Paul Kenny
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Paul Kenny
BIOGRAPHY
The Man Behind the Music. Multi-Award Winning Composer
Pianist - Conductor Music Teacher - Music Specialist and Dad |
Hello and thank you for visiting my music web page. I have had so many people tell me that I should write a book abut my life in music and the funny things and not so funny things. So, I have decided to start by building this biography here on my web page and then probably a small book format in future years. I also thought it was a good way to document my life a little for my children so they can see what their Dad did during his life. So, sit back and I hope you enjoy the journey. Don't forget to check back every few weeks as I will be adding more and more to this page.
My new Podcast can be heard on most Podcasting apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, iHeart Radio, Google Podcast, Audible, Anchor and Overcast.
It's raw and unscripted.
It's about music, piano, performing and life.
It's raw and unscripted.
It's about music, piano, performing and life.
*Please note that I will be continually adding and updating this page. Don't forget to check back every now and again for updates.
Paul Kenny
The Man Behind the Music.
I’ve worked hard all of my life with music. Sometimes a struggle and sometimes a breeze. I’ve had the praises of people world wide and I’ve had to take the professional jealousy rubbish from other musicians in my stride. You often hear the phrase life is never easy, well that statement is certainly true. I guess it’s all about setting small goals and completing them and then setting more goals and slowly work your way up the ladder, never allowing anyone to shift your direction or focus.
I started music lessons at the age of about 6 and only had a few lessons. I actually think it was not even a term which is 10 weeks here in Australia matching the school term. My parents could probably correct me with this and the age I started. It wasn’t until I was about 10 when I was walking past a music store in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast and said to my parents I wouldn’t mind having a few lessons again. So mum quickly sorted some lessons with the store as they had teachers working there teaching piano, organ, keyboard and guitar... and that’s where my music journey started.
The Man Behind the Music.
I’ve worked hard all of my life with music. Sometimes a struggle and sometimes a breeze. I’ve had the praises of people world wide and I’ve had to take the professional jealousy rubbish from other musicians in my stride. You often hear the phrase life is never easy, well that statement is certainly true. I guess it’s all about setting small goals and completing them and then setting more goals and slowly work your way up the ladder, never allowing anyone to shift your direction or focus.
I started music lessons at the age of about 6 and only had a few lessons. I actually think it was not even a term which is 10 weeks here in Australia matching the school term. My parents could probably correct me with this and the age I started. It wasn’t until I was about 10 when I was walking past a music store in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast and said to my parents I wouldn’t mind having a few lessons again. So mum quickly sorted some lessons with the store as they had teachers working there teaching piano, organ, keyboard and guitar... and that’s where my music journey started.
Paul Kenny
The first few years were not great as far as practice goes but I somehow managed to enter and win music competitions, Eisteddfods and worked my way through music exams. I had gained high levels with music exams and started teaching around the age of 15 and performing at venues at the age of about 16. Wearing teachers out and moving from one teacher to another seemed to be common. A lot of funny are weird things happened along the way with teachers. Teachers that have their one favourite student that they always tell you how great they are seemed to be a motivation for me to work harder and obtain higher grades and win more competitions. Although from that teachers perspective that's not what I was supposed to be doing. I had one teacher tell my parents that I knew more than he did and he would be learning from me now as he handed my mum the bill for the term for music tuition. No need to say that I did not continue with him and my parents certainly did not pay for anymore music tuition. Nasty, jealous and narcissistic music teachers have no place in the music industry!! I guess all of the weird and bad stuff from some of my past teachers taught me a lesson in how to treat my students and to treat them all as equal.
All of my last exams I had to teach myself and put myself through the exam process as there were no teachers who taught at that level and certainly no teachers who were skilled at music theory and composition to comfortably teach at that level. I have studied music and gained the highest level of degrees and diplomas with universities in Australia, United Kingdom and the United States. Yes if you are wondering, I passed all of the exams with Distinction or Honours.
All of my last exams I had to teach myself and put myself through the exam process as there were no teachers who taught at that level and certainly no teachers who were skilled at music theory and composition to comfortably teach at that level. I have studied music and gained the highest level of degrees and diplomas with universities in Australia, United Kingdom and the United States. Yes if you are wondering, I passed all of the exams with Distinction or Honours.
