Kelly's first solo effort, "Short Stories", shows just how much can be accomplished by an artist entirely independent of the major labels. "Short Stories" was written, performed, recorded, and produced entirely by (Stephen) Kelly in his own Glue Factory studios. Drawing on past masters as diverse as "Leadbelly", Jim Croce, and the Beatles, he weaves a tapestry of songs that settle over you like a familiar, cherished blanket. With styles reminiscent of Tin Pan Alley ("Say that you'll be Mine"), to the Delta blues of "Don't you weep for me", "Short Stories" is nothing short of phenomenal in the breadth of its range.
As a teenager, Kelly grew up touring the northeastern U. S. bar/club circuit in the early '70's. In those days a band had to be able to go from a disco tune to a heavy metal tune to a country lament, and had to be able to do it 4 or 5 sets a night for 6 nights a week! (The seventh night was usually reserved for piling in the van and traveling to the next town) This helped develop him into the vi