Book, new album taking up time

Harney County Save A Stray was notified on Wednesday, June 5, that the Father Ray Kelly concert scheduled for September has been postponed until next year.

Angie Tiller, who’s helping to promote the concert, said, “We are truly saddened that he will not be coming to the USA or Burns in September, but he did tell me personally that he promises to be here next year. Those who purchased tickets may hold onto them (as they will be honored next year), return them to place of purchase for a refund, or donate it to Save A Stray.”

Tiller said Father Ray Kelly explained the postponement on his Facebook page:

I know there has been huge disappointment that I had to postpone my three concerts in USA this September. Believe me, I am as disappointed as my friends in Toledo, Greeley, and Burns. Please allow me to explain. First of all, I am a full-time parish priest in Oldcastle, and fulfilling that role is a hands-on job in itself. Since 2014 and the Hallelujah story, my life has changed hugely. I am still working full time in my parish, and when I take on trips to the USA for concerts, I use up my holiday time for these trips. I love going to the USA for concerts and, please God, more people will invite me again. As many of you know, Gordon, my manager, set up a Kickstarter to help fund a new album for me. I had hoped to record this album last January/February, but in all honesty, I couldn’t face it when my little dog, Biddy, was on her last weeks. I was hoping to record then in June/ July following the Kickstarter funding. That did not work, but that’s OK. In the meantime, I got an offer late last year to write my memoirs from a publisher. I was progressing very slowly until the publisher informed me that they wanted the completed work by end of July, in order to have it ready for Christmas. So that’s what I am at now, burning the candle into the early hours of the morning to get finished. So until I have this completed, the album is on hold. My plan is to record the new album during the month of August and September if Nigel Wright, the producer, can fit me in to record. And that’s my reason for postponing my three concerts in the USA. I promise, I promise, if those three canceled locations will still have me back next year, I will be there. I hope you understand, and please God by Christmas, there will be a new album and a book to go with it.

Love and hugs to all my friends,
 Fr Ray