| As a child she had to have music to accompany
her every move. Even as a toddler she was content just sitting
next to the radio, listening. Always singing, always listening,
Kelley Lennon fed her soul.
Born Kelley Lennon Schimmel in Boston, Massachusetts, Kelley
moved to her current residence of Cumberland, Rhode Island,
at the age of eight where she began singing in her church choir.
She sang there for ten years, and during middle school and high
school sang for a number of choruses and specialized singing
groups. While in high school she began formal training and by
the time she entered Rhode Island College as a performance major,
Kelley’s
pastime had grown into a full-fledged passion. Pursuing music
as a career seemed the natural path to follow.
During college, Kelley served as the opening act for local performers
before beginning to do shows of her own. Performing to sold-out
crowds and attracting considerable attention in the New England
area, Kelley’s wit and banter, along with a warm and genuine
personality, made her a crowd favorite. With an extensive repertoire
consisting of popular music, Broadway’s best, classic Jazz
tunes, and unforgettable Standards, Kelley charms audiences of
all ages. To expand her musical experience, Kelley became the
lead singer of a Top 40 band, performed in numerous plays and
musicals, and developed her own production company, KLS Productions,
all while still attaining Dean’s List every semester at
Rhode Island College. She graduated from college magna cum laude,
in May 2001.
Kelley’s career started to escalate to a different level
when she began opening for National Acts such as the legendary
Herb Reed and the Platters, The Rascals, and Kings Row. In addition
she has performed the National Anthem at the Fleet Center for
the Boston Celtics, as well as at the Pilot Pen International
Tennis Finals. Kelley’s most celebrated accomplishment was
her success on Ed McMahon’s online Star Search competition
called, NextBigStar.com. Kelley won first place in this nationwide
contest in the Pop/Female Vocalist category in Orlando, Florida,
in July of 2000. As a result of her winnings, Kelley recorded
her first original song, Anymore Goodbyes, at Sony Studios in
New York City. This song was then used on the soundtrack for an
independent film called, “Serial Intentions.” Shortly
after that, Kelley was asked by the Farrelly Brothers to appear
as an extra in their movie, “Shallow Hal.”
In April of 2003, Kelley was chosen to be a featured singer at
the New York International Music Festival, where she performed
at Madison Square Garden and Le Bar Bat in New York City. In 2003,
Kelley was selected to be in the contestant pool for CBS’
Star Search in Hollywood, CA. That same year, Kelley was a featured
vocalist for a showcase sponsored by Talent in Motion Magazine.
The showcase was held at B.B. King’s in New York City and
in September, the magazine published an article spotlighting Kelley’s
talents.
In February 2004, Kelley made her theatrical concert debut at
the prestigious Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, RI. Backed by a
talented 6-piece jazz band, Kelley wowed the audience with her
jazzy interpretations of classic Standards, bringing a show that
is still being talked about today. A newspaper review of that
career defining concert published the following, “I have
always loved those magical moments you just don’t hear anymore—you
know when the beautiful girl stands in the spotlight and sings
the perfect song. And you know it’s perfect because you
can hear a pin drop as the entire audience hangs on her every
lovely note and just melts…that is what an evening with
Kelley Lennon is like…” Kelley returned to the Stadium
Theatre for an encore performance February 5, 2005, and most recently
moved her show to The Oprheum Theatre in Foxborough, MA in June
of 2005. In April 2005,Kelley returned from New York City where
she performed at the prestigious Rainbow Room as part of a campaign
called, Providence Night & Day, an effort to promote tourism
to the city.
In April of 2006, Kelley beat out 400 contestants to be selected
to perform the National Anthem at Fenway Park for the Boston Red
Sox. As a loyal fan, this was such an honor for Kelley. Most recently,
she and her Jazz band headlined the Verizon Jazz Stage at Providence’s
Waterfire playing to one of the largest crowds they have seen.
In July, Kelley and her band completed their 4th sold out show
at Chan’s as part of their prestigious Egg Rolls and Jazz
Series.
Currently, Kelley performs regularly at area clubs, lounges,
and restaurants, as well continuing to do her own concerts, and
benefits/fundraisers. She works during the day in the Marketing
Department of a local credit union, while still devoting every
spare moment to furthering her musical career. Her incredible
work ethic and focus, combined with 100% heart, are what drive
Kelley to dedicate herself to the one thing she truly loves.
Like she did years before, Kelley is still always singing, always
listening. No doubt, Kelley Lennon is a name you too will soon
be listening for.
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