HADLEY KENNARY
ARTIST/SONGWRITER
Described by PopMatters as “One part pop starlet, one part wandering troubadour”, Hadley Kennary is one of New Nashville’s secret weapons. Between projects she’s released under her own name, songs she’s written for dozens of other artists, and months spent on the road as a keys player/singer/tour manager, she has become a staple in the Nashville community over the past decade.
Kennary, appropriately pronounced like the bird, grew up moving around the US. After graduating from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she moved to Nashville to develop her craft. Since her arrival in 2014, she has independently released two EP’s and a string of singles, on top of her involvement in several artists’ projects in the New Nashville community. She has garnered support from several reputable blogs as well as Nashville's independent radio station Lightning 100.
Her songs are contagiously catchy and refreshingly honest. As a songwriter, she has had several songs recorded by wordsmiths like Morgxn, Bre Kennedy, Brittney Spencer, and Emily Hackett. Between her own releases as an artist and those she has penned for other artists, her songs have racked up over 7 million streams on Spotify alone, with placements on editorial playlists across the major streaming platforms and networks like MTV and The Hallmark Channel. Her songs have taken her everywhere from 2nd place in the Telluride Troubadour competition at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to performing with Bre Kennedy at the legendary Ryman Auditorium opening for Sheryl Crow.
Since live music returned post pandemic, Hadley has put thousands of miles into touring. In 2023, she sang and played in The Paper Kites during their North American tours. She's also building a name for herself as a tour manager, hopping on the road with artists like Lindsay Ell, Katie Pruitt, and Bre Kennedy.
Hadley's latest body of work as an artist, the “Crooked Roots” EP, was released October 29, 2021. Recorded in Nashville, this collection of five songs both nods to the early 2000’s songwriter-pop Kennary was raised on and introduces a fresh take on raw pop songwriting.
PRESS
“In-between stages in life are tough to navigate. Whether you’re looking for a new job, navigating the dating world, or figuring out a nagging aspect of your life, the way forward isn’t always clear. On new track “Potential,” Nashville songwriter and artist Hadley Kennary explores how to embrace the in- between.” - No Country for New Nashville
"Pure pop catharsis."
"Hadley Kennary, a local gem, is quickly becoming a favorite at Lightning 100."
“...she’s truly got lasting power in such a tough industry.”
"What more can we say other than A+ songwriting, a beautiful vocal, and universal content."
"Mixing a modern pop approach with her more folk-driven songwriting, Kennary conjures up a soaring sound that is at once infectious, light and thoughtful."
“One part pop starlet, one part wandering troubadour...she meshes studied musicality with personal experience to craft her layered pop sound.”