Billy Kennedy quickly gained recognition playing folk music in the streets of Portland nearly 3 decades ago.


After the success of his trio Special K, Billy went on to perform with an impressive succession of bands that includes The Welfare Ranch Rodeo (with members of The Holy Modal Rounders), Lisa Miller and the Trailer Park Honeys, The New Iberians, Petty Cash, The Freak Mountain Ramblers, Roy Carter Jr., Le Bon and Sake Wahoo (both with Carlton Jackson).

A master of many styles, Billy’s performances include an easy mix of original songs along with those of such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed. His stream-of-consciousness vocal ability can turn an otherwise ordinary song into an impromptu ode to the scene as it creates itself. . . so pay attention, he may just be singing about you.