IN MEMORIAM: James Kelly AKA Slim Chance
July 1, 1956 — October 7, 2026
Atlanta musician, Creative Loafing writer, and philanthropist James Kelly passed away on the morning of Wednesday, October 7. Kelly had been in the intensive care unit at Grady Memorial Hospital for approximately two weeks. It was there, while undergoing tests, that it was discovered he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. On Tuesday, his partner, Claire French, and brother, Rick Kelly, who had cared for him round the clock while doctors attended to his medical needs, had him transferred to hospice care.
Known as Slim Chance by many Atlantans for his years fronting Slim Chance and the Convicts, a country band that established itself at the Austin Avenue Buffet, Kelly helped found this city’s Redneck Underground along with the Black Top Rockets and others. He was happy to be known as a musician and avid music collector digging through the crates at Wax ’N’ Facts and other area record and CD stores, as well as rummaging through the stacks at flea markets and thrift stores throughout the city. Indeed, Kelly’s love for the country greats whose recordings he searched for was widely known, but he could look at fandom with a discerning eye, as he proved in the Lisa Roach co-directed Elvis Presley documentary, “Riding With The King,” about a pilgrimage to the ultimate fan epicenter, Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
Kelly’s down-home demeanor and sympathetic approach could easily have been attributed to his being a nice guy. But it went much deeper than that. Kelly was a licensed clinical psychologist for years, specializing in behavioral analysis and autism. When he listened to you, he listened. And he probably understood better than you what you were talking about. Not that every conversation with him was a therapy session, but he could sure give you answers you weren’t expecting.
Sometime in the 2010s, he and French started holding record and CD sales in his driveway in Cabbagetown. The Saturday morning events — boxes of recorded music stacked on rickety folding tables and displayed on old doors laid on top of uneven saw horses — became legendary. At first, neighbors and friends made up the majority of buyers, but, as time went on, strangers and store owners from Athens to Macon started making their way to the sales — and the money started coming in. But it went out just as quickly. With every sale, musicians, or people in the music community with health or medical issues, would be designated the recipients of the sale’s take. The sales were a lot of work. Not only because Kelly would scrounge around to buy records, CDs, DVDs, or whatever, to always replenish the stock — as the intent of the sales became established, much of the inventory was through donations — but the set-up and tear-down, starting early in the morning and going through the late evening, was no easy task. Lugging the heavy boxes in and out of storage, Kelly began to say the one he was wrapping up would be his last. But he never stopped. It’s estimated he raised well-over $70,000 for people in need.
Helping others wasn’t just Kelly’s nature, it ran through his veins. He was a strong proponent of his beloved Cabbagetown neighborhood, a place he lived for 40 years, and contributed greatly to help establish the area for its historical significance, both musically and culturally, whether through the Cabbagetown Chronicles CD he produced or in helping to create the Joyce Brookshire Memorial Amphitheatre in Cabbagetown Park. In striving to preserve the neighborhood's fabled past, Kelly became the embodiment of Cabbagetown's present.
Perhaps the best person to tell you about James Kelly is James Kelly. Searching through his Facebook posts from the last decade, here is a curated round-up of comments that really offer the final word on the man.
James Kelly
July 2 2026
"How terribly strange to be 70" - Paul Simon "Old Friends" 1968
I was 12 when I first heard this song, and that line seemed so alien and distant to me. Well, here am. A huge and sincere thank you to everyone who acknowledged my birthday, it warmed my heart to read every one of those best wishes and comments. There is no love like Facebook birthday love, and I am basking in it.
Psychologist Erik Erickson wrote about the 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, and the last stage is Integrity vs. Despair (65 to death). The focus of the stage is on resolution and perspective, as we ask ourselves "Have I lived a meaningful life?" Depending on one's self view, two things can happen - those who feel proud achieve wisdom, while those with regrets may experience bitterness and despair. I think I have done pretty good, and even in the current times when despair seems to hit us every day from outside sources, finding the positives is not impossible. I'm not quite ready for the park bench, but I will enjoy my naps. Again, thank you all for the love and support over the years. I appreciate each and every one of you.
