John Kelly is a Charlottesville-based singer songwriter with more than two decades of solo acoustic performing experience. He performs regularly at a wide variety of Central Virginia venues. John recently captured first prize in the 13th Annual Rapunzel's Songwriting Contest for his song "Good One There. Prior to moving to Charlottesville in 2001, he performed extensively in the New York area, including at numerous clubs (including the famed Bitter End), coffeehouses, bookstores and more. Building off of early influences including Simon and Garfunkel, Dan Fogelberg, Kenny Loggins and others, he has developed his own soulful style that is informed and inspired by singer songwriter artists including Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and Cliff Eberhardt, to name a few. Kelly worked with highly acclaimed producer Rob Mathes on his debut album, Brighter Days.