Billy Kennedy is assistant editor of the Ulster/Belfast News Letter, Northern Ireland's leading morning newspaper and the oldest English language newspaper, having been founded in 1737. Although born in Belfast in 1943, he has spent almost his entire life living in Co. Armagh. He comes of Scots-Irish Presbyterian roots and has a deep fascination for his forebears of that tradition who moved to America in such large numbers during the 18th century.
He is an authority on American country music and culture and has interviewed for the News Letter Nashville personalities such as Garth Brooks, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs, and Reba McEntire.
He has edited and compiled books on cultural traditions in Ireland, including twBilly Kennedy is assistant editor of the Ulster/Belfast News Letter, Northern Ireland's leading morning newspaper and the oldest English language newspaper, having been founded in 1737. Although born in Belfast in 1943, he has spent almost his entire life living in Co. Armagh. He comes of Scots-Irish Presbyterian roots and has a deep fascination for his forebears of that tradition who moved to America in such large numbers during the 18th century.
He is an authority on American country music and culture and has interviewed for the News Letter Nashville personalities such as Garth Brooks, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs, and Reba McEntire.
He has edited and compiled books on cultural traditions in Ireland, including two on the history of Orangeism in Ireland. -- paraphrased from The Scots-Irish in the Hills of Tennessee...more