James Kelly
June 24 2026
I see a great psychology dissertation study playing out in real time. Someone is going to make a name for themselves by studying and explaining the utter madness of the Reflecting Pool fiasco. As the "vandalism" grows from 250-300-350 feet daily, people are "arrested" for touching water and damaged paint, and the so called news media treat it like something real, the conspiracy psychos are having a field day.
A study of this craziness would rival Watson's little Albert's aversive conditioning project, Milgram's "shocking" authority study, and Zimbardo's prison experiment, to name but a few. Call it "The Madness of King Donald", or "St. Vitus Dance 2026". We are living in the most insane times.
James Kelly
June 21
The date recently slipped by, but I wanted to share this moment in Slim Chance and the Convicts' history. On June 11th 1986 I busked in front of Fellini's during a Little Five Points festival for the very first time. One of the workers in Fellini's came out and dropped a dollar in my tip jar. It was the only dollar I made that day but I am very proud of it. Thank you Tim Nielsen for passively encouraging me to always tip a busker, no matter how they sound. And to clarify, Porter made that comment to someone else, I think it was one of the Mavericks.
James Kelly
June 4 2026
On June 4, 1986, Slim Chance and the Convicts played their very first show at Georgia Retardation Center in Dunwoody. Over the past 40 years the band has gone through many changes, but the commitment to having a good time and celebrating the music we love has never wavered. A special ton of gratitude goes out to Dangerous Dan and Tony Drummer, the original members who helped shape the future of the band with open minds and a willingness to tackle any song that we decided to play. I salute every person who has been an official part of the band or an honorary Convict, and every person that ever came to a show, bought a recording, and supported us in some way. We are planning to celebrate this landmark anniversary throughout 2026-27 with a series of shows, and hopefully you will be able to celebrate with us. Thank you to everyone who has made the last 40 years such a fun and rewarding part of my life.
James Kelly
July 2, 2025
Thank you to everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes. They were a bright light on a dark day, as I somehow got COVID for the first time ever. Last year on my birthday I was in treatment for a rotator cuff injury, this year COVID. Hopefully next year it will be something simple, like schizophrenia ... I have the best pals in the world. I love you all. But stay away until monday.
James Kelly
June 1, 2025
It was a tough day in Atlanta with 2 memorials for Little Five Points legends. Attending Harry DeMille's celebration was an incredibly bittersweet time. Harry was a rare gem in this world-easy going, eloquent, vastly intelligent, and one of the kindest people I have ever met. The sadness was overwhelmed with the joy of seeing so many there to celebrate his life, and to once again cross paths with people I love that I have not seen in years, and have missed. You know who you are, and hopefully I got to hug, shake hands, fist bump, or simply share a smile and a word with each one of you.
Thank you to Sean Bourne and Wesley for putting together a very special and fitting event. And much love to Alice DeMille, who made Harry's life so much richer for so many years.
While I didn't have the emotional energy to attend Maggot's memorial at the Star Bar, he and his loved ones were in my thoughts throughout the evening. He left a great legacy, and won't be forgotten.
April 20 2025
James Kelly
One of the primary reasons I moved to Atlanta in 1983 was because I loved Wax & Facts so much. Harry DeMille and Danny were two of the first people I met, and I knew I had to be part of that scene. Harry never wavered in his welcoming personality, and I will cherish my friendship with him over all these years. Sending condolences to Alice DeKelly , Danny and Sean Lee Bourne, all of the former and current employees of Wax & Facts that benefited from the time they spent with Harry, and to all his customers and friends, there are so many of us. My heart hurts today.
