PRESS PHOTOS
Here are some hi-res photos of Jeni & Billy. Click the photos to download the full-sized images. All but the top and bottom photos are by Kim Sherman in Nashville. The top photo is by United Mine Workers of America Photographer Bill Burke; the bottom, by Gordon Whitted of Tazewell, VA.
Stage Plot
Click on the image below to download a copy of Jeni & Billy's Stage Plot.
Jeni & Billy have a deceptively simple style that will catch you completely by surprise. Longing for Heaven is certainly some of the best southern music I have heard in a very long time.
Duet partners Jeni Hankins and Billy Kemp have brought impressive measures of inspiration, artistry, and austerity in this minimalist collection of old-time ballads, heartsongs, and spirituals.
The focus of Jeni & Billy’s fourth CD, as heard on the lovely Sacred Harp classic title tune, is otherworldly affairs. A standout in this category, along with the title song, is their original, “Father Will You Meet Me In Heaven,” a powerful elegy for Johnny Cash’s older brother, Jack, who was killed in a gruesome childhood accident. The duo’s rendition of “On A Hill Lone And Gray,” inspired by Ralph Stanley, is also heartfelt and moving.
Hankins is the soulful wellspring of this collaboration. Born and raised in Virginia coal country, she brings a writer’s and singer’s finely nuanced ear to the cadences and imagery of her native Appalachia. You can hear this gift on “The Ballad Of Sally Kincaid” and “Cecil Roberts’ Hand.” These originals and others stand proud alongside covers of traditionals such as “Single Girl” and “I Saw A Man At The Close Of The Day.”
Kemp, a gifted multi-instrumentalist with an impressive list of studio and road credentials, also does some of the writing. But his major contribution is framing these songs with austere and subtle acoustic arrangements built on various combinations of guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin, harmonica, and occasional fiddle from Shad Cobb. (Jewell Ridge Records, 2126 Yank Rd., Mt. Gilead, NC 27306)
Jeni & Billy were not only a landmark success with the audience at the 33rd Annual Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival, but also had nearly all of our veteran performers and volunteers raving as well. I had many of our national and regional performers tell me that Jeni & Billy's music was their most exciting discovery in quite some time.
Their open, authentic and honest approach to their music and to others made them instant members of the musical community.Their expertise and clearness of expression made their classes and workshops very effective.
Their endearing personalities and excellent musicianship would be an asset to any musical event.
We look forward to having Jeni and Billy back to Toronto and would recommend them for any camp or workshop event where excellent musicianship and wonderful people are valued!
Since the Richmond Folk Music Society is primarily dedicated to traditional folk music, we rarely book singer/songwriters for our concert series. We made a exception for Jeni Hankins and Billy Kemp, and we're glad we did. Jeni's songs spring from the true vine. Steeped in a sense of place and community, her lyrics reflect the hardships,trials and sorrows of people whose lives have not been easy, yet they also resonate with humor, spirit and a deep and abiding faith and dignity. Jeni was raised in Tazewell County, Virginia, in the heart of coal mining country, and she draws the audience into the lives of the miners, their families and the little community of Jewel Ridge. She has an old fashioned, old style country voice that perfectly fits the songs she chooses. Billy is the perfect partner, skillfully accompanying Jeni with guitar, banjo and harmonies. They chat with the audience, tell stories, and leave the audience feeling like they've just had a visit with old friends. When they perform traditional songs, such as "Pretty Fair Miss" or "Single Girl, Married Girl" they do a cracking job of it. These two are tradition bearers - the next generation of traditional music.
I first saw Jeni and Billy perform at the FAR-West 2009 conference where, like everybody else I talked to, I was blown away with their presentation of Appalachian-roots style music. Nearly a year later, they made their first appearance on our stage and completely charmed our audience. The heartfelt music they write and perform so well and their sweet unassuming presence on and off stage made for a wonderful evening for the audience, presenters and volunteers. I give Jeni & Billy the highest possible recommendation.
For all folkies who are looking for traditional music, we have Jeni & Billy. They "Get It" as I've told my listeners. Jeni & Billy understand and, be it a traditional song or a song in the tradition, what they do is real gift to music. With spare instrumentals and sweet harmonies, "Longing for Heaven" is a dream CD and every song is a joy to play.
On Longing for Heaven: Jeni Hankins and I share the special bond of childhoods spent in the mountains of far southwest Virginia, Grundy and Jewell Ridge, not twenty miles apart----and her true sense of place shines through in every one of these authentically Appalachian songs. Jeni and Billy's stunningly original music is as old as those hills, yet brand new at the same time.The spare, simple arrangements not only showcase their musical talents but also highlight the brilliant writing; for Jeni is a true poet and a born storyteller, through and through---many of these songs contain whole novels. Of course my own favorite is "Sally Kincaid"---but then, I'm prejudiced!
