Kennedy spent the mid-1990s composing songs and honing his skills as a session guitarist, primarily for contemporary Christian artists like Amy Grant, Twila Paris, Susan Ashton, Steven Curtis Chapman and PFR (aka Pray for Rain). American Songwriter/Musician/Producer, born November 28, 1959 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Gordon Kennedy has quite the resume. His co-writing partners include Will Kimbrough, Matraca Berg, Chuck Cannon, Cindy Morgan, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Gordon Kennedy, Keb' Mo', and Emmylou Harris. [29] Their collaboration continued, leading to Kennedy's co-producing, composing, and performing on Frampton's album, Fingerprints [30] which won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Harley Lee Allen was an American bluegrass and country singer and songwriter. [2] [3] After moving to Nashville, his father became successful as a session musician (member of the Musicians Hall of Fame/A-team) and eventually his business acumen propelled his rise to CEO of Mercury Records (Nashville division), a job he held for 20 years. [18] Music historian Don Cusic said, "The group had great musicians; many of them played studio sessions in Nashville, and the talent of the individual members is evident from their post-White Heart success". Kennedy currently serves on the Belmont University Advisory Board, and has served on the Board of Governors for the Nashville’s National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Gordon Scott Kennedy is a Nashville -based songwriter, musician, and record producer whose most successful composition is the international hit song " Change the World ", recorded by Eric Clapton, for which Kennedy and his co-writers received a Grammy Award for Song of the Year (1996). It also features duets with musicians like Carrie Underwood, Pitbull, and Nile Rodgers. "Change the World" is a song written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick, the best-known version of which was recorded by the English singer Eric Clapton for the soundtrack of the 1996 film Phenomenon. Kennedy resides near Nashville, TN, with his wife Tracey and their two children. Kennedy recalls that songwriting began to click for him in 1991 when he began co-writing with his friend, Wayne Kirkpatrick. The song won Record of the Year for Eric Clapton, and spent a record breaking 81 weeks on the top of the charts. Nov 28, 1959 (age 61) Other popular celebrities. [23] [35], The enduring worldwide hit song, "Change the World", earned Kennedy a Grammy for "Song of the Year" in 1996. 1 episode totalling 2 hours, 52 minutes. "Dogs of Peace" formed in 1995. True at Heart is the third solo album of the German female hard rock singer Doro Pesch. The album peaked at No. In addition, Gordon served on Brentwood Academy’s Board of Trustees from 2007-2010 where he and his two children are graduates and remain active alumni. [19] Dann Huff became an award-winning guitarist and producer; Tommy Simms joined Bruce Springsteen's touring band; Kennedy founded the group Dogs of Peace [19] In 2010, White Heart was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. The working of this album marks the beginning of the collaboration between Doro Pesch and Nashville guitarist Gary Scruggs. The single was a track from his album Change Your World, and was a hit on the Adult Contemporary chart, reaching No. The award, "Best Pop Instrumental Album", was renamed by The Recording Academy in 2014 to be called "Best Contemporary Instrumental Album". Kennedy’s name became nationally recognized when he won Song of the Year at the 1997 Grammys for Eric Clapton ’s No. He is a 3-time #1 hit songwriter, an author, actor, novelist, playwright and life coach. He returned to Arista as a recording artist in 2002, releasing two more singles. Furthermore, Gordon Kennedy has used the guitar on sessions with Jewel, Garth Brooks, Frampton, SheDaisy, and others. [27], In 1999, at a meeting suggested by mutual friends, Kennedy was invited to Peter Frampton's home which was convenient since they both lived in the Nashville suburb of Brentwood. Her recordings include "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," "We're All Alone", "I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love" and the theme song for the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy: "All Time High". [28] It was a break from the past for Skaggs who has said that he felt something of the Beatles influence in Kennedy's music. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, mandocaster and banjo. It was released on 6 May 2016 via Hit Red and Capitol Records Nashville. Jerry detailed that the unusual-looking gizmo on the guitar is a palm pedal built by … The album sold more than eight million copies in the United States and spawned several hit singles. Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs, Peter Frampton, "Jerry and Gordon Kennedy "It's a Two-Man Collection, "Country Artists and Music/Kennedy Clan (Photo caption)", "He provides the music, guitar pitches the history", "Garth Brooks – American Honky-Tonk Bar Association / Everytime That It Rains", "Praguefrank's Country Music Discographies/111 2-53245/Run Like a Thief/SRM-1-5003", "Praguefrank's Country Music Discographies/Johnny Rodriquez/110 2-53244 Remember Me SRM-1-5003", "Emotion by Barbra Streisand @ARTISTdirect", "Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters Podcast/Ep. Gordon is the fifth and final recipient of the Distinguished Lecturer, an honor given to industry professionals who inspire others through their work in the entertainment and music industry. The album was released on June 19, 1992 by Sparrow Records. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. His experience teaching both privately and in the public school system has given him a very diverse set of skills in working with young musicians. Email or Phone: Password: ... Musician/Band. 1 hit, “ Change the World ,” which he co-wrote with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims . Twenty years later, in 2016, Kennedy, Jimmie Sloas, Blair Masters, John Hammond and Jeff Balding reunited for a second album called Heel. 3 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 1998. [15] Kennedy said, "I was watching [Huff] become 'that guy' and he drove me to play better". It won a Grammy Award for Best Country Album. New Releases. Breathe is one of the most successful country/pop albums to date. Rita Coolidge is an American recording artist. 1 hit, “Change the World,†which he co-wrote with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims. [12] Kennedy wrote his first song in the high school auditorium during his graduating year. Bryan Kennedy. Nov 28, 1959 (age 61) Other popular celebrities. However, he has since toured the world several times, both on his own and with Steve Winwood. The album includes the singles "Breathe", "The Way You Love Me", "Let's Make Love", and "If My Heart Had Wings". [20], Kennedy recalled that songwriting began to click for him about 1991 when he began co-writing with his friend, Wayne Kirkpatrick. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Just like his previous album Fuse (2013), Urban co-worked with multiple producers on this one, this was also busbee's final album as a producer before his death in 2019. Dann Lee Huff is an American record producer and songwriter. [23]. He has lent his talents as a player to Don Henley, Kenny Loggins, Reba McEntire, Michael McDonald, Leanne Rimes, Bruce Hornsby, Little Big Town and Shedaisy, among others. [13] "Dogs of Peace" formed in 1995, consisting of Kennedy, Jimmie Sloas, Blair Masters, and John Hammond, with Jeff Balding as engineer. Kennedy’s name became nationally recognized when he won Song of the Year at the 1997 Grammys for Eric Clapton’s No. Billboard Hot 100. Their first album, Speak, was released in 1996. 24. He penned the theme song for the Reba television series and is currently Vice President of Entertainment Relations at TuneCore. Gordon Kennedy was born on March 8, 1968 in Scotland as Gordon McGregor Kennedy. Currently, he is a part of a few bands in Nashville – The Petty Junkies, Mystery Trip, and Seals and Crofts 2. Kennedy also received a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album (2007), co-producing, composing and performing on Peter Frampton's Fingerprints album. He was raised in Barrington, Rhode Island, and attended Taylor University, graduating in 1975. Musician/Band. Kennedy has continually given to Belmont and its students for years. Public Figure. Accompanying Clapton on this album are guitarist Andy Fairweather-Low, drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Nathan East and keyboardists Billy Preston, Greg Phillinganes and David Sancious. [9] He was designated as the "most athletic student" his final year. Youngest brother Shelby is a multifaceted entertainment executive, music publisher, producer, songwriter, artist manager, and studio vocalist. Brooks subsequently recorded ten more of Kennedy's songs on his alter-ego album, The Life of Chris Gaines, which reached No. Clapton and Edmonds performed the song at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards Show in 1996, where the song won "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year", and "Best male Pop Vocal Performance". 