Swearingen & Kelli
5-4-2024 (Ballroom)
The latest offering by Swearingen & Kelli (AJ Swearingen and Jayne Kelli), “Build Myself Up From the Ground,” evokes nostalgia for the folk and country music of a bygone era, while forging a path distinctly its own. The duo’s love for the dobro and string arrangements encased in pedal steel fill the self-produced-and-recorded mini-album. Harmonies honed through years of touring together and a closely shared life take center stage. The six tracks feature hidden gems from their vault of songs, a poignant piano ballad, and a heartfelt rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll ever Do Again).”
Although AJ and Jayne both received accolades for their solo work, their histories became entwined after a night of impromptu duets at the Hideaway, a cozy listening room in St. Petersburg. Their voices meshed effortlessly that evening, leading to more collaborations between the two musicians. AJ began playing lap steel in Jayne's band, while Jayne started singing harmonies on AJ's records. Before long, a romance had blossomed alongside the pair's ongoing collaboration, and it simply made sense to combine their individual efforts into a proper duo.
"We melded together naturally," Jayne remembers. "We weren't necessarily looking to form a duo, but we shared a bond because we were both still playing the bars in town, and we knew we wanted something bigger. We began playing together, and everything grew from there."
Swearingen & Kelli hit the ground running. They released their self-titled album in 2013, married in 2014, and returned several years later with 2017's "The Marrying Kind." They were a self-contained unit - a DIY duo capable of writing, recording, producing, and releasing their own records — with a long string of cross-country tours. They performed in concert halls, opera houses and living rooms, and even teamed up with local orchestras in cities like Cleveland for symphonic shows spotlighting the songs of their 1970s heroes, including Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, and Cat Stevens. Other songwriters took note of the gorgeous melodies and evocative lyrics of songs like “You’re Not Here With Me” (written by AJ and released on Swearingen & Kelli's debut), with longtime folksinger Tom Rush recording his own version of the song with harmony partner Nanci Griffith on the album "What I Know."
They continue to pay homage to the spirit of ’60s and ’70s folk and country music, supporting the stage for legends ranging from Crystal Gayle and Kenny Rogers, to folk icons Tom Rush and David Bromberg. With the new work in hand and accompanying tour set, the pair defies the odds and celebrates an indomitable spirit. Home to AJ and Jayne has become the road, the stage, and the people they meet at every show.
VIDEO 1 - VIDEO 2
The latest offering by Swearingen & Kelli (AJ Swearingen and Jayne Kelli), “Build Myself Up From the Ground,” evokes nostalgia for the folk and country music of a bygone era, while forging a path distinctly its own. The duo’s love for the dobro and string arrangements encased in pedal steel fill the self-produced-and-recorded mini-album. Harmonies honed through years of touring together and a closely shared life take center stage. The six tracks feature hidden gems from their vault of songs, a poignant piano ballad, and a heartfelt rendition of Kris Kristofferson’s “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll ever Do Again).”
Although AJ and Jayne both received accolades for their solo work, their histories became entwined after a night of impromptu duets at the Hideaway, a cozy listening room in St. Petersburg. Their voices meshed effortlessly that evening, leading to more collaborations between the two musicians. AJ began playing lap steel in Jayne's band, while Jayne started singing harmonies on AJ's records. Before long, a romance had blossomed alongside the pair's ongoing collaboration, and it simply made sense to combine their individual efforts into a proper duo.
"We melded together naturally," Jayne remembers. "We weren't necessarily looking to form a duo, but we shared a bond because we were both still playing the bars in town, and we knew we wanted something bigger. We began playing together, and everything grew from there."
Swearingen & Kelli hit the ground running. They released their self-titled album in 2013, married in 2014, and returned several years later with 2017's "The Marrying Kind." They were a self-contained unit - a DIY duo capable of writing, recording, producing, and releasing their own records — with a long string of cross-country tours. They performed in concert halls, opera houses and living rooms, and even teamed up with local orchestras in cities like Cleveland for symphonic shows spotlighting the songs of their 1970s heroes, including Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, and Cat Stevens. Other songwriters took note of the gorgeous melodies and evocative lyrics of songs like “You’re Not Here With Me” (written by AJ and released on Swearingen & Kelli's debut), with longtime folksinger Tom Rush recording his own version of the song with harmony partner Nanci Griffith on the album "What I Know."
They continue to pay homage to the spirit of ’60s and ’70s folk and country music, supporting the stage for legends ranging from Crystal Gayle and Kenny Rogers, to folk icons Tom Rush and David Bromberg. With the new work in hand and accompanying tour set, the pair defies the odds and celebrates an indomitable spirit. Home to AJ and Jayne has become the road, the stage, and the people they meet at every show.
VIDEO 1 - VIDEO 2