Jeni Hankins & Billy Kemp: Press Kit & Quotes

PRESS PHOTOS
Here are some hi-res photos of Jeni & Billy by the fabulous Kim Sherman. Click the photos to download the full-sized images.

BROCHURE

Below you'll find a brochure with information about Jeni & Billy and their music. Click on the image to get a full-sized, printable copy.

ONE SHEET & STAGE PLOT
Below you'll find a one-sheet with information about Jeni & Billy and their music, as well as a Stage Plot that you will find useful if you are hosting a Jeni and Billy concert . Click on the images to get a full-sized, printable copy.
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Jeni and Billy trade in the same homespun feel as the Quebes although it belongs on the back porch as opposed to bars and dance halls. Theirs is the sparse folk sound of the mountains and backwoods folk, god fearing, hardworking, scraping a living but finding joy in family and friends. The pair play guitar, banjo and mandolin while Jeni Hankins carries the vocals with Billy Kemp adding counterpoint. Together they create a warm, honest sound as natural as flowers in a field. With a mixture of traditional and original songs they sing of drunkards, jilted lovers and ruined lives. Half of these songs could be turned into tear-stained movies, “The Ballad of Sally Kincaid” tells of a girl seduced by a thieving preacher who hangs himself leaving her to end her days in shame. “Father Will You meet Me In Heaven” is the story of Johnny cash’s brother, Jack’s tragic death seen as a redemptive moment for their father’s godless ways. A previous album, Jewell Ridge Coal, documented the lives of miners in south-west Virginia and here they sing a song for Cecil Roberts, the President of the United Mine Workers of America. It’s a reminder that even these days mining is dangerous, deadly even.
A pretty stunning album for anyone into old-time Americana. Jeni and Billy are currently touring in England.

"A sweet and surprising high point [of the Beverley Folk Festival] was the Appalachian duo Jeni Hankins and Billy Kemp. Singing songs from the Southwest Virginia coal mines, the pair melted hearts with songs like Tazewell Beauty Queen and Back Then, a heartbreaking tale of tragic love. Jeni Hankins' smile-infused Mother Maybelle voice was . . . perfect."

In recent years it's been practically considered a given that the writing of coal-mining songs is a thing of the past, but lo and behold, along comes an album of new songs related to, or inspired by, the coal-mining lifestyle. Jeni Hankins is the granddaughter of coal miners, so she is well steeped in the tradition. Her mournful vocals compare favorably with other Appalachian old-time folks singers . . . the accompaniment is always very spare, and the performances are never rushed . . . Jewell Ridge Coal is a very worthy addition to a genre that may not be so antiquated after all.

I found Jeni & Billy's second album Jewell Ridge Coal to be like Billy Elliot meets the Mamas and the Papas meets Dolly Parton. A little bit bluegrass, a little bit folk, and all original, the music feels simultaneously familiar and completely new. Their combination creates this powerful and unique flavor, and they sound so natural together, it feels calming and clear. Its as if you were there sitting on a back porch in old-timey South and they were right there with you and just stumbled upon some instruments.

Jewell Ridge Coal, is steeped in the traditions of the mines and the families whose lives depended on them. The production is simple and uncluttered; the lead instrument is clearly the voice of Jeni, for whom these songs are like members of the family.

Jewell Ridge Coal is the best CD by new folk/edge of bluegrass artists I’ve heard in a long time. Jeni’s singing sounds to me like a cross between the young Hazel Dickens and the young Iris DeMent. The songs . . . range from raw and powerful to sweet and funny. The instrumental work . . . is excellent; the harmony singing is just what you’d want it to be.

Jeni & Billy are artists I admire a lot — the acoustic Buddy and Julie Miller. They are truly a treasure.

I am very impressed with Jeni & Billy. Jewell Ridge Coal is quite the concept piece, beautiful to look at and listen to. I haven't been so swept away by any one CD since Gillian Welch's Revival came out.

