Irene Kelley New Bluegrass Single
A Journey of Metaphors and Imagery
Irene Kelley / Steve Leslie
Really thought about covering the song, “Snowbird” by Anne Murray as this has been a long time favorite. I got with another longtime friend and co-writer Steve Leslie from EMI publishing days. Steve had a great hook line, “Yellow Brick Highway” and I of course have a love of the movie The Wizard of Oz. This gives a nod to the yellow brick road and opens us up for many great
metaphors and imagery. Between the inspiration of Snowbird, The Wizard of Oz and Steve’s great line, we had our song in a very short time. This is one of my favorites.
Yellow Brick Highway is the latest single from Irene's fourth full-length bluegrass album Snow White Memories, which includes guest appearances by luminaries like Trisha Yearwood, The Kruger Brothers, Ronnie Bowman and was co-produced by Kelley and her daughter Justyna Kelley. Snow White Memories has already garnered three songs that topped the Bluegrass Today Charts at #1. Her rendition of the classic rock band Kansas’ tune, “Can I Tell You,” will surely surprise and delight fans. The Washington Post – “great warmth and clarity.”
A Pennsylvania coal miners granddaughter, Kelley went from singing lead with the bluegrass band Redwing to Nashville and a pair of major label singles. While her performing career didn't take off back then, her songwriting career took flight. An exceptional co-writer, she had her hand in songs recorded by Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Rhonda Vincent, Claire Lynch, Darrell Scott, The Whites, the Osborne Brothers, and Bill Anderson. Returning full speed to bluegrass with 2014s acclaimed Pennsylvania Coal, her solo career soared, establishing as a well-rounded bluegrass vocalist and performer as well as a top songwriter.
