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6 Degrees Entertainment

Josh Kelley Josh Kelley

'Word Up!'

Singer–songwriter Josh Kelley is eager to announce the October 10th release of his third album, Just Say the Word. Entirely written, produced and performed by Kelley, “Just Say the Word” demonstrates an eclectic range of the artist’s recent musical and personal evolution: “I often heard people say that sometimes you just wake up in life and realize that you want to be better – well, that’s what happened to me about one year ago. I became a better guitar player, drummer, piano player, bass player, singer and songwriter. I found a new love in my life and an extra spark to my passion for music. "Just Say the Word" is a direct reflection of my growth. I had a vision for this record and finally there was only one cook in the kitchen.”

Kelley has independently partnered with manager Debbie Wilson of Wilspro Management to market and distribute the new material in a unique way. On June 6th, the album made a very successful pre-release launch on iTunes that lifted Kelley to the #1 position among all iTunes folk artists. On June 13th, “Just Say the Word” boasted a #27 position on iTunes Top Albums.

Kelley broke through in 2001 on Hollywood Records with “For The Ride Home,” an album that showcased his no-nonsense expressiveness and disarmingly genuine delivery. These qualities were exemplified in the top five smash "Amazing," and follow-up top ten hit "Everybody Wants You." In early 2004, he left Oxford, Miss. for Los Angeles where he interacted with fellow songwriters and players, further refining his skills while determining where he wanted to take his music next. It all culminated with the sessions for his second Hollywood Records album, “Almost Honest.”

How did the making/recording of this new album, Just Say The Word differed from your previous albums? "WELL, FIRST OF ALL I DID THIS RECORD ON MY OWN IN MY HOME STUDIO. MY APPROACH WAS TO MAKE MYSELF HAPPY AND NOT FOCUS ON WHAT EVERYONE ELSE THOUGHT MY MUSIC SHOULD SOULD LIKE."

Congratulations on having the album that reached #27 on ITunes. That Must have been thrilling for you. Where were you when you found out the news? "I WAS IN MY FIANCES HOUSE IN LA - I WAS MORE RELEVED THAN EXCITED. HARD WORK PAYING OFF IS A VERY FREEING FEELING."

Going back a bit, you put your music on Napster and told people about it and it caught on; a smart move. How was it, trying to get your music heard in the earlier days? "I WOULD JUST TRY TO BOOK AS MANY SHOWS AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP THE AUDIENCES VERY ENTERTAINED - I'M NOT SURE HOW PEOPLE DID IT BEFORE THE INTERNET!"

How has the tour been going along? How has the audience's response been to your new music? Any funny tour stories to pass along?! "THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST USA TOUR WE'VE EVER DONE! I'VE FINALLY BECOME AN ABSOLUTE ENTERTAINER! WHEN IT COMES TIME IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU ARE REALLY PLAYING FOR YOUR DINNER - A SWITCH FLIPS AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN EMBRASSMENT DOESN'T PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR LIFE ANYMORE. GETTING IT DONE AND HAVING FUN BECOMES BOSS. I WAS PLAYING ON STAGE, LAST SHOW, AND SOMEONE DRESSED IN A FULL MONKEY COSTUME CAME ON STAGE AND SAT RIGHT BEHIND ME. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FRIEND PLAYING A END OF TOUR JOKE. BUT COME TO FIND OUT EVEN THE CLUB OWNERS DIDN'T KNOW WHO DID IT! UNSOLVED MYSTERY I GUESS!!"

I watched the video for "Pop Game." It states in the credits that you directed and produced it. You are one creative individual. Whose concept was it to animate the video? "THE CONCEPT WAS RANDOM - I ASKED MY MANAGEMENT TO HOLD A CONTEST TO MAKE A VIDEO FOR POP GAME. I WROTE AND PRODUCED IT AND GAVE THEM THE GUIDELINES. IT TURNED OUT PRETTY COOL FOR A RANDOM CONTEST IDEA. WE DO A LOT OF THOSE."

Your lyrics paint a picture and tell a story. From where do you find inspiration to your song-writing? "I HAVE NO RHYME OR REASON TO MY INSPIRATION. IT CAN BE OUT OF PURE BOREDOM SOMETIMES - OR IT COULD BE THE FEEL OF NEW GUITAR - A FIGHT - SUCCESS - ETC."

In your bio it states that you started playing guitar at age 11. How old were you when started writing your own material? "I STARTED WRITING ORIGINALS AT AGE 13. ONE DAY JUST DECIDED I HAD THE CHOPS AND NEVER LOOKED BACK."

Now with 3 hit albums to your credit, what other ventures do you see on the horizon for you? "I'VE BEEN PRODUCING OTHER ARTISTS A LOT NOW. IT'S BEEN A PASSION FOR A LONG TIME - AND NOW THE TIMING IS RIGHT - CONFIDENCE PLAYS QUITE A BIG ROLE AS WELL.'

You recently performed in a benefit concert. Do you plan on doing any more benefit shows in the future, perhaps? "MAYBE - THE CAUSES ARE ALWAYS WONDERFUL, BUT BENEFIT PROMOTERS ARE NOT CONCERT PROMOTERS AND I'VE ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES FOR FUTURE BENEFIT SHOWS. ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION - PROBABLY!"

Now that you have your own label do you plan on signing other artists to it? "ABSOLUTELY - WE HAVE OUR EYE ON MANY NOW - IVE GOT THE BEST A&R DEPT EVER!"

If you could say anything to your fan base, what message would you like to get across here today? "YOUR LIFE CAN BE CHANGED INSTANTLY BY PURCHASING JUST SAY THE WORD FOR THE CONVIENENT PRICE OF $9.99 - ITS REALLY THAT SIMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

If you could cover, in your own style, any (cheesy) '80s pop song which would it be ... and why?! "I WANT TO COVER 'BIG BOTTOM' BY SPINAL TAP! IT MIGHT NOT REALLY BE THE '80S BUT I LOVE IT!"

Exclusive Magazine LOVE Penguins, do you?! "YES, I LOVE THEM TOO! THEY TASTE GREAT WITH GRAVY!"

Interviewed by Eva M. Trudeau

www.JoshKelley.com

“Just Say The Word” Audio Stream

CD Purchase Link



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