Kelly Joe Phelps

I was driving along my merry way from and to somewhere about 15 years ago when this mind-exploding piece came on the radio. I pulled off the road to listen to it, then immediately called the radio station to find out who I was listening to. Shine Eyed Mister Zen is perhaps the most haunting album I´ve ever listened to. I caught Kelley Joe live at two small venues in the following years. He always made the whole audience feel like they were just hanging out in the living room with him. A great...

I just shed a tear for Kelly Joe, he played at my small club in Northern California twice. It was a huge deal for me and all the local musicians. Over the years I literally had hundreds of musicians come through: he garnered the most respect and anticipation. I only just learned of his passing, sorry I’m late with my condolences but I felt the need to express my love even at this late date. Take care.

I am in total disbelief right now. I am so saddened to hear Kelly Joe has passed. I, like many others, was waiting to hear news from him about his return to playing and decided to do a search today on the internet. I first heard of Mr. Phelps from my drummer while on the road in 1998. We toured 11 months a year back then and Kelly Joe is the first and last song of that soundtrack for me. I then saw him in Winnipeg in 2002 I believe and he blew me away. I still have a hard time watching anyone...

Kelly came to me at a Jack Johnson concert on the Gold Coast Australia about 2002. I met a Kiwi guy in the queue and afterwards we went back to his unit to eat chili and share music. He gave me Sky Luke A Broken Clock as a gift...and man what a gift. I grew up in Oregon and was always an avid blues man. Kelly's soulful growls and sweet notes suit my voice, and I mastered every track in about 2 months. Ten years later I was blessed to have him visit Cairns in Far North Qld where he played the...

Years ago when I lived in Hollywood Beach Florida, I heard Kelly was playing at the Bamboo Room in West Palm Beach for two nights. I went and while I was seated at the bar, suddenly Kelly was standing next to me; shocked I introduced myself to him and asked if I brought my 914 Taylor acoustic guitar up tomorrow night ,if he’d play it? He said “ during the gig’? After if you would I said to him, he said sure. The next night ,after another wonderful night of watching and listening to him, Kelly...

I have almost every CD that Kelly ever did. I love his music and it lives on. So sorry to hear of his passing.

The first time I heard Kelly Joe (Shine Eyed Mr. Zen) on a local station he simply took my breath away. Actually had to pull the car over to the side of the road to listen. Broke my heart a few minutes ago to read of his passing two years ago. RIP, Kelly Joe.

I arrived in Portland, Oregon in December of 93. I had left Boston 4 days earlier and was so very happy to be done with what turned into an epic train ride. Getting into town we went to the Laurelthirst Pub on Glisan and there was this guy playing lap-slide guitar and stomping an old wine box. I fell in love with Kelly Joe and his music that day. What an amazing musician, artist and human. I am so late to hearing he has passed on and just can't wrap my head around it. What a great loss. RIP,...

I've been thinking about you a lot lately, Uncle Kelly. My mom still plays your music almost daily. This past summer, I went up to Sumner, and I visited Grandma Marie and Grandpa Merton's grave, and I thought of you. It's been over a year since you've passed, and we miss you very much. I love you dearly.