Willy Kelly

Willy Kelly (WK) has called Maine home for most of his musical career. He toured with the humorist Jud Strunk traveling much of the US, playing such notable gigs as radio station WWVA ("... get that Wheelin' feelin'") and head-lining music festivals, such as the Great Northern Festival along with the likes of Doc Watson, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and the New Grass Revival (with Sam Bush and Bela Fleck). He was also on the Jud Strunk PBS television show with Charlie Rose.

As a solo artist WK has played the East Coast from Maine to Florida. He has shared shows with music greats including Leo Kottke, Taj Mahal, Bill Monroe, and David Bromberg. WK has worked "sitting-in" with many well-loved musicians like The Bone-Heads, Mr. Whoopee, Chuck Kruger and The Charlie Pendleton Band. The Willy Kelly Band has included many well-known Maine/New England musicians.

Willy claims diverse influences; Lightning Hopkins, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Cliff, Elvis Costello, Gordon Lightfoot, and John Hartford. His singing has been compared to Stephen Stills and Shemekia Copeland. His playing style includes acoustic, electric, and slide guitars, as well as harmonica. His original's are a songwriter's look at love, loss, and modern society, taken one day at a time.