Paul Kenny and KITT from the TV Series "Knight Rider"
My early days as a kid growing up in the '70s and '80s were filled with music, chess with my Grandfather, family fishing trips with Grandparents, holidays at Rainbow Beach in Queensland, music practice and the wonder of the technology that was being discovered. The development of so many new things like computers and synthesisers and then how they became a big part of music. I remember TV Shows such as "The A Team", "Air Wolf", "Battlestar Galactica", "Star Wars" and of course not to forget "Knight Rider" and KITT.
The piano at my Parents house.
I decided after many years of performing at venues to finish performing and I remember then taking 2 1/2 years to actually finish because that’s how far ahead of time in advance I was booked for events, weddings, parties, anything!! A lot of time and many years passed by while teaching, working for various music companies and life moving forward. Looking at where I am now and so many people I’m now connected with on my social media platforms such as an amazing 100,000+ followers on Facebook not to mention all the other forms of social media with the thousands of people who follow me there as well. Thinking back to also the days of my parents asking me, Paul have you done your practice? While my friends were playing in the park next door. As the years passed I was always working hard with my music and saving my pennies to buy a new keyboard or mixer or speakers while my friends were out parting on weekends, enjoying beach or going on overseas holidays. At the time I told people my new synthesiser or new recording console was my overseas holiday.
Paul Kenny early newspaper article
One of the sacrifices is the isolation away from people in the pursuit of practice, perfection and mastering your craft. You create mentally your own world of escape as it were, where you are the creator and the notes and music are the tools you use to create your special world. In some ways you become a bit of a recluse I guess. I remember sometimes practising for 6-8 hours a day or more if we had a new piano or if I had recently purchased a new keyboard. I still remember mum and dad asking me at 3:00am to please stop practicing and go to bed to get some sleep you have to get up for school in a few hours.
You could say that I'm wired a bit differently to everyone else. I hear and process sound differently to most people. I hear and see music in everything. Every sound is processed differently and it’s connected musical tones or frequencies move differently. I don’t hear sound as sound, rather I hear a tapestry of musical frequencies that somehow blend together to create musical alchemy. Sometimes I may seem distant, very distant. Sometimes I might not seem to be part of what is going on or I don't seem to blend in with everyone else and seem distant. I’m physically in the room with you, but my mind and thought processes are not. I guess it's because part of my brain is working on so many music projects, composing and planning while another part of my brain is in the moment, and then there is another part of my brain that is thinking about coffee, pina colada’s, fresh prawns, lunch dates with my wife, basketball with my boys, cake or something silly.
You could say that I'm wired a bit differently to everyone else. I hear and process sound differently to most people. I hear and see music in everything. Every sound is processed differently and it’s connected musical tones or frequencies move differently. I don’t hear sound as sound, rather I hear a tapestry of musical frequencies that somehow blend together to create musical alchemy. Sometimes I may seem distant, very distant. Sometimes I might not seem to be part of what is going on or I don't seem to blend in with everyone else and seem distant. I’m physically in the room with you, but my mind and thought processes are not. I guess it's because part of my brain is working on so many music projects, composing and planning while another part of my brain is in the moment, and then there is another part of my brain that is thinking about coffee, pina colada’s, fresh prawns, lunch dates with my wife, basketball with my boys, cake or something silly.
A funny story...