James Kelly
September 18, 2024
When I was a Behavior Specialist at Brook Run (an institution for the developmentally disabled) we had a group of teenage boys who figured out that cussing was a great way to get staff attention and upset them. In order to establish some stimulus control over the behavior, I started a "Cussing Group" one afternoon a week, where they could come to my office, close the door, and cuss as much as they wanted for 30 minutes. The staff had been trained to say "Cussing Group is on thursday" then ignore them if they cussed on the unit. It sounded like this cartoon, and the most difficult part for me was remaining stonefaced and not laughing. They eventually got tired of it, and stopped cussing. ... B.F. Skinner would have been proud of me-behavior extinction without punishment.
James Kelly
June 2, 2024
I spent the first day of Pride month at a memorial for my friend Janet Smith, and it was a splendid and actually affirming event put on by her partner Susan Archie. Hundreds of people were there, all friends and family who knew and love these two great women. Since then I have been thinking about it, and in retrospect it was such a "normal" memorial, celebrating the life of a wonderful woman with her wonderful partner. The crowd was so diverse, and so representative of Janet and Susan's world. They welcomed everyone, with no regard for any of those "demographics" that people focus on far too much. If you were an ok person, you were in their circle, and it was a wonderful place to be.
Sexual orientation was not even considered, and hanging out with Janet and Susan was just hanging out. I have been very fortunate in my life in Atlanta (since 1983) to have been welcomed into a part of this world that was open minded, diverse, and filled with happy, artistic, intelligent, and friendly people of all types. My life has been enriched by their presence, and their acceptance of others served to be a great model for me. Thus, because of that rich environment in the 80s, my friendship with Janet and Susan was so easy and "normal", and I love them both very much.
I am deeply saddened by Janet's passing, as she was a special person in every way, and I am heartbroken for Susan's loss of her lifelong partner. In Janet's memory, and for Susan, I dedicate myself to be a better ally for Pride month than I ever have, and to stand up and stand by my many other dear friends who celebrate, and deserve every right and freedom to be who they are. I love you all.
James Kelly
March 6, 2024
I can't remember the exact date but in March 1994 I left my 8 year job as a Behavior Specialist at Brook Run (formerly Georgia Retardation Center). Since then I have had a one year regular full time job as a Psychology Intern at Austin State Hospital (formerly Austin Lunatic Asylum). Other than that I have been a self employed consultant slacker for the other 29 years. Free lance life has been good to me, and I thank everyone who has been a part of it. When I say "you ain't the boss of me", it's true!
James Kelly
August 3, 2023
I cannot remember the exact date, but in August 1983 I moved from Murfreesboro to Atlanta with my old friend Mike. The draw for me was technically graduate school at GSU, but the real truth is it was Wax & Facts and 688. We found an apartment on Mansfield Ave in L5P for a whopping $285 a month, and settled in with just enough time to see Elvis Costello at the Fox a week or so after arriving. It was the beginning of a 40 year adventure in urban living (with one year in Austin for an internship) that has shaped me into the person I am today. What a long strange trip it's been…
James Kelly
July 2, 2023
Facebook birthdays rule! I am touched and honored by each and every post, as it shows me just how far and wide the reach of the internet can be, and that the old and new friendships forged over the years are real. Took a hot sweaty walk yesterday morning, saw "Asteroid City" (I give it a 6) with my sweetie Claire, watermelon for lunch, a tasty bottle of Czech lager (available at Lidl, delicious!), then much needed relaxation the rest of the day. There's a new Zappa triple CD waiting for my ears, and some Amazon gift cards to squander on guitar strings, etc. I might even spring for the DVD of Elvis' "A Change Of Habit" just to complete my EP movie collection. Might as well accomplish at least one goal in life. Love, love, love! ... To all my friends!
James Kelly
April 29, 2022
I cannot begin to explain the incredible influence and importance Willie Nelson has had on my life, and my family. Both of my parents were huge fans, and his music has been a part of my world for almost as long as I can remember. In addition to being one of the greatest songwriters and entertainers of all time, he is still a humble, down to earth, and accessible person who takes the time to let his fans know he appreciates them. Happy 89th birthday to the living legend- Willie. I am looking forward to hearing your new album! ... Yes, I am on his bus. No, we didn't burn one.