1 for two weeks and also peaking at No. He is a multi-Grammy Award winning songwriter and record producer, a talented guitarist, and is widely considered to. It was the first album to receive the GMA Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. White Heart's discography includes thirteen albums, the most recent of which was released in 1997. He is an actor and writer, known for The Halcyon (2017), Robin Hood (2006) and Final Prayer (2013). He played football, basketball and ran track; he won the regional high-jump championship in 1978. As a Belmont University alumnus, Gordon has been recognized as a Morris Family Mentor & Lecture Series, Curb College Distinguished Lecturer, and in 2014 received the Curb College’s Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. His son, Dylan is already an accomplished mandolin player and builder, following in his father and grandfather’s musical footsteps. Gordon Kennedy is a multi Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer, world-class guitarist and visionary at the forefront of Nashville’s music community. [28] The album received two Grammy nominations. [39]. Jerry and Linda (Brannon) met as teenagers in 1957 while singing and performing on the Louisiana Hayride. 176176. Sections of this page. As a solo artist, Frampton released several albums including his international breakthrough album, the live release Frampton Comes Alive!. James' compositions have been credited on 494 recordings by a wide variety of artists. It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and released in August 1991. His brother, Bryan is tour manager and “all-purpose multi-threat guy for Garth,” explains Gordon. It went Gold in just under one year, being certified. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Kennedy sites his guitar pickin’, record producing dad and his singing mom, Linda Brannon, as his biggest musical influences. Rickie Lee Skaggs, known professionally as Ricky Skaggs, is an American country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. The couple relocated to Nashville in 1961 as the country music boom was just getting underway. The gleaming, folksy vocals of the players at the corner cafe, the resonant acoustics of four musicians: Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Phil Madeira, and Cindy Morgan Brouwer. [16] Kennedy later attended Belmont University in Nashville and during that time worked playing guitar in studios on music row. Wayne Kirkpatrick. He was one of the session musicians used by Bob Dylan in recording his classic album Blonde on Blonde, in 1966. Press alt + / to open this menu. i 2 (EYE) is Michael W. Smith's fifth album and his first platinum album. See full bio ». [16] As of 2017, Kennedy has composed for or recorded with Bonnie Raitt (five songs, including "Gypsy in Me"), [34] Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Charlie Daniels, Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, Faith Hill ("It Will Be Me"), Carrie Underwood ("The More Boys I Meet"), and others. The album, produced by Brown Bannister, features performances by popular Christian musicians of songs relating to a day from Chamber's book. [36] The song was first recorded in 1995 by Wynonna Judd and later Eric Clapton through the release of the John Travolta film, Phenomenon , in mid-1996. US country/bluegrass songwriter/musician, Type: Person, Gender: Male, Born: 1959-11-28, Area: Nashville Kennedy is the son of Jerry Kennedy and singer Linda Brannon. The Petty Junkies. The Great Adventure is the fifth album released by Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. Peter Frampton. Kennedy was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, but his family moved to Nashville in March 1961 when he was just over one year old. Gordon Kennedy (musician) Gordon Kennedy is a multi Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer, world-class guitarist and visionary at the forefront of Nashville’s music community. “It’s not just anyone I’d leave my family, the comfort of my home and my studio to hit the road with, but Garth’s an exception.”. Kennedy at Backstage Nashville Live, July 2018 (photo: Andrew Orth), PFR abandoned the name "Pray for Rain" and changed it to "PFR" because of a conflict with a. The song lay dormant several months, until Kennedy asked for a tape of the song's current state, then finished the tune to the extent he thought was enough to make a demo. Facebook. The album produced the singles "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16"; "Break on Me", "Wasted Time", "Blue Ain't Your Color", and "The Fighter". Get Gordon Kennedy setlists - view them, share them, discuss them with other Gordon Kennedy fans for free on setlist.fm! It’s now on display at the Musician’s Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville. He started his music career in civic theater