Casey Kelly (songwriter)

Casey Kelly is an American songwriter and musician.[1]

Casey Kelly
Casey Kelly the Performer and Multi-Instrumentalist
Background information
BornBaton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
GenresRock, Folk music, country
Occupation(s)Songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano
Years active1966–Present
Websitecaseykelly.net

Kelly has written several Grammy-nominated songs. His many hits include four Top Ten Country Music Hits: "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West (Grammy Nominated),[2] "Soon" by Tanya Tucker (Grammy Nominated),[3] "Somewhere Down the Line" by T G Shepherd and country music standard, "The Cowboy Rides Away" by George Strait. He works as a session player and singer and performs in clubs and concerts for audiences throughout the US and Europe. A frequent mentor, panelist and workshop contributor, Casey is a member of ASCAP, NSAI the Songwriters Guild of America Board of Councilors. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Art of Songwriting is his first published book.

Music career edit

Kelly began his career performing in Baton Rouge with a local group known as the Greek Fountains. He then moved to New York City to work as a session musician and singer, songwriter, arranger, music publisher, record producer and record company executive. He toured with Tom Rush, playing guitar, harmonica, and piano and then went to Los Angeles where he signed a recording deal with producer Joe Wissert through Warner Brothers Records. After releasing a single at Warner Brothers Records he moved on to A&M Records and formed the Luziana Band which was recorded by Jim Hilton.

His next label deal was at Elektra Records where he worked with producer Richard Sanford Orshoff, recording two nationally acclaimed LP's, "Casey Kelly" and "For Sale". He toured extensively opening shows and performing with various acts including America and Frank Zappa.[4]

Songwriting career edit

Recruited by famous publisher/producer Bob Montgomery, Kelly moved to Nashville in 1978, where he has lived ever since writing songs for many of the major publishers and artists. In addition to his top ten country hits, he also wrote “That Road Not Taken” by Joe Diffie, "Only Game in Town" by America and "Resign Yourself" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. He also had a radio hit with his own song "Poor Boy".[5]

Chart singles edit

The following is a list of Casey Kelly compositions that were chart hits.

Year Single Title Recording Artist Chart Positions
Billboard Country
1978 Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight
co-written with Julie Didier
Kenny Rogers and Dottie West 2
1984 Somewhere Down the Line
co-written with Lewis Anderson
T.G. Sheppard 3
1985 The Cowboy Rides Away
co-written with Sonny Throckmorton
George Strait 5
1993 Soon
co-written with Bob Regan
Tanya Tucker 2
1995 That Road Not Taken
co-written with Deborah Beasley
Joe Diffie 40

[6]

Recordings by Casey Kelly edit

  • 1972: "Casey Kelly" – Casey Kelly[7]
  • 1973: "For Sale" – Casey Kelly
  • 1995: "Himownself: The Hits" - Casey Kelly
  • 2017: "The Long Road to You" - Kelly&Ellis (Casey Kelly and Leslie Ellis)

Books Written by Casey Kelly edit

In 2011, Kelly and co-writer David Hodge released a self-help text for songwriters entitled The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Art of Songwriting.[8][9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Casey Kelly Songwriter". Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  2. ^ "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight - Kenny Rogers,Dottie West - Song Info - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  3. ^ "Soon - Tanya Tucker - Song Info - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "Casey Kelly Performer". Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  5. ^ "Casey Kelly Songwriter". Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  6. ^ "Casey Kelly". Discogs. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  7. ^ "Casey Kelly". Discogs. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  8. ^ Kelly, Casey; Hodge, David (August 2, 2011). The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Art of Songwriting. ALPHA. ISBN 978-1615641031.
  9. ^ "Complete Idiot's Guide to the Art of Songwriting by David Hodge". Retrieved November 24, 2016.