I have played for so many old time and new vogue dances I have lost count. I've played both my piano/keyboard setup and I have played on large Concert Organs such as Hammond, Wurlitzer, Kawai and Yamaha. This one time I was booked to perform on a Wurlitzer Concert Organ at a large venue for an Old Time / New Vogue Dance. They had tickets available which were on sale for months and they were expecting around 300 to 400 people to be at this event. I got to the venue early so I could have a run through (practice) on the organ that was on stage. It was a huge 3 keyboard Wurlitzer which sounded amazing. I usually wore a suit of similar when performing. Except on this day I had my suit pants on and shoes but I wore a t-shirt as I was going to change the shirt a bit later on before people started arriving. So, I was on stage practicing through a few songs and sound settings when the manager of the venue or event started yelling at me from across the dance floor as he quickly approached me. He was yelling, almost screaming for me to get off the stage and away from the organ and someone like me should not be anywhere near an instrument like that let alone on stage. I guess he didn't like my t-shirt!! As I was walking down the stage stairs he said... do you know a world class organist is due any minute to perform for the 300 to 400 people that are attending the event tonight and we don't need someone like you breaking the instrument that he has to play. Well I can tell you the thoughts that went through my head!! Anyway, I politely picked up my bag and said to him... no problem, however, you might like to explain to the hundreds of people that are coming tonight why there is no music tonight and I walked out. My Mum and Dad came along that night to hear me play and were there when this took place. I walked out and he turned and looked at my parents and said... what's his problem? Dad said... that's Paul Kenny who is the organist playing for the event tonight!! Well I can tell you the guy almost fell over himself running out to the car park where I was hanging up my shirt and suit jacket and getting into the car to leave. I don't think I have ever had someone say "sorry" to me so many times. So after a few "choice words" from me I went back in and played and everyone had an amazing night. Funny enough every time I played for an open event or performance the guy was there and became one of my biggest advocates with my music. Its a funny old world we live in.
I have played for so many old time and new vogue dances I have lost count. I've played both my piano/keyboard setup and I have played on large Concert Organs such as Hammond, Wurlitzer, Kawai and Yamaha. This one time I was booked to perform on a Wurlitzer Concert Organ at a large venue for an Old Time / New Vogue Dance. They had tickets available which were on sale for months and they were expecting around 300 to 400 people to be at this event. I got to the venue early so I could have a run through (practice) on the organ that was on stage. It was a huge 3 keyboard Wurlitzer which sounded amazing. I usually wore a suit of similar when performing. Except on this day I had my suit pants on and shoes but I wore a t-shirt as I was going to change the shirt a bit later on before people started arriving. So, I was on stage practicing through a few songs and sound settings when the manager of the venue or event started yelling at me from across the dance floor as he quickly approached me. He was yelling, almost screaming for me to get off the stage and away from the organ and someone like me should not be anywhere near an instrument like that let alone on stage. I guess he didn't like my t-shirt!! As I was walking down the stage stairs he said... do you know a world class organist is due any minute to perform for the 300 to 400 people that are attending the event tonight and we don't need someone like you breaking the instrument that he has to play. Well I can tell you the thoughts that went through my head!! Anyway, I politely picked up my bag and said to him... no problem, however, you might like to explain to the hundreds of people that are coming tonight why there is no music tonight and I walked out. My Mum and Dad came along that night to hear me play and were there when this took place. I walked out and he turned and looked at my parents and said... what's his problem? Dad said... that's Paul Kenny who is the organist playing for the event tonight!! Well I can tell you the guy almost fell over himself running out to the car park where I was hanging up my shirt and suit jacket and getting into the car to leave. I don't think I have ever had someone say "sorry" to me so many times. So after a few "choice words" from me I went back in and played and everyone had an amazing night. Funny enough every time I played for an open event or performance the guy was there and became one of my biggest advocates with my music. Its a funny old world we live in.
Testing my new custom built grand piano.
About 10 years ago I started my music Facebook page to document and I guess promote my music, albums I was working on at the time plus future music projects such as new albums and books. Slowly recording pieces I wrote when I was a teenager through to new songs that seem to somehow just flow with creativity from within. My Facebook page slowly grew with people who enjoyed my music. As time moved on I added more and more music to my ever expanding catalogue of albums, tracks and more. I now have over 100 albums and over 1,500 music tracks that play for over 30 hours of music without repeating a single song. My Facebook page has been slowly moving forward and growing with over 100,000+ people that follow me and I hope enjoy my music and what I love doing. If you enjoy what you do you will never work a day in your life, so the saying goes.
