Quick Facts
Biography
Irene Kelley is an American country and blugrass musician. As a songwriter, she has written tracks for musicians such as Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, and The Osborne Brothers.
Early life
Kelley is originally from Pennsylvania and in high school sang in a Led Zeppelin cover band. She was asked to leave the group after suggesting the band cover songs from Dolly Parton.
Career
Kelley moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1980s. This was after visiting on her honeymoon in 1983 and discovering the first gathering of the International Bluegrass Music Association. Kelley co-wrote the Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White song "Love Can't Ever Get Better Than This" with Nancy Montgomery. The song peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1987 and was awarded Duet of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards that same year. Kelley signed to MCA Records in the late 1980s.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Bluegrass | ||
| Simple Path |
| — |
| Thunderbird |
| — |
| Pennsylvania Coal |
| — |
| These Hills |
| 3 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country | ||
| 1989 | "Love Is a Hard Road" | 67 |
| 1991 | "A Rock and a Rolling Stone" | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||