along.
When I’m in a bad mood…(which doesn’t happen that often) I would generally listen to something upbeat and actually one that my son Willie wrote called Bright Lights by Rackhouse Pilfer, a band he was part of a few years back.
An artist that I’m really loving at the moment…that’s really getting everyone’s attention – including Sting’s – is Niall McCabe from Clare Island. I absolutely love his voice and song writing. I really think he’s going to rise to the very top.
When I was young…growing up on my Grandfather’s Travelling Variety Show I was surrounded by great music, songs from Hollywood movies, Irish plays; all my family sang and played instruments and my Grandmother, Maggie O’Dee, was a great singer, too. I was blessed really to be able to absorb all of those great songs from such a young age and learn my craft.
The best concert I was ever at…was when I was working in Branson, Missouri in 1992 and I went to see Merle Haggard on my night off and his guitar player for the whole night – sitting on the stage behind him – was Willie Nelson! Merle was amazing and Willie just sat and played guitar all night, now that was a concert!
There have been many changes in the music industry…here in Ireland during my 51 years: less venues, less bands. The biggest change for me though is the use and effect that social media has. People all over the world have access to our music now, which is great.
Sandy Kelly, with special guest Marc Roberts, plays Leitrim on 6th February; Cavan on 7th; Kildare on 8th; Sligo on 13th; Tyrone on 14th; Limerick on 15th; and Wexford on 16th, sandykellymusic.com
