LP KELLY

Biography

LP Kelly, formerly known as Old Man Kelly, is an American roots musician based in Blacksburg, Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains. His musical journey began with a deep immersion in the old-time music traditions of Southwest Virginia, where he discovered a style uniquely tied to its geography, with tunes and square dances varying by county and mountain. Initially a traveler learning music from various places, Kelly settled in the region to become a co-creator of local traditions rather than just a borrower, mastering instruments like fiddle, banjo, upright bass, and pedal steel guitar, and even winning ribbons at fiddlers' conventions.[2]

Kelly's career developed through veteran bands such as The Jugbusters, a twenty-year-old old-time mountain string band that evolved into honky-tonk, playing tiny country dance halls across central Appalachia, and The Don’t Tell Darlings. After The Jugbusters disbanded due to the death of their fiddle player, he formed The Streetsweepers, blending clawhammer banjo, pedal steel guitar, old-time fiddling, honky-tonk piano, and swing rhythms into original music rooted in those influences. He transitioned to a solo career, releasing his debut album Songs, Stories, Shanties, and Shenanigans in 2013, followed by Off My Lawn in 2016, and Love Songs For Loners in 2021, while performing extensively at bars, festivals, swing dances, square dances, radio shows, and house concerts to promote music with history and place.[2]

His musical style draws from early American roots music—blues, swing, troubadour traditions—creating original songs that sound familiar yet demand listeners explore their geographic and temporal roots, avoiding generic Americana. From his Blacksburg base, Kelly advocates for a renaissance in place-based music, incorporating guitars, banjos, harmonicas, and bold performances.[2]

Fun Facts

• LP Kelly learned to square dance and then became a square dance caller, deeply embedding himself in Appalachian traditions.
• He won ribbons at fiddlers' conventions on fiddle, banjo, and upright bass, showcasing his multi-instrumental prowess.
• Formerly Old Man Kelly, he rebranded to emphasize his roots-oriented music.
• He views old-time music as something borrowed that must be given back to its geographic origins.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Buddy Charleton - pedal steel guitar teacher (lessons leading to pedal steel integration in LP Kelly's music) [pre-2013]

Key Collaborators

• The Jugbusters - band member in old-time mountain string band turned honky-tonk (performances in Appalachian dance halls) [prior to 2013]
• The Don’t Tell Darlings - recording band veteran (various recordings) [pre-2013]
• The Streetsweepers - founded the band after Jugbusters, writing new material (original blends of old-time, honky-tonk, western swing) [post-Jugbusters disbandment, pre-2013]

External Links

• Spotify