The Kennedys

Music on Malphrus Presents: The Kennedys "Smoketree" CD Release Tour Friday, January 8, 2027 Doors open at 6:30 and show starts at 7PM. The Kennedys return to Music on Malphrus, located at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, 110 Malphrus Road, Bluffton, SC 29910. For further info: https://uulowcountry.org/collections/music-on-malphrus Pete and Maura Kennedy met at The Continental Club in Austin, Texas, in 1992. They first played and sang together a few days later, and, in no time at all, they had written their first song. Their first date was a road trip to Buddy Holly’s grave in west Texas. Pete was a member of Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra at the time. Soon after, Maura filled a vacancy in the band. The duo doubled as Nanci’s opening act, and The Kennedys set off on a lifelong road trip. As a duo going strong for more than 30 years, The Kennedys have recorded two dozen collections of mostly original songs, along with interesting side projects. The duo’s early albums, beginning in 1995, established them as core artists on the AAA and Americana charts. Despite touring at a rate of 50,000 miles per year right up until the Covid lockdown, they found time for a four-year stint as folk deejays, hosting “The Dharma Café” on Sirius/XM radio. When Covid struck, they didn’t lose their stride, performing over 150 livestreams and playing over 1,000 songs for a global audience. Nowadays, Pete and Maura are back “home on the road” and busy in the recording studio. Their 2026 release, Smoketree, is the follow-up to the duo’s 2023 release, Headwinds, which spent a month at #1 on the national Folk DJ chart. Smoketree consists of all original, newly written songs that reflect their feelings on things both timely and timeless: environmental concerns, social upheaval as families and entire populations flee violence, the search for peace in the world and peace in one’s heart. All of these are touched upon with their trademark upbeat tone of uplift and encouragement. They are known for bringing the light rather than simply cursing the darkness, and they continue that approach with Smoketree. Well-traveled, never tiring of the life of wandering troubadours, The Kennedys look forward to hitting the airwaves and the stage with their blend of energized folk-rock, passion, and a sense of kindred spirit camaraderie with their audience. Music on Malphrus is an acoustic listening room located in Bluffton, SC, dedicated to hosting live performances. This intimate venue welcomes folk musicians and singer-songwriters, offering them a platform to connect with a family-friendly audience. The space emphasizes authentic and heartfelt musical expressions, celebrating the rich tradition of folk music and storytelling. Its intimate ambiance ensures a unique and personal connection between the artists and their audience, making it a gem in Bluffton's cultural scene. ​Tickets are $25. Purchase is available below or cash/credit at the door. We recommend reserving your seat by booking online below. If purchasing within three hours of the show, please purchase at the door. There are refreshments available! Music on Malphrus performances are held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, located at 110 Malphrus Road in Bluffton, South Carolina. Although the venue is a UU church, the performances have no religious affiliation and are solely for entertainment and to enjoy live music. Doors for the event open at 6:30 p.m., and the live music commences at 7:00 p.m.