Jeni and Billy trade in the same homespun feel as the Quebes although it belongs on the back porch as opposed to bars and dance halls. Theirs is the sparse folk sound of the mountains and backwoods folk, god fearing, hardworking, scraping a living but finding joy in family and friends. The pair play guitar, banjo and mandolin while Jeni Hankins carries the vocals with Billy Kemp adding counterpoint. Together they create a warm, honest sound as natural as flowers in a field. With a mixture of traditional and original songs they sing of drunkards, jilted lovers and ruined lives. Half of these songs could be turned into tear-stained movies, “The Ballad of Sally Kincaid” tells of a girl seduced by a thieving preacher who hangs himself leaving her to end her days in shame. “Father Will You meet Me In Heaven” is the story of Johnny cash’s brother, Jack’s tragic death seen as a redemptive moment for their father’s godless ways. A previous album, Jewell Ridge Coal, documented the lives of miners in south-west Virginia and here they sing a song for Cecil Roberts, the President of the United Mine Workers of America. It’s a reminder that even these days mining is dangerous, deadly even.
A pretty stunning album for anyone into old-time Americana. Jeni and Billy are currently touring in England.
Totally genuine and beautifully melodic sounds . . . Longing for Heaven is recommended.
Although it was actually recorded in a secluded cabin in the Carolina mountains in the dead of winter, Longing For Heaven is a wonderfully warm record, an album of companionship and quiet magic, and once under Jeni and Billy’s spell you’ll want to remain thus; longing for more of this heavenly kind of music in fact.
Jeni & Billy's latest album – Longing For Heaven – plopping on my doormat this morning has given me more joy than I can express and if I seem hyperbolic it’s because That’s What They Do To You.
Jewell Ridge Coal is the best CD by new folk/edge of bluegrass artists I’ve heard in a long time. Jeni’s singing sounds to me like a cross between the young Hazel Dickens and the young Iris DeMent. The songs . . . range from raw and powerful to sweet and funny. The instrumental work . . . is excellent; the harmony singing is just what you’d want it to be.
Jeni & Billy are artists I admire a lot — the acoustic Buddy and Julie Miller. They are truly a treasure.
"A sweet and surprising high point [of the Beverley Folk Festival] was the Appalachian duo Jeni Hankins and Billy Kemp. Singing songs from the Southwest Virginia coal mines, the pair melted hearts with songs like Tazewell Beauty Queen and Back Then, a heartbreaking tale of tragic love. Jeni Hankins' smile-infused Mother Maybelle voice was . . . perfect."
In recent years it's been practically considered a given that the writing of coal-mining songs is a thing of the past, but lo and behold, along comes an album of new songs related to, or inspired by, the coal-mining lifestyle. Jeni Hankins is the granddaughter of coal miners, so she is well steeped in the tradition. Her mournful vocals compare favorably with other Appalachian old-time folks singers . . . the accompaniment is always very spare, and the performances are never rushed . . . Jewell Ridge Coal is a very worthy addition to a genre that may not be so antiquated after all.
I found Jeni & Billy's second album Jewell Ridge Coal to be like Billy Elliot meets the Mamas and the Papas meets Dolly Parton. A little bit bluegrass, a little bit folk, and all original, the music feels simultaneously familiar and completely new. Their combination creates this powerful and unique flavor, and they sound so natural together, it feels calming and clear. Its as if you were there sitting on a back porch in old-timey South and they were right there with you and just stumbled upon some instruments.
Jewell Ridge Coal, is steeped in the traditions of the mines and the families whose lives depended on them. The production is simple and uncluttered; the lead instrument is clearly the voice of Jeni, for whom these songs are like members of the family.
I am very impressed with Jeni & Billy. Jewell Ridge Coal is quite the concept piece, beautiful to look at and listen to. I haven't been so swept away by any one CD since Gillian Welch's Revival came out.
Jewell Ridge Coal is really and truly a wonderful piece of work. The songs are fantastic, and Jeni, your voice is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. I will play it extensively on my radio show.
Thanks so much for this gift. May you make many more like it.
Everyone at all the libraries told me how complimentary our patrons were that attended your performances. The stories, music and your genuine enthusiasm captured everyone. Thank you for sharing your story and teaching us a little about your part of our country. Definitely we would love to have you back next year.
A radio listener who also happens to draw swell comix responds to "Chicken Ridge" on his blog -- this is one of our very favorite reviews ever:
When this track came on the radio on a sunny fall Sunday while driving around the Bronx, Jeni’s and Billy’s voices transported me away from the crumbling warehouses and over-paved neighborhoods to the Appalachian wilderness. There’s no narrative to the lyrics, but these two voices, guitar and banjo take you on a personal audio tour of a sad and beautiful place.
Jeni Hankins and Billy Kemp present original songs with an authentic, old-time edge.
