James Kennedy is a renowned rock musician, best-selling author, and host of the James Kennedy Podcast, where he engages with influential thinkers, trailblazers, and rockstars. As a keynote speaker, he is celebrated for his engaging storytelling and ability to inspire audiences. His greatest achievement is his acclaimed autobiography, 'Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock ‘n’ Roll Underdog' which details his journey from being a half-deaf child from a tiny, remote village in South Wales, to being hailed as a genius by the UK's biggest radio station and headhunted by major record labels.
Kennedy’s early career is a testament to his resilience and self-taught musical prowess. Despite his disability, as a child he mastered multiple instruments and went on to release eight albums, tour internationally, and perform thousands of shows. His journey is characterised by a relentless pursuit of self-improvement and an unwavering dedication to his craft, making him a compelling figure in the music industry.
James has achieved significant recognition throughout his career. His autobiography, 'Noise Damage', became a number one best seller in multiple categories and received high praise from critics - including being hailed as "easily the greatest book ever written about music and being in a band" by Sirius XM host, Eric Host. Additionally, his insightful podcast features conversations with rockstars, business leaders, mental health experts, and activists, showcasing his diverse interests and expertise.
Hiring James Kennedy as a keynote speaker offers a unique opportunity to explore a variety of topics, including the music industry, mental health and wellness, hidden disabilities, resilience, performance, and balance. His speeches are not only entertaining but also provide valuable insights into maintaining good mental health while pursuing life-affirming goals. Audiences benefit from his candid discussions about living with hearing loss and his emphasis on identifying what truly matters in life. Kennedy’s engaging style, combined with his humour and authenticity, ensures that his messages resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impact on all who hear him.
How to hire James Kennedy
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring James Kennedy for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
James Kennedy's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Music Industry
- Mental Health and Wellness
- Hidden Disabilities
- Resilience
- Performance
- Balance
OFFICIAL FEEDBACK FROM IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL EVENTS
FEEDBACK FROM IN-PERSON EVENTS:
"James addressed a very mixed group of people at our event, and captured the attention of every single one of them. He delivered some open, direct messages that were both inspiring and thought-provoking, but his sense of humour left everyone laughing while his personal and professional anecdotes were fascinating. Feedback was unanimously positive, with most people saying they'd have liked him to have spoken for longer." - Hearing Link
"James is refreshingly honest when sharing his story. It was so inspiring to see someone open up and be real about their journey - the ups and downs, and the lessons they've learned along the way. It's not always easy to be so open in front of others and James does it with grace, authenticity and humour – a reminder that being genuine can have a powerful impact on those around us." - Resound
- 2023 – Released his solo album Make Acoustic Great Again EP
- 2022 – Started the James Kennedy Podcast, a weekly podcast, where he interviews musicians, activists, politicians, and authors on a variety of topics
- 2020 – Released his solo album Make Anger Great Again, a politically charged alt-rock album
- 2020 – Published his autobiography, Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock 'n' Roll Underdog, which became a best-seller on Amazon
- 2018 – Began fronting James Kennedy & The Underdogs
- 2017 – Released his solo album Home
- 2016 – Released his solo album Cover Songs Vol 1
- 2015 – Kyshera released their album Circle
- 2013 – Released his solo album The National Health Service
- 2012 – Released his solo album 9.i.P
- 2012 – Kyshera released their album Made in China
- 2010 – Kyshera released their album Paradigm
- 2010 – Established his own independent record label, Konic Records, which has represented many artists and now exclusively manages his own music catalogue
- 2002 – Joined alternative rock band Kyshera