James Kelly
October 12, 2021
Many of you know my family history with regards to traditional Scottish and Irish folk music. My Dad and brother Rick Kelly played around Nashville for many years, and I occasionally got to sit in. We all shared a great love for the music, and it was a wonderful bonding experience. One of my Dad's favorite bands was the Chieftains , and he had just about all of their albums. I have them now. One year at Merlefest I was fortunate enough to see them, and Paddy Moloney was gracious enough to pose for a pic with me. I'm pretty sure my Dad was secretly jealous, but tried not to show it.
Paddy Moloney passed away yesterday at the age of 83. He took a little bit of my heart with him, but we will always have his music.
James Kelly
October 24, 2020
In 1976 I lived in a rented room (actually a porch) in Memphis while I attended MSU. My two housemates and I frequented a local bar, and one night we played JJW's "Jaded Lover" about 10 times in a row and LOUDLY sang along every time it played. We were thrown out, and the record had been removed from the jukebox on our next visit.
When "Dark Side of the Moonpie" was released, Slim Chance & the Convicts had the great opportunity to open for JJW at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. He was very complimentary after our set. The airline lost JJW's luggage, so he played the show in flip flops, shorts, and a Hawaiian shirt. He was still amazing.
RIP JJW. Today I will play "Jaded Lover" 10 times in a row, and sing along in your memory. Nobody will throw me out of my own damn house.
James Kelly
December 1, 2019
And with a click on "SEND" I just submitted my contract termination notice to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health, ending my career as a Behavior Analyst effective December 31, 2019. For the past 34 years I have devoted the vast majority of my time to providing behavior supports, consultation, staff training, and advocacy to the special needs population in the Atlanta and north Georgia area.
It has been the journey of a lifetime, and I have learned more about myself and human nature than I ever expected. I realized that it is essential to keep an open mind and never stop learning, never be dogmatic, and always respect the unique differences that every single person brings to your life.
I am not fully "retiring", as I am keeping at least two other psychology jobs. But it is time to move on to other things, to free up some time for myself and my loved ones, and to fight some other new battles to try and make the world a little better for others. I have some plans...
This is going to take some time to sink in, so bear with me if I get weird (er).
James Kelly
September 6, 2019
I ran into a couple of my former special needs clients that I worked with many years ago, yesterday at Kroger. It was a real thrill to talk to them again. One asked if I "still had that band" (the one he saw play our very first show ever on June 4, 1986 at GRC), and I was shocked he remembered.
The other was a young guy with high functioning Autism (Asperger's type) who was obsessed with 80's music. He knew every band, every member, every song. But it had to be 80's. I used to call him "Mr. 80's" which was on the sign he put on his bedroom door. Every time I went to his group home I had to have a couple of cassettes or CDs to reward him for good behavior. He usually got one of them, but it had to be 80's music.
When he saw me in Kroger (it has been about 7 years) he immediately said "Do you have a CD for me?" I didn't, but he showed me his smart phone and said "I have all my music here". He pulled up a playlist to show me and it said "Great 90's Hits!" I asked him why he didn't show me an 80's playlist and he said "Oh I go both ways now." He had no clue what that implied, but I started laughing, and he laughed, then gave me a hug and walked away.
Music... the greatest thing in the world, next to love. I am going to miss my clients when I retire, but there will always be the music that bonds us.
James Kelly
September 5, 2019
I am pretty dang proud of this one. Thanks to the publicists and writers of the program, Creative Loafing for the space, Tony Paris for the go-ahead and contacts, and Gina Webb for the wonderful editing/proofing. Y'all make me sound smart.
