The Kennedys (band)

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The Kennedys
Playing their ukuleles
Background information
Also known as	Pete and Maura Kennedy
Origin	Northhampton, Massachusetts
Genre(s)	folk-pop
Instrument(s)	Guitar/electric sitar/ukulele
Years active	1994 - present
Label(s)	Appleseed Recording
Associated acts	The Strangelings
Website	http://kennedysmusic.com
Members
Pete Kennedy Maura Kennedy

The Kennedys are an American folk-rock band, consisting of husband and wife Pete and Maura Kennedy. Their first album, River of Fallen Stars, was released under the name "Pete and Maura Kennedy"; they released all subsequent albums as "The Kennedys". They met in Austin, Texas in 1992, when Pete Kennedy was playing in Nanci Griffith's band, and for their first date, each drove 500 miles to meet at Buddy Holly's grave in Lubbock, Texas. Soon, Maura Boudreau joined Griffith's band as a harmony singer, and they began their career as a duo when they opened for her during her tour in Ireland. They are influenced by the Byrds and other 1960s rock and folk-rock artists. Their 1998 album Angel Fire featured many songs with literary references, such as "A Letter To Emily" and "Just Like Henry David".

When performing live Pete plays the acoustic guitar, electric sitar, and ukulele. Maura plays the acoustic guitar and the uke.

They have performed in clubs and theatres throughout the United States, a cruise, and at Bill Clinton's first and second inaugurations.

Pete is from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC. Maura grew up in Syracuse, New York. After many years living in the East Village in New York City in 2006 joined the many other folk musicians living in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Pete and Maura have joined with Chris and Meredith Thompson to form The Strangelings. When performing as the Strangelings they wear costumes and refrain from all on stage banter. The music included songs by both the Kennedys and the Thompsons in addition to traditional songs and covers. All the songs in each set are performed as a suite with no break between the songs.

In addition to their music career they are DJs on Sirius Satellite Radio.

[edit] Influences

Richard Thompson - They have recorded covers of "Wall of Death" and "How Will I Ever Be Simple Again". "Anna and the Magic Gown" on Stand is written in the style of Thompson's old band, Fairport Convention
The Beatles - They include at least one Beatles song at most performances
Bob Dylan - They have recorded covers "Chimes of Freedom" and "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall". They perform at the Bob Dylan Tribute Festival at the Warwick Valley Winery every year.
The Byrds - When they started writing songs they aimed for a sound similar to The Byrd's "Eight Miles High". They cover it on Songs of the Open Road".
Dave Carter - They often refer to him as the greatest songwriter of his generation. They cover "Happytown", "Gypsy Rose" and "When I Go"".