Elly Kelly: Home
Great article about Elly and her music by John Cambell from the Independent (December 21, 2011)
The world accordion to Campbellford's Elly Kelly
It's 'a passion,' says local musician
CAMPBELLFORD -- In a house without electricity, the Arsenault family didn't lack for energy. Music electrified their Acadian household in New Brunswick and lit the spirits of people from miles around.
They were known as "the party family because there was so much music," recalls Elly Kelly, who grew up with the name of Elemonde, the youngest of eight girls in a brood that included seven brothers.
"It didn't matter what time of day it was, it could be Monday morning at seven o'clock or Sunday night at 10, we'd be playing music."
And step dancing in the kitchen, with the smell of fresh-made bread filling the air.
"You could hear the pots on the wood stove banging," she said.
By age 14, she was playing guitar and accordion with her parents and siblings at square dances, jamborees and talent shows in and around St. Charles.
She met Joe Kelly while living in Picton and married him four months later. They had three children.
Life was good, but then she lost her job at the chocolate factory in Campbellford after World's Finest shut down production in 2005. She had worked there for 19 years.
"I was devastated when it happened," Ms. Kelly said.
But it proved to be another case of one door closing and another one opening.
"My husband said why don't you start playing the accordion again ... (and) learn some tunes," Ms. Kelly said, so that the two of them -- Mr. Kelly played guitar -- could perform at an open mike show in Trenton.
"I thought there's no way they're going to like this accordion music," she said, but she went along with the idea.
The show launched her career. The place went wild, with people "jumping on chairs" and yelling for a CD of her music.
Months later, she made one at Ambassador Records in Oshawa. They sold out the first 1,000 copies and then another 1,000, and had to get another 1,500 CDs made.
Since then, Ms. Kelly, 59, has made three more albums, the most recent being a collection of popular Christmas songs she recorded in October. "The Gift of Music at Christmas" includes perennial favourites such as "Jingle Bells", "Silent Night", "White Christmas" and "O Holy Night."
It was her "hardest one" to make.
"I felt like throwing in the towel," she said. The reason: it marked the first time her husband wasn't there with her. He died of cancer in May 2010. They had been married 38 years.
"He was my biggest fan," Ms. Kelly said.
Paul Evans, the owner of the recording studio who also played steel guitar for the album, told her to pretend she was in her living room "and just let it go," she said. "By the jeez, it worked."
More than 200 people showed up for the CD's release at the Campbellford Legion on Nov. 26. "It was a big success."
It was the latest in a string of successes she's enjoyed since becoming an entertainer. She's performed in Quebec and her native New Brunswick as well as numerous venues throughout the area. She's played at the Music Industries Association of Canada trade show in Toronto as well as the Festival of Accordions in Moncton, where she received three standing ovations as well as appeared on stage with 41 other accordion players.
"If you're having fun on the stage and it's coming from the heart that's when the party begins," Ms. Kelly said.
She and her late husband collaborated on several compositions, including the "Campbellford Reel" and "Going Home", which she played at his funeral.
"It was a rough go there for a while (after his death)," Ms. Kelly said. "I thank God for my music because I don't think I would have ever made it without my music and hearing Joe's voice, 'Elly, practise, I'm not going to be there so practise ... You never know where your music is going to take you.'
He remains with her still.
"Joe's always in my heart and in my mind, close to me all the time," she said.
Playing the accordion is "my passion," she said. "It comes from the heart ... God has given me this special talent and I'm going to use it as long as I can."
It's a gift that has helped her overcome the loss of her husband as well as her own bout with cancer, which required surgery, but no additional treatment.
"I've had a lot of fun with my music," Ms. Kelly said. "People like it because it's fun music, it gets you going."
It's kept her going and made her stronger.
"It's been a journey, a hard one at times, but a good one."
Purchase the Christmas album on iTunes: 
Elly Kelly was chosen by ROLAND Canada to showcase the FR-18 diatonic digital accordion. ROLAND Canada approached Elly because of her unique playing-style. Elly Kelly introduced this instrument to the Canadian market at the MIAC music trade show in Toronto, on Sunday May 15, 2011.
Although Elly played music when she was young in new Brunswick she didn't start performing on a regular basis until approximately 5 years ago, in Ontario Canada. Elly quickly developed a unique, energenic and authentic performance style that resulted in an immediate and strong connection with a variety of audiences. Elly has recorded 3 cds and collectively, has sold more than 4000 of them at shows, record stores, through itunes, CD Baby, indiepool and other sources. Elly Kelly has more than 75,000 youtube hits worldwide! Elly Kelly is an independent musician operating outside of record label/management support and it is amazing that she has been able to achieve these milestones in the absence of standard industry support. Elly acknowledges she has a strong team around her made up of close friends, fans, radio stations and family members. Elly expressees deep gratitude to all of you that have lifted her up and supported her over these past five years.
Here is Elly doing Johnny Cash on the Roland FR-18 Diatonic Accordion:
Here is a video! It's dark, but sweet:
You may have seen Elly Kelly Perform on City TV's Breakfast Television on Monday January, 18, 2010. If you missed it you can now watch it below! She performed the song "Cooked stove pipe" from her first album, "Yesterday's Dream" and you can purchase it on itunes by clicking the link below... 
...or you can order a CD by following this link:
Elly has just released her third album, "Maritime Music", and it will also be available on itunes in the near future, or you can purchase a CD by clicking the buy now button below. 
Elly's second CD, "Home Sweet Home," is available at Sam the Record Man in Belleville, ON, or by contacting Elly directly. "Home Sweet Home" will also be available on itunes in the near future. All three CDs are for sale at Sam the Record Man in Belleville, ON. And also at Joanne's video and Music Buctouche, New Brunswick: Call 1-506-743-6880. Check out Elly Kelly's Youtube videos right below here. Thousands of viewers!