In 2011, Pete Kennedy moved to Nashville. Now, he is all ready for his debut homecoming tour which will take in eight concert shows, starting on 12 February in The Spirit Store, Dundalk, and concluding in his native Birr on Saturday, 21 February.

Born and raised in Clareen, a few miles from Birr, Pete grew up like many other young lads in the area, hurling with his home parish club, a family connection going back through the years. But music always held an attraction for him and Ray Lynam from the neighbouring county of Westmeath was among his early country music heroes.

“Ray is an immensely talented performer who has garnered respect right across the board. I grew up listening to him. He is an absolute legend. I also rate Jimmy Buckley highly. I enjoy his shows and performances.

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“I have huge regard for the Sheerin family from the Athlone region. They are such a talented family. I remember, as a teenager, seeing some of them perform in the Palace Bar in Birr and I knew right away they had special talent. The Sheerin Family Band play monthly shows in Cooney’s Hotel in Ballymahon and I have featured as a guest performer with them. They are so down to earth and such a brilliant combination,” says Pete.

Now in his mid-30s, Pete Kennedy is thrilled with his decision to move to Nashville.

“In November 2011, I got invited to Nashville to perform at the International Artists Showcase, organised by the Country Music Association. It was a brilliant experience. I featured on a special interview on Inside Music Row, which is a popular show and it gives you good exposure.

“I love it here now. So much revolves around music in Nashville. I did some honkytonks when I came out here first. It is amazing that people with so many other jobs in Nashville, like the insurance business and other professions, try their hand at the music in the evenings and at night.

“That’s the atmosphere of the place. It is like a big family and most are more than willing to do you a good turn. I find myself very much at ease in Nashville. I really love what I am doing now.”

These times, Pete finds himself at the heart of the songwriting community.

Collaborations are big in Nashville and Pete has teamed up with a number of writers, including Earl Budd Lee (Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton), Jan Buckingham (Lee Greenwood, Whitney Houston), Beau Fuller (Kristy Lee Cook, Jesse Keith Whitley) and American Idol and Grand Ole Opry star Ayla Brown.

“Songwriting is an amazing game,” says Pete. “I was speaking recently to the girl who wrote the song that won The Voice (America) competition and which was performed by a country singer, Craig Wayne Boyd. She told me that she had penned the song 14 years ago. Sometimes songs can be around for several years before they suddenly become massive hits. It’s a strange game. I have a few artists rooting at some of my songs now and I have a few others on hold.”

The man from the Faithful County recently found himself in special company in Nashville’s famous Bluebird Café. There he performed alongside songwriting legends such as Larry Weiss, who wrote Glen Campbell’s massive hit, Rhinestone Cowboy, as well as Wood Newton, Victoria Shaw and ’80s’ pop superstar Tiffany. He has also featured on the hit ABC television show, Nashville.

Awards

Since his musical debut in 2010, Pete has won international music awards, toured extensively across the US and Europe. He gained international recognition when his Nashville Sessions album was nominated for album of the year and song of the year (I Am The One) at the BCMA Awards in London in 2012, winning the album category.

In the aftermath of that accolade, Pete went on to perform two major UK tours with pop icon Neil Sedaka and soul veterans The Stylistics. His most recent album features Pete’s original songs as well as a duet with Eban Brown, lead singer with The Stylistics, on Georgia On My Mind.

Heading back home across the Atlantic to perform his first Irish concert tour is the stuff of dreams for Pete, four years after he departed these shores.

“Ireland is embedded in my heart and I know the minute I get there I will get that special feeling that comes with being among your own. I am bringing over a fine band from Nashville who will accompany me on all my dates.

“My guest artist is Patrick Sean McGrath who is also based here in Nashville but whose roots are in Co Galway. He has played support to Toby Keith and is a fine entertainer. He was over in Ireland on a previous tour with Billy Yates. Some of his compositions have made it to the top 10 here in America.

“While I will be doing a lot of my own material, I will certainly be including songs that are well known across the board. I love performing some of the big songs by The Eagles and Garth Brooks, so they are certain to feature in all of my Irish shows.

“I hear the Birr concert is nearing sellout at this stage, so that should be a brilliant night back home. You can tell them my accent is still as pure Offaly as the day I left for Nashville,” laughs Pete.

You can catch Pete Kennedy and his Nashville Band, plus guest Sean Patrick McGrath, in concert at a number of venues next month. See www.petekennedy.net for more.