Emma Kelly

Emma Thompson Kelly (December 17, 1918 – January 17, 2001) was an American musician. Known as the "Lady of 6,000 Songs",[1] she appeared in both John Berendt's 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and its 1997 movie adaptation.

For the English footballer, see Emma Kelly (footballer).
Emma Kelly
Emma Kelly (at the piano) and Nancy Hillis in 1994
Background information
Born(1918-12-17)December 17, 1918
Statesboro, Georgia
DiedJanuary 17, 2001(2001-01-17) (aged 82)
Savannah, Georgia
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsPiano
Years active1940s–1980s

Her nickname was given to her by Johnny Mercer, who — after challenging her to play numerous songs he named — estimated she knew 6,000 songs from memory.[2]

Personal life

Kelly was married to George Kelly for 47 years — from 1936 until his death from a heart attack in 1983 at the age of 70.[2] Together they had ten children.[1] Her youngest son, Ross, tried unsuccessfully to commit suicide after breaking up with his girlfriend. He fired a rifle at himself, but it punctured his lung instead of his heart. It left his mother with a hospital bill of $40,000, which meant she had to work day and night towards paying it off.[3]

Death

Kelly died on January 17, 2001, from a liver ailment. She was 82.[1]

Accolades

Kelly was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1998.[4] She performed at the event.[5]

References
  1. "Emma Kelly, 82, 'Lady of 6,000 Songs'" - New York Times, January 29, 2001
  2. "Our 'Mrs. Emma'" - Statesboro Herald, October 18, 2015
  3. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Random House, 1994, John Berendt)
  4. Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee list
  5. "Emma's acceptance piano speech Emma Kelly Ga Music Hall of Fame" - YouTube, October 26, 2014
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