description
A dynamic presence on every bandstand she graces, singer Ms Kennedy brings a captivating soulfulness to the proceedings on the Kennedy Administration’s self-titled debut. Whether it’s the funk-laden opener “It’s Over Now,” her smoldering take on Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” or energized interpretation of Billy Preston’s “Will It Go Round in Circles,” her own nostalgic “Mama’s Kisses” and other compelling originals like the alluring “Finally,” the anthemic “Victory Song” or the group’s old school throwdown “Let’s Party,” the Michigan native and Brooklyn resident makes a stunning impression on her first recording.
“I like to describe her as a ‘true artist for no reason’,” says keyboardist-musical director and songwriting partner Ondre J. Pivec, who was born in the Czech Republic, also lives in Brooklyn and is currently touring with Grammy-winning singer Gregory Porter. “The minute we started playing together three years ago, something clicked right-away. It seemed like we both knew what to do to make things work. It was like magic.”
That magical connection developed on their longstanding Wednesday night residency at Groove, a strictly covers club in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. And while the Kennedy Administration delivered on that gig with the kind of crackling intensity of a modern day Rufus & Chaka Khan, Ms Kennedy and Ondre J also proved to be a potent songwriting team when they began collaborating on their originals. “It’s mostly a team of Ondre and myself when it comes to writing, then we’ll take it to the boys and then they start adding bits and pieces to it too, so then it becomes a group creative effort.”
The boys are bassist Chelton Grey and veteran drummer Nathaniel Townsley, who has played with Joe Zawinul, Richard Bona, Will Downing and Alejandro Sanz. Together with Ms Kennedy, Ondre J, superb backup vocalist Stephanie Fischer and special guest harmonica ace Gregoire Maret, who appears on the alluring bossa nova “Don’t Forget to Smile,” they create an irresistible vibe on their groove-heavy debut.
While putting the ‘fun’ in funk, Ms Kennedy also conjures up some thoughtful lyrics and meaningful messages on her original tunes. “This is really my first go as far as writing,” she confesses. “And through some of these songs, I’m having an honest, open conversation with a lot of things I don’t usually talk about —heartbreak, the New York experience and the daily struggle of being here, the feeling of loneliness that can set in from being in the big city.”
“Mama’s Kisses,” for instance, is about wanting that elusive ‘home feeling’ that you can’t always get from living alone in the Big Apple. “I talk to a lot of my friends and we still go home because we need that,” says Kennedy. “So that song is me wishing for that place where I really feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. And I can’t necessarily say that I’ve found that here in New York or have felt that feeling just yet. So it’s kind of a wishful thinking tune for me.”
Born in small-town Belleville, Michigan outside of Detroit Metro, Kennedy was born on a farm with hogs and chickens and cows. “Then we moved up to Saginaw Township and lived the suburban life — that really conservative, sheltered kind of Bible belt life,” she recalls.
After living in Chicago for a few years, she moved to New York in February of 2011 for what was supposed to be a six-week stint while working with a cruise line band. “Unfortunately, the job feel through so I spent my first year in New York basically almost homeless, bouncing from place to place. And every time I would try to get out of the city, something else would happen where I would be stuck here. And I was pretty angry for a while because I didn’t want to be in New York. I really felt out of place. But lo and behold, it worked out.”
That feeling of persevering through adversity comes across in “Victory Song.” As Kennedy explains, “I decided I should write a song that says despite the disappointment and sometimes failures along the way, I’m gonna rise out of this. We performed that song at Rockwood Music Hall, just voice and piano, and I still get chills thinking about it because I had the audience sing the refrain with me ‘I will overcome.’ To be in a room full of people singing that, it was just electric. And a lot of people were in tears, because it’s a powerful message, and it’s beyond just me. It’s a message that people from all walks of life can relate to.”
From one universal message to another, the Kennedy Administration switches gears and keeps it on the goodfoot with the infectious dance number “Let’s Party,” which conjures the upbeat vibe of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Celebrate” or Prince’s Purple Rain classic, “Let’s Go Crazy.” Says Kennedy, “There’s certain songs that you hear and it doesn’t matter where you are, your foot just gets to tappin’. ‘Let’s Party’ is one of those songs. I’ve seen older people, younger people, even babies dance to it. Everybody gets into it. I would love to see this song played at family reunions, graduation parties, wedding receptions, bar mitzvahs. I could imagine people working out to this song at the gym or playing it after their team wins the Super Bowl. I want it to be the soundtrack of your life.”
From funk throwdowns to alluring bossa nova, thoughtful storytelling and the ultimate party song, the Kennedy Administration shows an uncommon diversity on its auspicious first outing. As Kennedy puts it, “I don’t want us to be pigeonholed. I want that freedom and flexibility. Because we really love music, so why not try everything?”
