Peter Kearney
Artist Biography

Peter Kearney was born in 1947 in Sydney, the eldest of seven children. His parents Peter and Marie Kearney traced their family origins back to Ireland. Peter grew up in Sans Souci, a southern suburb of Sydney on the shores of Botany Bay. He was educated by the Mercy Sisters in Sans Souci and later by the Marist Brothers at Kogarah and Darlinghurst.

Peter completed an Arts Degree and Diploma of Education at Sydney University. It was there in 1966 that he met the University Chaplain at that time, Fr. Ted Kennedy, who, after hearing a couple of Peter's earliest songs, encouraged him to write some folk hymns. Fourteen songs were written over the next six weeks. The new compositions were sung at University Masses and as word spread, Peter was invited to teach his new songs to students at several schools and colleges. Later that year, publishers J. Albert & Son published the songs in a music book 'Songs of Brotherhood' - probably the first of its kind by an Australian writer. There was no recording, but by recommendation and word-of-mouth the songs spread throughout Australia and were popular in the the USA and the UK within four years. Forty years later, 'Fill My House' and 'The Beatitudes' are among the enduring songs from that period
In 1969, Peter travelled left Australia, travelled 'overland' through Asia, the Middle East and Europe eventually arriving in England where he lived for the next thirteen years, developing his musical skills and teaching in Secondary and Special-Education Schools.

In 1970, he wrote 'Songs of the Lord's Travellers', eventually recorded in 1985 under the title 'Where Is Your Song, My Lord?'. That year, 1970, was also the year when Peter read a book on St. Francis of Assisi. He was inspired to write, first one song then, over the years, many other songs to tell the life of St. Francis. This 'journey in song' - Good Morning Good People!  would become the major work of his creative life.

Peter returned to Australia in 1982, with an Irish wife, Madge and two children Jason and Niamh. They settled in Mittagong NSW and at this stage Peter began to make music his full-time work. Inspired by his association once again with Fr. Ted Kennedy and the Redfern Parish in Sydney he set about writing new songs which gave expression to the Gospel message of liberation and social justice. These songs were published in 1984 as 'Turn It All Around'.
Then, having equipped himself with van and PA system, Peter became the troubadour and started regular tours to various regions of Australia, city and bush, giving community based concerts for and with schools, parishes, peace and justice groups. New song collections followed 'Signs of Hope' (1986) and 'Celebration' (1987) 'his first album of songs for children, which soon became widely used in Australian Catholic schools, many adopting 'This Is Our School' as their school song.

In 1988, with his family, Peter undertook a 13,000km tour through outback Australia and in the same year released an album of reflections on Australian history and identity- 'The Year Of God's Favour?' One of these songs 'The Deaths Go On' about Aboriginal deaths in custody received the Declan Affley Memorial Award as the best new song at the Australian National Folk Festival.

Peter and Madge undertook another journey in 1989, this time to the northern hemisphere. Peter presented 17 concerts in Ireland and the United Kingdom including one in which he sang with Sydney Carter, composer of 'Lord of the Dance'.

On return to Australia in 1990, a series of concerts at major venues with his group 'Crossover' led to the release of an 'in concert' album 'Live . . . in the Land of Australia'. A studio-made album 'The Common Good' followed in 1993.
Peter's 'major work' on St. Francis had continued to unfold over 24 years. In 1994, with the help of grants from various individuals and organisations including the Mercy Foundation, Peter was able to take a year off from touring to complete choir and instrumental scores for  Good Morning Good People!'. This two hour 'journey in song', involving over eighty singers and musicians from his own area premiered with great success in November 1994 and has since been performed in Newcastle, Sydney and Canberra and as a smaller scale version in many other centres - including forty presentations in Ireland and Scotland 2004-8.

Peter has continued to write and record - (recording in his own studio 'The Little Portion' since 1996). Albums have included further collections for children  'All The World Is Sacred' (1996) and 'Growing in God' (2003), a Christmas/ Advent collection 'How Far to Bethlehem?' (1999). His most recent adult collections Islands of the Heart ' (2001) and 'A Gift of Song' (2007) have featured contributions on keyboard and accordion the highly respected Australian jazz musician, Kevin Hunt.

In 2004-5 and again in 2007-8, Peter and Madge have lived and worked in Ireland - Madge's homeland. As well as various events for adults including eight concerts as part of the Glasgow Archdiocese sponsored 'Lentfest', Peter has enjoyed conducting workshops and concerts in over one hundred Irish National Primary Schools.

For September, a 'Good Morning Good People' tour to several English Franciscan centres is planned. Peter and Madge return to Australia in November 2008.