George Kelly discusses his decision to become a musician

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George Kelly discusses the music scene in Jacksonville, Florida in the '20s

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George Kelly discusses his level of fame

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Q: “The fame that should have come to you as a musician didn’t come, because you weren’t out there. You were simply happy making a living?”

A: “Then I got a break. Rather the big break came for me really, it was after I left Ink Spots. And, No, before I got at Ink Spots, I've never been overseas and I got a chance to go overseas in 1969. It was Jimmy Shand, Tiny Grimes, Paul Gunter, Hayes Alvis on bass and myself. So it seemed like after I came back from overseas, then my popularity started to gain a little bit, but then Ink Spots got me hooked up and they want my horn again. Then I decided that I'm tired. It's because I wouldn't get no sideman so I said my horn just couldn't waste it. So I decided to jump out and try. So I made a 45 record with Phil Schaap. It was called Jazz Label and they broadcasted over there in New York mostly, so I started getting a little building from there.”