DMACC News

Jamie Aaron Kelley Returns to Boone
Posted 1/30/08

Boone native Jamie Aaron Kelley came back to his hometown to perform at a Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Boone Campus Foundation Fundraiser Saturday evening. This marked the first time in four years that Kelley performed in Boone.   More than 350 people attended the performance, which was held in the Boone High School Auditorium, familiar surroundings for Kelley who graduated from Boone High School 10 years ago.

“I would like to stroll around the hallways and reminisce,” said Kelley following his nearly two hour concert, which featured an encore.

Kelley also graciously signed autographs and had his picture taken with his fans for more than an hour after the concert.

At the Boone Campus Foundation Fundraiser, Kelley was accompanied by John Schumacher from Rhodes on lead guitar, Mark Alloway from Minneapolis on bass and Hank Muzney from Jefferson on drums.

The 27-year old Kelley began his music career at the age of three.  By the time he was seven years old, Kelley was performing shows on his own.  His main influences in music were Dean Martin and Elvis Presley, although he was interested in several genres of music such as gospel, blues, rockabilly, country and big band.

By the time Kelley was 21 he was well known for his outstanding voice and impersonation of Elvis.  Kelley, who records with Sun Studio, the same place where Elvis got his start, has performed on stage with the Grammy award-winning Jordanaires, Del Shannon, Fabian, Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, Bobby Vee and the Coasters.

Kelley wrote a song titled, “You’re Mine Tonight,” which received JPF Independent Music Award’s #1 Rockabilly Song of the Year for 2006.

Kelley is beginning a new tour Oct. 25 in Toronto, Canada.  He said the tour will feature a five person band, six singers and an eight piece orchestra.  He said it will also incorporate a 15' x 25' constantly changing screen in the background.

The concert generated more than $7,000 for the DMACC Boone Campus Foundation to be used for scholarships at the Boone Campus.  Last year, the Boone Campus Foundation provided more than $80,000 worth of scholarships for DMACC Boone Campus students.

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