Josh Kelley, 美國樂壇又一個天才型創(chuàng)作歌手,25歲的Josh 出生于Augusta(美國緬因州首府)。和很多同齡人一樣,Josh音樂樂生涯的啟蒙者是美式傳統(tǒng)搖滾團體Dave Mattews Band。從來沒有受過專業(yè)正式音樂訓練的Josh大學時候曾經(jīng)是一名專業(yè)運動員。直到大學畢業(yè), Josh才真正開始他的音樂創(chuàng)作生涯。為了引起大家的注意,愛搞怪的他把自己創(chuàng)作的一首Demo上傳到Ole Miss大學圖書館的鏈接上,他充滿驚奇的多樣化音樂開始在網(wǎng)路間流傳著,也因此引起了著名唱片公司Hollywood的關(guān)注。
2003 年,Josh Kelley第一張專輯『For The Ride Home』正式出爐。Josh在麥克風前微溫的歌唱情緒,年輕隨性的創(chuàng)作文采,彌漫著高度的親合力。首支單曲《Amazing》自夏季推出后,一直高居美國成人搖滾電臺的熱門播放榜,入主 Top10流行單曲榜。你永遠無法預(yù)知,在如此可愛的面孔下,一個二十出頭的小男生會如何擁有如此有張力的聲線。
Josh Kelley具有民謠風格的搖滾總讓我想到Jason Mraz,不同的是Josh的聲線更渾厚。相對Jason Mraz而言,Josh的歌詞來得更平實,更多的敘述的是他對于生活的迷惑。細細品味,有股酸楚。更準確的說,Josh Kelley更像是搖滾版的Jack Johnson和年輕版的David Gray的完美結(jié)合。
第一張專輯成功后的Josh Kelley并沒有自滿。2004年秋季,Josh前往Los Angeles繼續(xù)他的音樂學習。在著名制作人John Alagia的精心栽培下,Josh學會了14種樂器的演奏。同時,Josh積極爭取各大演唱會的熱身嘉賓。這為他打下了深厚的現(xiàn)場自彈自唱的功底。同年 8月,Josh翻唱Billy Joel的老歌《To Make You Feel My Love》被收錄在Hilary Duff主演的熱門電影『A Cinderella Story』原聲帶。
2005年8月,Josh發(fā)行了他的第二張專輯『Almost Honest 』。區(qū)別于第一張專輯,『Almost Honest』大部分采用了Josh最拿手的木吉他配樂的輕快曲風,更大膽融入了Gospel的合唱方式。聽著Josh娓娓道來《Walk Fast》、《Only You》、《Love Is Breaking My Heart》、《Almost Honest》等一首首關(guān)于不安、愛慕、期許、等待與隨想的唱作,寫實且深刻,卻又不會到一成不變的無趣的歌詞
Count Josh Kelley a fan of Napster. The Augusta, GA, native was writing songs on the side as a student at the University of Mississippi, and in a happy Internet accident, some Napstered MP3s of his work made their way to an A&R rep for Hollywood Records. Kelley eventually signed with the label, and his debut album, For the Ride Home, appeared in June 2003. It took awhile for it to build up steam, but eventually listeners starting responding to Kelley's affable, John Mayer-ish sound. "Amazing" did well as a single, landing on the soundtrack to the Kate Hudson romantic comedy Raising Helen and setting up a February 2004 re-release of For the Ride Home that included a bonus disc with acoustic performances and two unreleased songs. Kelley returned in August 2005 with Almost Honest. It featured the single "Only You," which he co-wrote with pop hitmakers the Matrix. Just Say the Word followed in 2006.