and area night clubs. "Breathe" and "The Way You Love Me" both reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart; the former also peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the top pop song of 2000 according to Billboard Year-End. The album featured guest artists including members of the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, and the Allman Brothers. Gordon Kennedy Songwriter Desc: Gordon Scott Kennedy is a Nashville-based songwriter, musician, and record producer whose most successful composition is the international hit song "Change the World", recorded by Eric Clapton, for which Kennedy and his co-writers received a Grammy Award for … Gordon Kennedy has quite the resume. He recently produced Shifting Gears, the new solo project of his longtime friend Larry Stewart of Restless Heart. Original members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl worked with a continually-changing cast of band-mates. June 22, 2017 Gordon Kennedy is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, musician, and producer. As a songwriter, Kennedy has written 15 songs recorded by Garth Brooks. [13] Another of Kennedy's Brentwood Academy classmates was guitarist and bandmate Dann Huff who was, at that time, in the early days of forging his own path to becoming a first-call session guitarist in Nashville and Los Angeles, later recording with Madonna, [14] Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand. Gordon Kennedy. Gordon Kennedy's Celebration of Life - Family and friends gathered on a sunny Topanga afternoon on June 3rd to reminisce about Gordon Kennedy who passed away on May 5, 2007. Kennedy then drove from Nashville to Columbus, Ohio, to see Sims, who was recording there. Gordon and Tracey were married in 1987. With his love for storytelling, vintage guitars and his deep knowledge of music history, he has emerged as one of Music City’s most beloved Ambassadors. My brothers Bryan, Shelby and I couldn’t wait to hear from Roger Miller, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, The Statler Brothers or Jerry Lee Lewis.” The Meet the Beatles album his dad gave him when he was five, and more records from his father’s days as an executive of the Mercury Records office of Nashville, provided him with a diverse diet of music. [42] Kennedy served on the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Nashville Chapter) and on Belmont University's Advisory Board. Find Gordon Kennedy credit information on AllMusic AllMusic. Gordon Kennedy is a Grammy award-winning songwriter, (Change the World, co-written with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims), and is also a Grammy award-winning producer, (Best Pop Instrumental Album for Peter Frampton’s “Fingerprints”. [26] As of 2018, Kennedy has written or co-written 15 songs recorded by Brooks. He is a multi-Grammy Award winning songwriter and record producer, a talented guitarist, and is widely considered to. Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English rock musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. [16], In 1984 Kennedy joined the Christian rock band White Heart. Kennedy will join Garth Brooks 2019 Stadium Tour on guitar. On the album, Kennedy was featured on the song "Float". During the 1970s and 1980s, her songs were on Billboard magazine's pop, country, adult contemporary, and jazz charts, and she won two Grammy Awards with fellow musician and then-husband Kris Kristofferson. 1 on the Top Contemporary Christian charts. [43] In 1997 Kennedy was inducted into the Southern Songwriters Guild Hall of Fame. Guest on Everyone Loves Guitar. Gordon has two brothers and between them they continue the multi-talented music industry legacy of their parents. Huff became a successful record producer and would later hire Kennedy to play on many records that became gold and platinum recordings. 27 on the U.S. Reviewer Chris Smith described their music as "90s alt/rock feel with some classic rock elements with many comparisons to Pink Floyd". In Shreveport, LA. [7] Of the brothers, Gordon took music most seriously. For his work as a producer in the country music genre he has won several awards including the Musician of the Year award in 2001, 2004, and 2016 at the Country Music Association Awards and the Producer of the Year award in 2006 and 2009 at the Academy of Country Music. My Utmost for His Highest is the first of three albums of songs inspired by Oswald Chambers' devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Breathe is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Faith Hill. Clapton claimed that this would be his last world tour, making this album initially more valuable. 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