Adds the Brooklyn-based singer who makes such a striking debut on Kennedy Administration, “I was discouraged a lot after moving to New York but I just kept pushing. My parents were not happy that I didn’t pursue an education and I was just doing music. They didn't like seeing their only daughter struggle. Meanwhile, I was just gung-ho on performing and doing music somehow and not having a mentor, not having anyone leading me or guiding me. So for me, this band is just an example of what happens when you follow your heart…what happens when you wipe those tears and you put those bandaids on the knees and you keep fighting.”
Author: Bill Milkowski
credits & tracklisting
It’s OVER NOW
Kennedy, Ondre J, Nathaniel Townsley, Farrah Boulé, Jay White
If it meant that much to you, you should have told me / Stop walking around here like you own me / It’s been too many days too many nights without you by my side / Don’t call me again, ain’t your friend / no you can’t catch a ride
If it meant that much to you, you should have told me / Stop walking around here like we’re homies / I got too many friends too many fans to deal with the likes of you / Call it a day you’ve been replaced do what’s best for you
Chorus
And it’s over now / And we Both know how /
Can’t believe it’s the end / I’m in love with your friend and it’s over now
If it meant that much to you, you should have told me / How convenient now you want to show me / Want to fly me away expensive date and tickets for Broadway / Wanna treat me right hold on tight / no sorry I can’t stay
If it meant that much to you, you should have told me / How convenient now you want to love me / We spent too many years too many days without you not doing right / No need to pretend or be friends no more need to fight
Chorus
And it’s over now / And we both know how /
Can’t believe it’s the end / I’m in love with your friend / and it’s over now
Rap
Okay didn’t I say this day was coming / You better have my money / Okay said we made love in the morning / By night fall you were running / You don’t say you love me / Then turn right around and try to ugh me / Cold play you tried to rock me / No you can’t have a sip of my sake / In plain view you wild out /
Came through no time out / I played you - you’ll find out / Could have killed you when I found out / Yea... all bets off got me all pissed off like it’s all my fault / Yea... talk that talk better walk that walk or put it in park, yea... /
You shoulda coulda woulda sound like you coping a plea / You shoulda coulda woulda don’t mean jack to me
Bridge
When it came to love / I did it better / Thought what we had could last forever /
Now it’s clear to me that we couldn’t be
Chorus
And it’s over now / And we both know how /
Can’t believe it’s the end / I’m in love with your friend / and it’s over now
Chorus - answer
As a matter of fact / Ain’t looking back / Your love I don’t need it / No need to pretend / This is the end / File has been deleted / No need for the game / That drove me insane /
this won’t be repeated / So now This is the end / I’ll say it again / This is the end / There’s no turning back
NOTHING ELSE WILL DO
Kennedy, Ondre J, Nathaniel Townsley, Illspokin Five am just leaving the club / Lipstick smudged / Deep conversations about political relations / got me stuck / Mental stimulation mixed with my imagination / now I think I wanna touch / Would it be to bold of me to ask for you to stay / please stay, baby
Chorus
I wanna wake up every morning baby / Next to you nothing else will do / Wake up every morning baby / Next to you nothing else will do
Can’t say this is routine / clubs ain’t really my scene / Don’t hang out much / There’s something in the air that made me stare / Kinda wanna take it there / You got something that I want / something that I need / It’s like you’re air to me / I know I’m talking way too fast but we have might last / you could be what I’m missing
Chorus
I wanna wake up every morning baby / Next to you nothing else will do / Wake up every morning baby / Next to you nothing else will do
Rap
Well good evening / Let us Even the odds / One on one / We can do that math later on /
I’ve mastered the task of tomorrow / So if you want the God to slumber till the morn /
lover, no problem / It’s in the cards / you know who you’re dealing with / We dream big / and stars don’t know what a ceiling is /
you are the perfect beat / Inspiring fire on /
Underneath & in between sheets / Whew! water please / when do we take a breathe /
probably a quarter three / since you called on me / I’m a’ over achieve / like accordion get stretched out accordingly / fingers pressing more than keys / but, but more importantly / connecting on a higher level embracing our contrasts / digging through the early rubble from trouble in our past / finding diamonds vibing on islands free of the mice traps / damn you weren’t lying when you said you woke up like that / beautiful
