Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

KENNEDY ROSE

Country-pop female duo comprising successful country songwriters Mary Ann Kennedy (from Wisconsin) and Pam Rose (b Pamela Rose Thacker, Chattanooga). Kennedy was teaching choral music in junior high school when she decided to try her luck in Nashville '76; raised in Eau Gallie FL, Rose was a folksinger while attending Florida State U, worked in Atlanta '71-4; moved to Nashville '76. Both were signed by Pete Drake to a publishing deal, their partnership resulting in country hits for Restless Heart, Patty Loveless, Gail Davies, Carlene Carter, Lee Greenwood, Martina McBride etc. They inspired and influenced Pam Tillis, Emmylou Harris etc with their distinctive female point of view; they sessioned singing harmony and playing on hundreds of recordings.

Rose signed to Capitol and Epic as a solo singer with several minor country hits '77-80; sang and played guitar in group Calamity Jane along with Kennedy, Marshall Chapman and Linda Hargrove, the latter two being replaced by Mary Fielder and Linda Moore; signed to Columbia with minor country hits '81-2 and one self-titled album. They formed Kennedy Rose '85, opened for Sting on his Soul Cages tour and signed to his Pangaea Records; their first album Hai Ku '90 gained cult status, second Walk The Line '94 had Ray Kennedy as co-producer and a great pop-country sheen, seamless harmony, good lyrics and melodies. They continue to work as writers and session musicians.