Kennedy nominated for prestigious music award

Woodstock country singer Traci Kennedy’s song about her daughter K’Lee reached number one on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown and was nominated for a prestigious Josie award. K’Lee died by suicide three years ago. (Contributed Photo).

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

About four months ago, the Echo ran a story on a Woodstock woman and musician dealing with the tragedy of her daughter's suicide in 2022.

Traci Kennedy wrote and recorded ‘You Never Said Goodbye’ and decided to release it. What happened next was nothing short of a country music explosion as the song climbed up the Canadian Indie Country Countdown. The song has also been nominated for the Social Impact Song of the Year at the upcoming Josie Music Awards in the fall.

“My jaw dropped. I was sitting on the couch when I saw the nomination come in, and I had to take a few minutes to absorb it before I could even speak and say anything to my husband. It was surreal to know this song made that much of an impact and was noticed,” explained Kennedy.

The Josie Music Awards are one of the largest independent music award shows in the world. They recognize and honor the achievements of independent artists across a wide variety of genres and roles in the music industry. It was founded in 2015 to celebrate independent music artists, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals who are not signed to major labels. It covers not only country, but rock, pop, gospel and other genres.

Nominees are chosen based on musical talent, work ethic, promotion, engagement, and impact, not just popularity or sales. The awards ceremony has been held at prestigious venues, including the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, where this year’s event will be held on Sunday, November 2.

Kennedy said she has no idea who nominated her, but she’s looking forward to the red-carpet event.

“Country singer Lorrie Morgan, who I idolized when I was getting into country music, was big on the scene in the early 90s and she’s receiving a lifetime achievement award that night. It’s exciting to be able to see someone I idolized at the same event where I am up for an award.”

The Canadian Indie Country Countdown is a fan-voted, weekly radio show featuring Canadian artists. An indie artist (short for independent) is a musician or band who creates, records, and releases music without the backing of a major record label.

Kennedy was ironically notified the song had reached number one on the chart on the third anniversary of K’Lee’s passing, July 6.

“At a time when I needed somebody to lift me up, that came through and it felt like a warm hug from above. We had been out on the boat at Long Point for the day to get out and reflect on memories and find some peace and quiet.”

She said when they arrived home there were a few messages from people who follow the chart.

“Check the chart, check the chart! It’s recognition, it helps radio stations look at you a little more seriously as an independent artist to see how your song has resonated with people and has continued to rise. I was just happy to make the chart period in the beginning, but to see it go up each week has been amazing.”

Just as important to Kennedy is the message of hope and comfort her song provides to people who have lost loved ones to suicide.  

“It’s reached people all over the world, as far away as Australia, Japan, Ireland and Mexico. It’s mind-blowing to see how your song can just get out there and find people who didn’t know they needed to hear it.”

The 58-year-old took nearly two decades off from making any music. She isn’t ruling out the possibility of coming up with more original tracks.

“I was talking with my song tracker to let him know how everything is just going crazy and he said he thinks it’s time I thought about putting out another song.”

Kennedy explained she swore up and down she was likely done because she hadn’t done any new music since 2006.

“I put my whole heart and soul into ‘You Never Said Goodbye’, thinking that would be my last kick at the cat but at the same time my head had been filling up with lines.”