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Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy (born 12 October 1966, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is an Irish singer-songwriter and author, known for his ballads, and as representing Ireland at Eurovision 2006.

Personal life

Brian Kennedy was born and grew up on the Falls Road in Belfast. He has described in public the violence of The Troubles, during his childhood and teen years ^[1]. At one time, he has described seeing a young man being chased and then shot dead by a British soldier a few feet away from him. He also would harmonise with police, ambulance and fire engine sirens^[2].

Discography

Brian Kennedy solo

• The Great War Of Words (1990)
• A Better Man (1996)
• Now That I Know What I Want (1999)
• Won't You Take Me Home (2000)
• Get On With Your Short Life (2001)
• On Song (2003)
• Live In Belfast (2004)
• On Song 2: Red Sails In The Sunset (2005)
• Homebird (2006)
• Interpretations (2008)

• A cover of Dry Your Eyes by The Streets on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 2 (2004)

Sweetmouth

In Sweetmouth, Kennedy was joined by Mark E. Nevin, formerly of Fairground Attraction, and also known for his work with Morrissey. Their one album, Goodbye to Songtown (August 1991), featured the songs written by Nevin for a second Fairground Attraction album which was never realized.

Writing

• The Arrival of Fergal Flynn (Hodder, 2004), a novel.
• Roman Song (Hodder, 2005), a novel.
• Brian is now writing his autobiography

Trivia

• Kennedy really came to prominence as one of Van Morrison's backing singers; appearing on a string of recordings and live in concert, frequently alongside Georgie Fame.^[2]
• Being Irish, he is popular for lending his voice to Irish traditionals, such as Carrickfergus, As I Roved Out and Danny Boy.
• Brian had a minor UK radio airplay hit with the title track from his 2001 album 'Get On With Your Short Life'.
• He was chosen as the Irish competitor for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, where he sang the self-penned Every Song is a Cry for Love. Kennedy's performance in the contest's semi-finals marked the 1000th song to feature in the history of the Eurovision competition. Following qualification, Kennedy finished tenth in the finals on 20 May, with 93 points.
• He performed on the original Secret Garden version of the song You Raise Me Up, which has now been recorded by more than a hundred other artists, such as Josh Groban and Westlife.
• He also sang the song at the funeral of legendary soccer player, George Best. "George Best: A Tribute", with tracks featuring Peter Corry, was released in December 2005 and reached #4 on the UK Singles Chart the following month.
• He performed at the opening of new studios for his local station Belfast CityBeat in 2006.
• He is the younger brother of musician Bap Kennedy.
• In July 2008, he joined the judging panel of the Citybeat Young Star Search, Northern Ireland's biggest kids talent search.
• Brian also co-wrote girls aloud's "i dont speak french"

References

External links

• Brian Kennedy official site
• The Brighter Life of Brian

See also

• List of Northern Irish writers