Minto Country Music Wall of Fame

Despite six albums, a two season television series, and thousands of live performances from coast to coast throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, she remains remarkably down to earth, affected by the music and the people she sings for.

In 1983, Joan entered and won the National talent contest. A year later she released her debut album, “I'm a Big Girl Now”. In 1985 she released a seasonable album called “A Christmas to Remember”. Her breakthrough album came next. In 1987 “Family Pride” spawned several smash singles and earned Joan sold-out concerts and a list of award nominations, including the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) single and Female Vocalist of the Year.

In 1990, Joan recorded for MCA Canada and released “Candle in the Window”. A truly successful album for Joan, “Candle in the Window” resulted in six top 20 hits, which helped make Joan a household name. She landed a weekly syndicated television show, ATV’s “The Joan Kennedy Show”, earned seven more CCMAs, two Juno nominations and was inducted into the NB Country Music Hall of fame in 1992.

“Higher Ground” was her next MCA Canada release and was an absolute smash, not only matched the popularity, the album spawned six top ten singles and earned Joan more Award Nominations, including the prestigious CCMA Entertainer of the Year.

In 1993 Joan ranked second only to Garth Brooks as Canadian Country Radio’s most played artist. The video “Talk to my Heart” was selected by CMT as the 1994 Canadian Country Video of the Year. She also won the East Coast Music Award’s Entertainer of the Year. The C.F. Martin Humanitarian Award, presented to Joan in 1995 recognized her devoted work on behalf of the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Joan’s latest release is a retrospective CD “A Dozen Red Roses” taking the listener on a Journey through the first twelve years of her recording career. Her CD features twelve of her most popular, most requested hits, and is the musical story of Joan Kennedy, the working man’s daughter from Douglas Harbour, a small farming Village in Central New Brunswick. The single “Wild and Free” climbed straight up the charts and was a smash hit for this vibrant artist.

“A Dozen Red Roses” was the most requested song on Canada’s #1 Radio Station, CISS FM in Toronto. Joan had released the album independently, but was signed with VelVel Records in Canada, which was distributed by EMI Canada

Joan wanted to diversify her talents and after moving to Portland, ME., decided to develop her writing skills and try her hand at acting. She landed her first acting job and wrote the title song. “Sometimes a Hero”, was produced in Victoria BC 1999. Currently writing for a new CD aptly titled “Sometimes a Hero”, Joan, who radiates charm, enthusiasm, and magnetic warmth, continues to tour and look for new opportunities in the new Millennium.