Pete and Maura Kennedy, known nationally to Americana/folk-rock fans as The Kennedys, have been busy in the recording studio. Their next album, Smoketree, is set for release independently on August 21, 2026 and is the follow-up to Headwinds (2023), which spent a month at #1 on the national Folk DJ chart.

Smoketree consists of all original, newly written songs that reflect their feelings on things both timely and timeless: environmental concerns, social upheaval as families and entire populations flee violence, the search for peace in the world and peace in one’s heart. All of these are touched upon with their trademark upbeat tone of uplift and encouragement.

Maura and Pete played and sang all of the tracks on Smoketree, producing and engineering in their own studio in the Hudson Valley. “We like to take our time and let the music grow naturally,” Maura says. “We used a lot of rootsy, mostly acoustic instruments on this one: 5-string banjo, mandolin, and harmonica, as well as pedal steel, Rickenbacker 12-string, and a twangy Telecaster. After three decades, we’re proud to still be growing creatively.”

1. Like an Angel
2. Without Us
3. Long Road to Freedom
4. Girl on a Motorcycle
5. Smoketree
6. Song for a Midday Dawn
7. A Star to Guide You
8. When a Home Becomes a Castle
9. Meant To Do
10. Puzzlewood
11. Heal You
12. Seeds of Peace

On what is a simply mesmerizingly, cultured and dutifully soulful new recording, the duo - who have been going strong for more than 30 years now - open on the smoothly ambient Like an Angel and the troubadour-imbibed Without Us and then we get gifted the harmoniously melodious Long Road to Freedom, the 70’s folk-hued Girl on a Motorcycle, the free-flowing title track Smoketree and the lush elegance of Song for a Midday Dawn.

Along next is the rhythmically supple A Star to Guide You and then we get a beautiful yearn that threads throughout the soft foot tapper When a Home Becomes a Castle, the robustly engaging Meant To Do and an affecting Puzzlewood, the set rounding out on an emotive urgency that drives Heal You, coming to a close on the acoustically sculpted musical wonderment of Seeds of Peace.

The Kennedys Tour Schedule 2026:
Aug 29, 2026 - Stoltz Listening Room at Avalon Theatre | Easton, MD
Aug 30, 2026 - Hank Dietel’s Tavern | Rockville, MD
Sept 4, 2026 - Burren Backroom | Somerville, MA
Sept 5, 2026 - Peterborough Folk Music Society Concert | Peterborough, NH
Sept 6, 2026 - Plymouth Folk & Blues Fest | Plymouth, VT
Sept 13, 2026 - Northern Light Concert | Washington, NJ
Sept 25, 2026 - Jamey’s House of Music | Lansdowne, PA
Sept 27, 2026 - City Winery | New York, NY
Oct 2, 2026 - 443 Social Club & Lounge | Syracuse, NY
Oct 3, 2026 - Cafe Veritas | Rochester, NY
Oct 4, 2026 - Night Eagle Café | Ithaca, NY
Oct 10, 2026 - FocusMusic Concert | Gaithersburg, MD
Oct 17, 2026 - Turning Point Café | Piermont, NY
Oct 18, 2026 - Godfrey Daniel’s | Bethlehem, PA
Oct 25, 2026 - Jammin’ Java - Maura’s birthday show | Vienna, VA
Oct 31, 2026 - Phoenicia Playhouse | Phoenicia, NY
Nov 6, 2026 - SAMW Fall Camp | Groton, MA
Nov 8, 2026 - WUMB Member concert, Bull Run | Shirley, MA
Nov 15, 2026 - Blues Café | Southbury, CT
Nov 21, 2026 - Town Hall, Annual John Lennon Tribute | New York, NY
Nov 29, 2026 - Caffe Lena | Saratoga Springs, NY

Official Purchase Link

www.kennedysmusic.com