joHn Kennedy

The leader of Kennedy’s Kitchen, joHn is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer, producer, and promoter. But it's his voice . . . rich, deep voice, an instrument unto itself. 

joHn is a founding member of the traditional Irish band 'Seamaisin' and co-produced two recordings with that group ‘Joseph Harvey's Fiddle was Left in the Rain’ and ‘Seamaisin: Live at The Tin Shop’. Seamaisin also produced music for the sound track of the short-film, Araby, an adaptation of James Joyce's short story of the same name. Araby was nominated for an Academy Award in the Student Narrative Film category. The band ‘Seamaisin’ can also be heard in one of the scenes from the movie ‘Rudy’. 

joHn is the 2004 All-Ireland Fleadh Silver Medalist in Accompaniment, competing on guitar. He has won numerous Gold and Silver medals in traditional singing and accompaniment at Midwest Fleadhs. 

joHn's solo CD ‘I'll Learn To Fly’ was chosen by WVPE FM 88.1's Back Porch program as one of the top ten folk releases of 1998. His song, The Great Kankakee was featured in the 2018 documentery, “The Northern Everglades, The Grand Kankakee Marsh”.   

joHn is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Chile 79-81), and has a doctorate from the University of Notre Dame in Development Economics, and received tenure while teaching at Saint Joseph College of Rensselear, Indiana.  . 

joHn plays a Fender 1100 Acoustic Guitar, usually in DADGAD tuning, a handmade Jim Shenk guitar (Wooden Music), and a Flat Iron Bouzouki. 

Quotes: 
"His voice is absolutely phenomenal" Helen Norris, Senior Life, October 2001. 

"joHn Kennedy puts his whole heart into it." Andy Hughes, South Bend Tribune, March 16, 1996 

"The best storytelling songs that I've heard since Harry Chapin”  Overhead in the hallway while waiting to get into the bathroom at Fiddler’s Hearth in South Bend.

Photo by Rosie Ladewski