Bridge
All you have to do is say yes / By now we’re both impressed / And I think you are the best I’ll ever have
Chorus
Wake up every morning baby / Next to you nothing else will do
DOn’t FORGET TO SMILE
Kennedy, Ondre J Like tulips in a field of snow / Or a tree that won’t seem to grow / You feel a little out of place / Like you haven’t found your space / In this crazy world
Like a rainbow without the sun / You try so hard to make it right / You feel a little out of
place / Or that you haven’t found your space /
In this crazy world
Chorus 1
Everyday in life there’s a chance to be / More than what you see in a magazine / And regardless how you feel today don’t let / The past get in your way and don’t forget
Chorus 2
Everyday in life there’s a chance to be / More than what you see in a magazine / And regardless how you feel today don’t let / The past to get in your way and don’t forget / To smile
FINALLY
Kennedy, Ondre J, Nathaniel Townsley, F. Boulé, J. White, J. Peters
Spoken Verse
It’s a feeling you get in the morning / A feeling you get in the evening / I’m telling you now I’m on it / Such an incredible feeling / Baby can you tell that I want it / Can you tell that I need it / It’s about seizing this moment /
Better act like you want it
Pre Chorus
Two three / Three four / Four on the floor / This groove we have / Makes me want more sit back and stay / Download and play this melody
Chorus
You keep loving me / Finally it’s for real you give me melody / Always keep it real you keep on loving me / Time and time again I feel your energy / It’s what you do to me / You keep loving me / Finally it’s for real you give me melody / Always keep it real you keep on loving me / Time and time again I feel you energy
Spoken Verse
It’s a feeling you get when you know it / A feeling you get when you see it / I’m telling you now there’s nothing / Coming in between this feeling / Can you tell that I want it /
Can you tell that I need it / It’s about really loving something / Enough to set it free
Spoken Ending
You give me life / You give me love / Yea that’s right
Background Ending
You Keep On Loving / You Keep On Loving / You Keep On Loving
VICTORY SONG
Kennedy, Ondre J Spoken intro
It is within the scheme of life that we all experience some form of pain, defeat, frustration. And we might look around and see others and wonder why it is that they’re doing well and better. But you have to know that regardless of your circumstance and situation you can overcome. We shall overcome!
Today’s pain tomorrow’s victory / Faded shadows of fears / Won’t let the pass destroy or hinder me / I will overcome
Today’s pain consumed the best of me / Silent loud with shame / No hope little faith / Misplaced destiny / But I will overcome / I will overcome
Bridge
Eyes filled with tears / I’m letting go to hold on / Lived too long in fear / Now I’m ready to run on / All all of my life / Been waiting to breathe / Waiting to live
My heart is now healed / I see the best of
me / Soul finally at peace / I am strong I am free / I now live in victory / For I have overcome / I have overcome / I have overcome / I have overcome
MAMA’S KISSES
Kennedy, Ondre J, Nathaniel Townsley, Chelton Grey Blue skies highlight / Memories of a simple time / Perfect weather / Place me back on daddy’s knee / Old friend calls me / Reminds me of what it used to be / Can’t help and wonder / What’s left for me to see
Chorus
I remember what love used to be / Mama’s kisses were the perfect remedy / You be careful is what they said to me / Now that I’m here my vision is clear, I’m coming home
Living the big city life now / Finding my way or so it seems / No more hesitation / Gotta make dreams reality
Sometimes I’m lonely / How can this journey be so cold / Can’t help but wonder / Is this all life has for me
Chorus
I remember what love used to be / Mama’s kisses were the perfect remedy / You be careful is what they said to me / Now that I’m here my vision is clear, I’m coming home
Bridge
All my life / I’ve been waiting for the answer /
Trying to get it right / searching for the truth within me / Even when my eyes don’t see the sun will always shine / And where I am is where I need to be / I need to be
Chorus
I remember what love used to be / Mama’s kisses were the perfect remedy / You be careful is what they said to me / Now that I’m here my vision is clear, I’m coming home
LET’S PARTY
Kennedy, Ondre J Intro
I just wanna know who in here is ready to party
Verse
Every Monday morning / You know it’s that same old thing / Working hard to maintain /
Trying best to keep your dreams you’ve / Been here before / When you give your all and life wants more / Now it’s time to leave it /
Time to leave it and get on the floor
Chorus
Let’s party / Everybody come / Let’s party /
