Traci Kennedy: A Voice of Healing Through Heartbreak

(Contributed photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It has been almost two decades since 58-year-old Traci Kennedy, a country singer currently living in Woodstock, stepped into the recording studio. Now, she is making her return with a powerful, emotional ballad, about to touch hearts everywhere.

‘You Never Said Goodbye’ is set to be released on all digital streaming platforms today (March 14), a song that carries the weight of profound loss and resilience. Kennedy explained writing the song wasn’t just a creative endeavor, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. In July 2022, life threw her a heart-wrenching curveball when she tragically lost her 30-year-old daughter K’Lee, to suicide.

"I completely wrote the song myself and came up with the melody," she said. "With the help of some wonderful friends in the music industry, I was put in touch with a producer out of Toronto named Matt Koebel. When we sat down together back in October, instantly, I knew I was in good hands when he took the melody that was in my head and brought it to life! One month later, we were in the studio with a fantastic team of musicians, and the end result brought tears to my eyes. It was perfect!"

Kennedy said her friends were all very supportive after the tragedy and kept telling her when the time was right, she would write a beautiful song.

“I didn’t want to believe that because I was hurting, but I had a blank notebook one of K’Lee’s friends gave me as a gift. She intended that if I woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to get thoughts out of my head, I could write them down. If I didn’t like what I wrote, I could tear it up.”

The book sat on her nightstand for a while, and then, little lines started coming.

“I wrote them down and then put the book away. It ended up taking almost two years for me to finish it. When you look at the lyrics, you might think how could it have taken so long? It was just the way I had to go about writing it. It had to come from the heart.”

Kennedy said her main goal with the song is to bring awareness and comfort to those who have suffered through the suicide of a loved one.

“It’s not like I am an artist coming out with a new song and I am going out on tour. It is me getting a message out to anyone who needs it. There are a lot of people in my shoes and I say that because when this happened to me, I had a few friends go through the same thing around the same time.”

She added its baffling how suicide has become somewhat of an epidemic because people aren’t getting the mental health support they need.

“COVID certainly didn’t help and that’s when a lot of my daughter’s problems started. It was the isolation and not knowing how to function. At the same time, she acted like she was fine. When I finished writing the song, I stood back and looked at the lyrics and I thought it was going to be healing for a lot of people.”

Kennedy explained that when you lose someone to suicide, the survivors left behind grapple with an array of emotions that can be overwhelming.

"There are days filled with tears, moments when you want to scream, and waves of anger that catch you off guard. You might find yourself blaming your own heart for not recognizing the signs. It’s a journey that no one should have to take alone."

Kennedy describes the song as being on the softer and sweeter side.

“I wanted a song for those who have lost somebody and can relate to the pain, grief and confusion that goes through the brain. They need to know they aren’t alone in how they feel.”

The next step is to send the song to country and adult contemporary radio stations that, hopefully, will play the song.

Although she has taken a step back from touring life, her passion for music remains as vibrant as ever. Balancing her role at a local dental office in Woodstock with her love for singing, she currently brings joy to residents in retirement and long-term care homes across southwestern Ontario on her days off.

“I believe music has the power to heal and uplift, and I cherish the moments spent sharing my gift with those who need it most.”

More information can be found on Kennedy’s website at www.tracikennedy.com.