Paul Kenny
Piano In The Park (2000)
I’ve worked as a music teacher in schools but mainly as a private music teacher with my own music school, music director for productions, as a conductor for orchestras and choirs, as a solo pianist, to working with various bands with all genres of music, I’ve worked as a concert artist and of course for the 100’s and 100’s of weddings, funerals and parties. I’ve worked for several large music companies within Australia and International Companies, National Manager for a Music Company (Piano Division) and also performing at large events with crowds of 5,000+ people.
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Music and I guess nature and it’s wonder has always been of interest. This was where my sounds of nature recordings started many many years ago. Recording nature sounds in my parents backyard and then moving to a rainforest or at the beach and then listening to the playback and composing music to blend with the natural ambient sound of our world. Who would have thought that some years later I would have over 100 albums selling and streaming millions of copies around the world.
You don’t realise how far you have come until you look back. And that’s what I’m doing at the moment, remembering the early days when I was a kid to some of the amazing people I’ve worked with, to venues good, bad and dreadful having performed for 20 or so years, sometimes 3 to 4 nights a week and even 2 performances on a Saturday and playing pipe organ in church on Sunday and then an afternoon wedding, as well as teaching and managing music stores, music projects and concert artist work. As I’ve mentioned I’ve played for 100s of weddings and that is certainly no exaggeration. I’ve also played for funerals of family members, close friends and for 100s of people I never knew. Some knew me and requested with their family that I play for their funeral but I never knew who they were but for a short space in time we were connected via the power of music. Special cards and letters over the years of heartfelt thanks for the joy that my music has given them and their family was always nice to receive. I actually received a text message only a few weeks ago relating to something I did for an elderly person a few years ago and how they had recently passed away and the family were thanking me for the music and my kindness those few years back.
Family
About 13 years ago I went through a very traumatic time. I won’t go into the events that took place just now, I'll leave those for a future update. Those people close to me know what happened and supported me 110% during that time. Again the saying, You don’t realise how far you have come until you look back seems to be very fitting to how there is light at the end of a long tunnel. During this time I really immersed myself in my music and wrote several music books and song after song and with a lot of encouragement from my parents and my lovely Claire, I then started to record and release music albums. Rainforest Dreaming and Ocean Discovery were the first 2 albums to be released. Today I am also encouraged and inspired by my 3 amazing boys William, Harry and George.
William, Harry and George. Boys night out.
Old Time Dances + New Vogue.
Back in the 1990's I started playing for Old Time and New Vogue Dances at the Maroochydore RSL Club. This grew over the coming years into an amazing Sunday dance afternoon with over 100 people attending every Sunday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Some weeks I would have a guest soloist arrive to play along these would include a vocalist or an older gentleman who would play saxophone. I remember one Sunday a lady arrived with a piano accordion to join in playing the old time songs from the 1920s to 1950s. I remember the one year anniversary there were around 400 people that arrived to celebrate the Sunday Afternoon Dance Anniversary. It was certainly a very crowded dance floor which I am certain that some people were a little upset and annoyed that so many people arrived to support the event. There was a small group of people who lets say were less than friendly that would arrive each Sunday to the "free" dance afternoon put on by the RSL Club. This group were so tight that they would bring a bottle of their own cordial drink and ask for a jug of iced water from the bar and a few glasses o make their own drinks at their table!! Talk about cheap!! But as the saying goes... There's one in every crowd!! (There were a few in this crowd).
Back in the 1990's I started playing for Old Time and New Vogue Dances at the Maroochydore RSL Club. This grew over the coming years into an amazing Sunday dance afternoon with over 100 people attending every Sunday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Some weeks I would have a guest soloist arrive to play along these would include a vocalist or an older gentleman who would play saxophone. I remember one Sunday a lady arrived with a piano accordion to join in playing the old time songs from the 1920s to 1950s. I remember the one year anniversary there were around 400 people that arrived to celebrate the Sunday Afternoon Dance Anniversary. It was certainly a very crowded dance floor which I am certain that some people were a little upset and annoyed that so many people arrived to support the event. There was a small group of people who lets say were less than friendly that would arrive each Sunday to the "free" dance afternoon put on by the RSL Club. This group were so tight that they would bring a bottle of their own cordial drink and ask for a jug of iced water from the bar and a few glasses o make their own drinks at their table!! Talk about cheap!! But as the saying goes... There's one in every crowd!! (There were a few in this crowd).