We deserve to have this fun / Worked all week and now we’re through / Round on me next round on you / Let’s party / Come on now let’s party
Verse
People want to tell you / What it is and how it ought to be / But you gotta remember / That in life it is the simple things but you know what / Been here before / When you give your all and life wants more / But now it’s time to leave it / Time to leave it and get on the floor
Chorus
Let’s party / Everybody come / Let’s party /
We deserve to have this fun / Worked all week and now we’re through / Round on me next round on you / Let’s party / Come on now let’s party
Bridge
Everybody’s here tonight / Sipping slow and feeling right / I might leave this place tonight /
In love / We all need this getaway / Take this time to celebrate / I’m so glad you’re here let’s toast it up
Chorus
Let’s party / Everybody come / Let’s party /
We deserve to have this fun / Worked all week and now we’re through / Round on me next round on you / Let’s party / Come on now let’s party
LET GO
Kennedy, Ondre J, Nathaniel Townsley, Chelton Grey Chorus
I can’t say no / I can’t let go / Feels good feels good
Spoken
It is everywhere / You feel it / You see it / A surge of energy / A surge of power / It passes from continent to continent / Uniting people in love and in harmony. / It unites the world
Chorus
I can’t say no / I can’t let go / Feels good feels good
Spoken
Regardless of color or creed / We come together / Moving together in rhythm to the beat of life / And in doing so we create love / A love that shines bright / Brighter than any shade that hate could be / And this, this is the reason we live
Bridge
It’s more than a moment / It’s the reason why I live / I live
Chorus
I can’t say no / I can’t let go / Feels good feels good /
1 It’s Over Now 3:48 DE411700047 / 2 Nothing Else Will Do 5:09 DE411700048 / 3 Let’s stay together 3:55 DE41170049
4 Don’t Forget To smile 2:33 DE411700050 / 5 Finally 5:32 DE411700051 / 6 Will It Go Round In Circles 4:17 DE411700052
7 Victory Song 3:02 DE411700053 / 8 Mamma’s kisses 4:36 DE411700054 / 9 Let’s Party 3:40 DE411700055 / 10 Let Go 4:05 DE411700056
Kennedy - lead vocal
Ondre J Pivec - keyboards, synth bass ( 1, 2, 9 ), talkbox ( 9 ),
drum programming ( 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 10 ), horn arrangements ( 1, 5, 6 )
Chelton Grey - bass ( 4, 7, 8 )
Nathaniel Townsley - drums (1-10)
Jordan Peters - guitar ( 1-3, 5, 6, 9 ) / Vin Landolfi - guitar ( 8, 10 ) / Paul Bollenback - guitar ( 4 )
Jay White - bass ( 1-3, 5, 6, 9 ) / Farrah Boulé - rap ( 1, 5 ) / Illspokin - rap ( 2 ) / Al Plummer - percussion ( 1, 4, 6 )
Lex Sadler - additional drum programming ( 9 ) / Charles Schiermeyer - string arrangement ( 4, 7, 9 ), flute ( 4 )
Cassondra James Kellam - background vocals ( 1, 6 ) / Nicholas Ryan Gant - bg vocals ( 2 )
Stephanie Fisher - background vocals ( 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 ) / Grégoire Maret - Harmonica ( 4 )
Kyla Moscovich - trumpet ( 1, 5, 6 ) / Sly5thave - tenor and bari sax ( 1, 5, 6 ) / Ansel Cohen - cello ( 7 )
Kristina Kiss - viola ( 7 ) / Delaney Stockly - violin ( 7 ) / Nathalie Barret-Mas - violin ( 7 )
Songs written as indicated. ”Let’s Stay Together“ written by Al Green, Al Jackson Jr., Willie Mitchell,
”Will It Go Round In Circles“ written by Bruce Fisher, Billy Preston.
All songs published by Kennedy Administration except ”Let’s Stay Together“ published by Al Green Music Inc.
& ”Will It Go Round In Circles“ published by Almo-Music Corporation
Recorded 2016 at Grand Street Recording by Jake Lummus
Mixed in March 2017 by Ken Wallace at Ian London productions
Mastered by Marko Schneider @ Skywalk Mastering / Imagion AG, Trierweiler, Germany
Produced by Ondre J Pivec and the Kennedy Administration / Executive Producer: Joachim Becker
Photos by Deneka Peniston (front) and Denis McCalla (inside)
Cover Artwork by Knut Schötteldreier
The Kennedy Administration Would Like To Thank:
Joachim Becker, Peter Basler, Jake Lummus, Ken Wallace, Shirley and John Kennedy, Manyahn Kromah-Pivec,
Jana Slaba, Dennis and Unika McCalla, Dominika Janigova, Rebekah Gordon, Deneka Peniston, Lex Sadler,
Paul Bollenback, Nicholas Ryan Gant, Farrah Boulé, Illspokin, Al Plummer, Charles Schiermeyer,
Cassondra James Kellam, Stephanie Fisher, Grégoire Maret, Kyla Moscovich, Sly5thave, Nathalie Barret-Mas,
Ansel Cohen, Kristina Kiss, Delaney Stockly, Dmitry Gorodetsky, Club Groove: Nir, Ofer, Rani, Eti and Hap,
and everyone else who supports us on our journey.
Endorsements: Ondre J: Nord Keyboards, Hammond Organ / Chelton Grey: D‘Addario strings,
Aguilar Amplification / Nathaniel Townsley: Gretsch Drums, Evans Drumheads, DW Hardware, Paiste cymbals,
Innovative Percussion. / Jordan Peters: Strymon, Greer Amps, Moollon, Pro Analog Devices,
Vertex Effects, Lehle, JHS Pedals, Vovox Cables
www.kennedyadministration.com F: thekennedyadmin IG: kennedyadministration
