Buddy "Holly" Kelly

About the Artist

Born in Van Buren, this Arkansas native began his musical journey in September of 1973, at the age of 11, due to the untimely death of his hero the late Jim Croce. "I was watching T.V. one night in July of '73, Wolfman Jack's Midnight Special to be exact, when this guy came on singing a song called "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown". I thought it was the coolest song ever. Still do. Two months later he was killed in a plane crash while out on a make-up tour. I knew right then that I wanted to be a singer/songwriter."... Buddy got his first guitar in 1981 and began teaching himself to play through books, tapes, friends suggestions, and hands on experience. He had his first tune penned by the end of 1982. He has 80 songs copyrighted so far. "I choose quality over quantity."... Over the years, his tunes have been played on the radio in 7 states. He has won finalist, runner up, and suggested artist awards through VH-1's song of the year contest. He is also a two-time karaoke champion. Almost 32 years to the day of his hero's death, Buddy answered the call from a local radio station to enter an on air karaoke contest He became KOOL 104.7 FM's, Fort Smith, Arkansas, radio contests very first winner. What did he sing? Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" of course! He won again a few weeks later singing Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road". Not bad for a guy who's never been on tour! "Well you know, being a touring performer is a hard, hard life. I like playing and singing for my local friends. At 46, I'm not a spring chicken anymore. I'm more like a late summer! :) My reality is, I've got an outstanding day-job and a new home in the country. I can't just throw that away to go chasing rainbows. I just have to keep working at it and hope that the business either pulls me, or at least some of my tunes, in someday. It's okay with me if I'm not the one to sing them on the road."... He is a member of BMI and The Americana Music Association... His demo's are produced through the underground network known as Fat Rabbit Records. Talented musicians that consist of former, and current, members of "Gray Ghost", "Black Oak Arkansas", and "Judge Parker."...He's recently worked with Dennis Smith at www.smithtrax.com as well.. Strange but true, he's also known as a Jeff Goldblum look-alike!