Paul Kenny composing at the Piano
Nursing Homes.
For many years from the late 1980's into the 1990's I was the Musical Specialist for a chain of Nursing Homes on the Sunshine Coast. This started when my Grandfather went into a nursing home and I would go over and play the piano for him in the lounge area. My Grandfather was always excited when I went over to see him and always ended by a few songs at the piano in the lounge area. Every time I went over a larger crowd of people would arrive from their rooms to enjoy the piano music. This would then turn into a morning or afternoon tea music session and eventually I was asked by the Nursing Home Management if I would like to do music session at each of the nursing homes around the Sunshine Coast. This was an amazing time to be working with the elderly and to see the power of music at work. I remember playing at the dementia ward, which was always on a Monday morning. This elderly gentleman sat beside me chatting away as he would normally do about all topics including music. He would always ask me to play old time songs from the war. This one time he leaned over and asked me if I knew the people sitting beside him. I said... Yes, they are your son, daughter in-law and your grand children. He said... Ah OK. Thanks Paul. He knew who I was and the songs I played week to week but sadly due to dementia he did not know his family.
For many years from the late 1980's into the 1990's I was the Musical Specialist for a chain of Nursing Homes on the Sunshine Coast. This started when my Grandfather went into a nursing home and I would go over and play the piano for him in the lounge area. My Grandfather was always excited when I went over to see him and always ended by a few songs at the piano in the lounge area. Every time I went over a larger crowd of people would arrive from their rooms to enjoy the piano music. This would then turn into a morning or afternoon tea music session and eventually I was asked by the Nursing Home Management if I would like to do music session at each of the nursing homes around the Sunshine Coast. This was an amazing time to be working with the elderly and to see the power of music at work. I remember playing at the dementia ward, which was always on a Monday morning. This elderly gentleman sat beside me chatting away as he would normally do about all topics including music. He would always ask me to play old time songs from the war. This one time he leaned over and asked me if I knew the people sitting beside him. I said... Yes, they are your son, daughter in-law and your grand children. He said... Ah OK. Thanks Paul. He knew who I was and the songs I played week to week but sadly due to dementia he did not know his family.
A Ghostly story. (Section Being Updated)
Paul Kenny "My Happy Place"
Paul Kenny... Australias own "Richard Clayderman". (Section Being Updated)
Special Performances - Jaguar. (Section Being Updated)
Music Stores / Casio Kid. (Section Being Updated)
Paul Kenny High School Musical
Yamaha and Kawai Organ Competitions. (Section Being Updated)
Theatre Restaurant, Music Productions, Conducting and more. (Section Being Updated)
Jazz Band, Performing and more. (Section Being Updated)
Music for Mental Health, Music albums and more. (Section Being Updated)
Paul Kenny 1988 "You're The Voice"
Weddings and funny events. (Section Being Updated)
35+ Years of Music Teaching. (Section Being Updated)
Piano Tuning and Repairs.
From an early age I was fascinated by the piano and how it worked. I guess this lead me to working on pianos for students to start then over the years developing my skills in tuning, servicing and repairs. I love working on old pianos. I am always wonder how the piano came to where it is today from England, Germany or other countries and the people who have enjoyed the music it has made. Was the piano in a church or hall? What songs were played on it? How many children have learnt to play and have sat for hours at the piano practicing? The living history and music that an old piano has provided so many people in its life time is a wonderful thing to enjoy. All those years later and I now travel all over Tasmania working on pianos both new and old making them sing again.
Piano Tuning Tasmania: www.pianotuningtasmania.com
From an early age I was fascinated by the piano and how it worked. I guess this lead me to working on pianos for students to start then over the years developing my skills in tuning, servicing and repairs. I love working on old pianos. I am always wonder how the piano came to where it is today from England, Germany or other countries and the people who have enjoyed the music it has made. Was the piano in a church or hall? What songs were played on it? How many children have learnt to play and have sat for hours at the piano practicing? The living history and music that an old piano has provided so many people in its life time is a wonderful thing to enjoy. All those years later and I now travel all over Tasmania working on pianos both new and old making them sing again.
