Kelly’s Old Timers, 2003. Photo by Carlson’s Studio, Warsaw, NY RETURN to ARTIST DIRECTORY

NAME: Kelly’s Old Timers Eric Kelly, Director CULTURE: American traditional GENRE: Old Time Music; Swing; standards REGION: Niagara Frontier COUNTY: Wyoming BIO: Possibly the longest-running square dance band in New York State, Kelly’s Old Timers was begun by Woody Kelly of Perry, New York, around 1950, and has played for fifty-plus years for dances, parties, and special events. In fact, several couples that Kelly’s serenaded at their weddings a few decades ago are now calling them for their 40th and 50th anniversaries! While well known as a square dance band, the group offers up a variety of dance and vocal music, including swing, pop standards, Dixieland, and light jazz. Original member Roger Kelly remains one of the best Les Paul-style guitarists to be found, anywhere. Members over the years have included accordionists Woody Kelly and Sandy Consiglio, guitarists Ralph Fuller, Del Syler and Roger Kelly (Woody’s brother), fiddlers Barnie Kalisz and Curly Meyers, bassists Alex Mlyniec, Mattie Tompolski, Keith Morgan, drummers Don Wehner and Brent Stothers, and caller, Ken Lowe. Today, Eric Kelly (Roger’s son) leads the band and provides keyboard, vocals and calling, with Doug Kelly (Woody’s son) on bass and calling, Roger Kelly on guitar, Guy Macaluso on trumpet, and drummer Tom Kwiecien. Kelly’s recently released their first CD, “Kelly’s Old Timers—the First 50 Years.” The band is fortunate to have an archive of high-quality recordings dating back to the 1950s and 60s, partly due to guitarist Roger Kelly’s longtime interest in electronics and sound systems. The album includes historic reels from that era, including performances for local radio stations and for Eastman Kodak employees at their state of the art recreational building. Music from the 1970s-80s appears next, featuring Ken Lowe, a fine square dance caller. Finally, the album closes with recordings by the current band made several years ago. A sampling of songs from the CD includes square dance tunes like “Alabama Jubilee” and “Kiss Your Girl in the Moonlight,” to 1920s and 30s songs including “On the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Sweet Georgia Brown,” to swing standards like “Guitar Boogie” and “Sentimental Journey.” DISCOGRAPHY: Kelly’s Old Timers: The First Fifty Years (2004, self-produced) LISTEN to four audio samples from various years (.wma files) WEBSITE: www.kellysoldtimers.com CONTACT: Eric Kelly KOT@rochester.rr.com 585-237-3627 Or Doug Kelly, 585-237-2343

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