Twin Kennedy pauses country career for chemo

Happy International Women’s Day: Support for Julie

BY SHEREEN MORTON

Looking forward to the next Twin Kennedy concert? Unfortunately, we are going to have to wait for their return.

Originally, Julie and Carli Kennedy were scheduled to return to their hometown just before COVID changed the world. The next plan was to entertain us this January. However, the music has temporarily stopped!

Known to the world as the country duo “Twin Kennedy,” the sisters have paused their latest album release.

Many of you know Julie and Carli, and some of us are fortunate to have them as part of our lives. I had the pleasure of teaching them in Kindergarten and Grade One as well as being their neighbor at Lang Bay during their growing up years. Through these connections our families have become lifelong friends. We also have twin daughters and when the four of them are together, it is magical.

Julie Kennedy's father Bruce

For those of you who are new to Powell River, I will give a brief background on the two talented musicians. Julie and Carli have been singing almost as long as they could talk. When they were five years old, they performed at a wedding. From then on music became a priority in their household with their dad Bruce on his guitar accompanying them and mom Jaymie taking them to music lessons at the Academy and out of town.

Lang Bay kids Julie and Carli Kennedy and sister Katelyn.

They performed at local venues such as Sea Fair, Blackberry Fest, Folk Fest as well as at a Variety Telethon with another local artist, Rob Carriere. After graduating from Max Cameron high school, Carli and Julie got degrees from University of Victoria. In this period of time they taught music and learned a variety of instruments.

If you haven’t seen the duet of Julie on fiddle and Carli on guitar, you might want to check it out on YouTube. It is quite amazing!

Our hometown gals now reside in Nashville as their music careers continue to grow. Song writing is one of their passions and most of the songs they record are their own. They tour across Canada and the U.S. with their favourite venue being their hometown of Powell River. They have never forgotten their roots.

By now you may be wondering why I am authoring this article. As someone who holds these amazing young women in her heart, I wanted to share an update with you. Why did I state at the beginning that the music has temporarily stopped?

In December Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer. This has obviously been devastating for Julie and her loved ones. Fortunately, her doctor went into immediate action and Julie began chemotherapy before Christmas.

Julie has a long road ahead of her and is facing this challenge with positivity and courage. She decided to share her journey in the hopes that it may be helpful to anyone who should ever receive such a frightening diagnosis. Some of you may be following her on Facebook. However, if you are of my generation, you may not use social media.

Julie Kennedy started chemotherapy for breast cancer in December 2022

Julie has always brought joy into this world with her upbeat attitude and genuine smile and laughter. Now is the time when she needs support.

For more about Twin Kennedy, see twinkennedy.com.

Can you help Julie?

Our community has always looked after its own, so I am reaching out to all of you in the hope that you may choose to show support through prayer or by sending healing energy, or in any way you feel appropriate in times of need.

If you choose to be of financial assistance to help with the overwhelming medical costs a GoFundMe has been set up at gofund.me/51c6dea5

~ Shereen Morton