Piano Tuning Tasmania: www.pianotuningtasmania.com
National Manager (Piano Company). (Section Being Updated)
Community Voices Project (Choir).
March 2021: The final performance of the Community Voices Project. I hope you enjoy all of the hard work that everyone has put into the making of this outstanding video which is a celebration of the past 2 years of hard dedicated work by everyone involved. Thank you so much to everyone I have met along the way and the great friendships that have been made.
All the best. Paul.
Paul Kenny (Conductor/Musical Director Tasmania, Australia)
March 2021: The final performance of the Community Voices Project. I hope you enjoy all of the hard work that everyone has put into the making of this outstanding video which is a celebration of the past 2 years of hard dedicated work by everyone involved. Thank you so much to everyone I have met along the way and the great friendships that have been made.
All the best. Paul.
Paul Kenny (Conductor/Musical Director Tasmania, Australia)
2020 - COVID, Heart Attack and more. (Section Being Updated)
Icing on the 2020 cake...
Music Distribution Company I had been with for 6 years in the UK/USA scamming me out of $$$$$s in royalties. (Section Being Updated)
2022+ Rebuilding (starting from scratch) my music albums and distribution globally. (Section Being Updated)
Music Distribution Company I had been with for 6 years in the UK/USA scamming me out of $$$$$s in royalties. (Section Being Updated)
2022+ Rebuilding (starting from scratch) my music albums and distribution globally. (Section Being Updated)
Paul Kenny "In The Studio"
2022+ So many new and exciting music projects I planned for 2022. I actually picked up 3 dice and rolled them in January 2022 and said what ever the number that's how many music projects I would do in 2022. I think the first time in history I threw 3x 6's making it 18 projects for the year!! Well I set the goal and have nearly completed it (being 24th November 2022 when I am writing this paragraph). I have released so many different albums this year, started work on my new Musical "Dance With Me" being released in 2023, rebuilt the recording studio (Yes I am counting that as a project), and many other music projects I have also completed or that are about to be finished and released.
Paul Kenny
I would love to answer any of your questions. You can send me questions via messenger (PM) as I’m currently working on an interview recording at the moment which I’m answering questions that people have already sent in to me so I can answer some of your questions about what I have done with my life in music as well. That would be so awesome connecting with you in this way.
Send via messenger on Facebook: www.facebook.com/paulkennyofficial
Email: [email protected]
You can check out my web page at www.PaulKenny.com you can also find links to my music on Apple Music (iTunes), Spotify and more or listen direct via pages on my web site. My Facebook: www.facebook.com/paulkennyofficial
Always remember...
We are the music makers and We are the dreamers of the dreams.
On a personal note I would like to thank YOU, yes YOU for following my page and for reading this long post, it’s almost an essay!! In fact I might ask you some questions later on. Seriously though… Thank You.
Send via messenger on Facebook: www.facebook.com/paulkennyofficial
Email: [email protected]
You can check out my web page at www.PaulKenny.com you can also find links to my music on Apple Music (iTunes), Spotify and more or listen direct via pages on my web site. My Facebook: www.facebook.com/paulkennyofficial
Always remember...
We are the music makers and We are the dreamers of the dreams.
On a personal note I would like to thank YOU, yes YOU for following my page and for reading this long post, it’s almost an essay!! In fact I might ask you some questions later on. Seriously though… Thank You.
What I’ve mentioned here only scratches the tip of the iceberg. Believe me there's a lot more that's for sure. But, the rest of my story is for another post or maybe a video. I'll keep you updated.
Stay well and always striving to reach your goals.
I hope to chat with you soon.
All the best. Paul.
PS: I would love you to share this page on your social media so up and coming music students can see where practice can take you and how music can create such an amazing pathway in life.
Stay well and always striving to reach your goals.
I hope to chat with you soon.
All the best. Paul.
PS: I would love you to share this page on your social media so up and coming music students can see where practice can take you and how music can create such an amazing pathway in life.
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Stay tuned for the video interview... Coming Soon.
