Kelly Jay Stephens


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Kelly Stephens picked up a ukulele at the age of four. At twelve years old he was playing guitar and keyboards professionally in local nightclubs. By the time he was fifteen, Kelly had become an accomplished guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and musical arranger, performing in concerts and recording studios. In 1977, at the age of seventeen, Kelly's talent gained him more than local recognition, as he was approached by the bandleader of Frank Sinatra's quintet with an invitation to fill the position of understudy to their guitarist.
Kelly is a versatile musician, as he has played a wide variety of musical styles including rock, country, jazz, pop and blues. some of favorite venues include The Stone and The Old Waldorf in San Francisco, along with the Circle Star Theatre, The Concord Pavilion and Konockti Harbor Resort. A native of Northern California, Kelly has been billed and performed with other known artists such as Huey Lewis and the News, Greg Kihn, America, Rita Coolidge, The Pretenders, The Knack, the Motels, Oingo Boingo, and blues greats B.B. King and Angel South.

During the "New Country" music hype, combining rock and country sound, Kelly performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage, billed with many well known country stars including Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings , Jesse Colter, Lee Greenwood, Eddie Rabbit, Loretta Lynn, The Forrester Sisters , Garth Brooks, Billie Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker, Trisha Yearwood, Lacy J. Dalton, Carlene Carter, Lori Morgan, McBride and The Ride, Highway 101, Roger Miller, Martina McBride, Steve Wariner, Sawyer Brown, Johnny Lee and Dan Seals.

For two consecutive years, 1990 and 1991, Kelly was awarded "Piano Player of the Year" and "entertainer of the Year" by the California Country Music Association. Kelly also played with the first country music band eve to perform on the stage of the San Francisco Opera House during the annual performing artist's fund-raiser "Fool de Rol" hosted by Dudley Moore.

For all of you loyal, die-hard Stoneground fans, Kelly played with Jo Baker and the Boys. Do you remember Joe Baker? We all do…God rest her soul.

Meet the Band!

         

Tim Barnes
Guitars/Vocals

Dana Moret
Vocals

Greg King
Bass/Vocals

Claudia Knauer
Vocals

Steve Price
Drums

Kelly Stephens
Keys/Guitar/Vocals