Music star Eliot tells Chamber of Broadway date!

16th October 2014

Broadway beckons next year for 'Sheffield boy made good' Eliot Kennedy.

Songwriter and producer Kennedy announced the exciting development in his career at the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce President's Dinner at the Sheffield Cathedral. He has been invited to speak on the theme of local people doing well by his long-standing friend, Chamber President Stephen Williams. Kennedy plus his 'pal' Take That star Gary Barlow are the musical driving force behind the much anticipated musical Finding Neverland from film mogul Harvey Weinstein. It is adapted from the 2004 film about the novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie and his creation of the character Peter Pan. -I can't wait, said Kennedy. -The production is due to open on Broadway in April next year. I suppose this is an example of a local boy making good. Eliot, aged 45, began his music career by forming his first band while in his teens at Dinnington Comprehensive School in Rotherham. During his two decades in the music industry, he has worked with artists such as Bryan Adams, The Spice Girls, Aretha Franklyn and Celine Dion, as well as enjoying a 'Talent Development Producer' role during for The X Factor. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for -Never Gonna Break My Faith by Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige for the film Bobby, and an Ivor Novello award for -Picture Of You by Boyzone. Kennedy was given an honorary doctorate (DUniv) by Sheffield Hallam University for his contribution to the region's music industry, and for his outstanding work for charities, including his own One Song Foundation. He has just completed the production on Donny Osmond's 60th album. Mr Williams, who presented Eliot with a special guitar strap, told guests that he and Eliot had first met more than 20 years ago through a love of the Sheffield Steelers ice hockey team a passion which continue to this day. -Eliot is another fantastic example of a success story from this region. We wish him all the best on Broadway, said Mr Williams. Yorkshire based recruitment agency Elevation which has a strong relationship with the Chamber, and recruits on behalf of many of its members - was the event's headline sponsor for the second year running. Greg Parkinson, group managing director at Elevation Recruitment, said: -We are delighted to once again support the Sheffield Chamber and sponsor the President's dinner which helps organisations across the region to grow and reach their full potential. As a company with similar objectives, Elevation Recruitment is also working to support and respond to the needs of ambitious businesses in the Sheffield City Region." Proceeds from the Annual Dinner went to the Chamber's current Charity of the Year, Sheffield Alcohol Support Service (SASS), which provides community services for people in the city affected by alcohol misuse.