Sandy Kelly’s Musical Journey: A Special Tour with guests and New Single ‘Old Love’ with Mike Hanrahan
Sandy Kelly and Mike Hanrahan release “Old Love” on Friday, February 9th, the third single from Sandy’s new album ‘Leaving It All Behind’ which was released in tandem with her Autobiography ‘In My Own Words’ last October. Sandy has also announced her “Leaving It All Behind Tour”, which is a special series of live performances that invites audiences into an intimate experience with the renowned artist. This tour is not just a musical journey but a voyage through Sandy’s life stories intertwined with songs that have defined her career. The eleven-date tour includes appearances at National Concert Hall Dublin, The Everyman Cork and many more across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ticket information for all dates available at sandykellymusic.com
Special guests on the tour include Ashley Campbell, Thor Jensen, and Niall McCabe, adding their unique talents to the mix. Ashley, in particular, brings a legacy of music royalty as Glen Campbell’s daughter, contributing her own flair and continuing the Campbell family’s musical tradition. Ashley most recently released an album with her partner in life and music, virtuoso guitarist Thor Jensen, as one half of the powerful duo Campbell Jensen. Plus, Clare Island native Niall McCabe brings his natural distinct voice, which is earning him a growing loyal fanbase, with his recent album tour schedule bringing him across Ireland, UK, Europe, and North America. With Sandy’s live band in tow, this promises to be an intimate evening of new and old songs, intertwined with personal stories from Sandy’s riveting yet turbulent life in music and featuring the very best emerging country and folk talent.
‘Old Love’ was originally released in 1992 by folk duo Neal and Leandra. A song that tells the story of an older couple’s undiminishing love for one another through the trials of their lifetime together. A song that Sandy personally chose to be on her new album, where the material was carefully selected to reflect the time and place Sandy is in her own life, with the hope that most of her listening audience would find a connection with the music. Sandy knew ‘Old Love’ should be performed as a duet and invited her long-time friend, Irish Trad/Rock legend and founding member of Stockton’s Wing, Mike Hanrahan, to sing with her on the track.
Following a long hiatus from the recording studio, in October 2023, Sandy released her first studio album in thirty years, in tandem with her self-penned life story, ‘In My Own Words’, published by O’Brien Press. The single, as with all of the new album ‘Leaving It All Behind’, was recorded at what was Johnny Cash’s personal studio, Cash Cabin in Nashville and produced by five-time Grammy Award-winning producer John Carter Cash (Johnny Cash, June Carter, Loretta Lynn) alongside Sandy’s son, Willie Kelly and an A-list Nashville session band. Mastered by Pete Lyman (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker, John Prine) at Infrasonic Sound, Nashville.
Twelve tracks, traversing the lines of classic country and contemporary folk, including re-cut acoustic versions of Sandy’s duets with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, ‘Woodcarver’ and ‘
Don’t miss this very special intimate evening with Sandy Kelly, Ashley Campbell, Thor Jensen and Niall McCabe, coming to a venue near you in March 2024.
Sandy Kelly’s ‘Leaving It All Behind’ 2024 Tour dates:
1 MAR – Aislann, Kilcarr
2 MAR – Glór, Ennis
7 MAR – Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo
8 MAR – Ruby Room at Royal Theatre, Castlebar
9 MAR – The Source Arts Centre, Thurles
11 MAR – National Concert Hall, Dublin
14 MAR – Marketplace Theatre, Armagh
16 MAR – Hall at Island Arts, Lisburn
21 MAR – Ballroom at INEC, Killarney
22 MAR – The Everyman Theatre, Cork
28 MAR – An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny
All tickets available from www.sandykellymusic.com
“It was my pleasure to sing with my favourite female artist, Sandy Kelly. In America, she has been Ireland’s greatest ambassador. She won the hearts of everyone who saw her. I am honoured to be included as one of the guest artists on her album.”
– Johnny Cash
“Sandy Kelly is, in my opinion, one of the top fifteen female artists in the world.”
– Willie Nelson