Jewell Ridge Coal is really and truly a wonderful piece of work. The songs are fantastic, and Jeni, your voice is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. I will play it extensively on my radio show.

Thanks so much for this gift. May you make many more like it.

Everyone at all the libraries told me how complimentary our patrons were that attended your performances. The stories, music and your genuine enthusiasm captured everyone. Thank you for sharing your story and teaching us a little about your part of our country. Definitely we would love to have you back next year.

A radio listener who also happens to draw swell comix responds to "Chicken Ridge" on his blog -- this is one of our very favorite reviews ever:

When this track came on the radio on a sunny fall Sunday while driving around the Bronx, Jeni’s and Billy’s voices transported me away from the crumbling warehouses and over-paved neighborhoods to the Appalachian wilderness. There’s no narrative to the lyrics, but these two voices, guitar and banjo take you on a personal audio tour of a sad and beautiful place.

Jeni Hankins and Billy Kemp present original songs with an authentic, old-time edge.

Musical programs are always well received at our library, but you two really impressed our patrons.  I cannot remember the last time I was so inundated with praise for a performance.  Not only were your musical talents lauded, but so were your stories and personal histories.  I would highly recommend your Jewell Ridge Coal program to any library looking for an entertaining and educational program to wow their patrons.

Anyone who enjoyed Kathy Mattea’s masterly Coal would almost certainly enjoy Jeni and Billy’s equally well crafted Jewell Ridge Coal. All self-penned numbers. it’s an often moving but never mawkish tribute to the coal mining community of Southwest Virginia . . . the haunting fragile vocals of Jeni and the subtle instrumentation of Billy that are the real highlights.

Oh my gosh! What a wonderful CD. I played two cuts this morning and raved to my listeners about it! Terrific job! “Miner’s Reward” made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Amazing.

Jeni & Billy's is one awesome recording. It has seen airplay on my show . . . A worthy addition to any radio music library.

Jeni Hankins' vocals are captivating and her songs paint interesting
pictures of life in the coalfields.

The music of Jeni & Billy is a perfect complement to library programs. Our patrons loved their sound, and the interesting, contextual stories that accompanied each song. Jeni & Billy were a delight to work with. I hope to schedule them again some time. Highly recommended.

Jeni & Billy provide acoustic music lovingly dressed with graceful phrasing and old-time charm. It's soothing, relaxing, heartfelt, and richly steeped in the traditions of old-time country and bluegrass.

What a joy and a treat to hear new original tunes about coal mining! All the while weaving in your past, the things that haunt your heart and bring you joy. Great song writing and very moving presentation! Congratulations!

You've produced a great work of art that has an important message today. And to pay tribute to Nimrod, Barbara, and Hazel along the way -- that's so great!

I didn't think they made albums as powerful as the one by Jeni and Billy
anymore.

being a natural cynic, whenever i meet people like jeni and billy (i.e. old fashioned good people who aren't mollified by shiny objects and hung up newfangled technology and worried about record labels and the next deal etc.) i unfortunately recoil back and cock my head and say "are you for real?"
it's a sad commentary on the times (or perhaps my circle of friends) but i can honestly say that jeni and billy are definitely "for real". their music is like a great undiscovered carter family cd that was buried in a vault for 70 years without the crackling and tape hiss. their new cd jewel ridge coal tell stories of real rural blue collar in a simple and honest way without clutter and over the top headbashing (like montgomery gentry without montgomery or gentry). being from appalachia myself, perhaps
these sounds are in my dna, but i believe that anyone with an open mind will love this disc. with guest appearances by shad cobb and jim lauderdale, it should open up jeni and billy to new ears.
i am usually put off by modern artists trying to recreate the great and honest music of the past, but jeni and billy do it so convincingly that i don't even think that recreating an older genre was the intention-i believe that it is just what comes out when they sing so here's to them doing much more of that-