James Kelly
June 5, 2019
Another example of the "No good deed goes unpunished" maxim. I mailed two checks to the recipients of our recent record sale, and one went to the designated individual with no problems at their home address. The other, which was placed in a US Post Office mailbox and addressed to a US Post Office PO box, was somehow stolen and cashed by someone else, along with a second duplicate check. Seems like an inside job to me, given the situation. Now I have to change my bank account, wait 10 days to get new checks, revise my direct deposits, etc. The bank will likely reimburse me as the forgeries were so obvious to the person who reviewed them for me. It sometimes pays to have terrible penmanship.
From people stealing collectibles by taking them out of the priced bags and claiming them as $1 albums to dirtballs stealing checks intended for those with medical issues, crime has made a serious impact on my motivation to continue these sales. I realize these are minimal outliers in the grand scheme of things, and that the vast majority of people who attend and help are there for the good of the project. I may need to revise my payment delivery style. My apologies to the dear friend who is still waiting for her record sale money. ... One more sale this fall, then I will contemplate the future.
James Kelly
May 19, 2019
If I had to list the names of everyone who helped make the May 18 record/CD sale a success, we would be here all day. You know who you are, and I am humbled by the efforts, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. From contributions to help with set-up and breakdown, and simply attending/buying stuff, the community proves once again that music is love. Those of you who assisted are saints, as are those who spent their money. We made a bit over $3000 and it will be shared with the recipients, who I know sincerely appreciate your efforts as much as I do.
The physical toll was pretty brutal, with the heat and duration of the event over 2 days (setup, out in the sun, and the extremely difficult fatigue-dampened breakdown). I am considering my options for the Fall, and hope to find a better way to do this without making it a near death experience for me. That being said, it was absolutely worth it. ... Thank you all. I love you all. You make me feel good about being a human.
James Kelly
June 20, 2018
I have not told many people this story, and the very few times I did, it was to get a laugh. Recent events have reminded me of the real feelings in the situation, so I will tell it one more time.
When I was 6 years old, my parents and I immigrated to the US in February 1963. We had a layover in the NYC airport before our last leg of the journey to Texas. Being the inquisitive nosey parker I was well known to be, I wandered around a bit while my parents rested, and somehow went through the automatic sliding glass doors that went "OUT". The doors closed behind me, and I could not get back in. For about 30 seconds, I completely panicked, unable to return to my parents, and no clue how to get back in the airport. Somebody walked up to go "OUT", the doors opened and I ran back in.
That 30 seconds was absolutely terrifying, and has stuck with me as a well suppressed dark spot for 55 years. Reflecting back on those brief emotions now tells me the intensity and trauma that those immigrant children have been experiencing for hours, days, weeks, and even months in some cases. It is the epitome of cruelty to do something like that to children, and any defense of that policy is a mirror into a sick soul.
On a positive note, I got a watermelon for my Texas birthday, and turned out pretty ok, didn't I? Well???
James Kelly
December 31, 2017
Reflections on 2017
Well, we survived. Barely. It has been a tough year in terms of the incredible animosity that has spewed forth on social media due to the lies, spins, denial of truth, etc. Blocked a bunch of folks, and unfriended a few for some pretty egregious comments. I think the political climate in America is severely toxic, and something big needs to happen soon. A major paradigm shift is likely in the works, so stay tuned.
Fortunately my family and close loved ones have been relatively safe and healthy. Mom had a few episodes of concern but at Christmas she was still plugging, in spite of a bad cold. I have been ok healthwise, my sweetie is ok, and my close friends are all ok. There were several tragic losses that profoundly affected people I know well, whose loved ones and pets have left this mortal coil at an alarming rate this year. I send love and consolation to you all, and share your pain.
Work has been interesting, changes abound but income has been stable. Some ending of previously important things - dropping the Board Certification Behavior Analyst credential was a long time coming, but it felt right. Also a new beginning – a peer review job I can do from home, on my own time. I like this, although it is brain draining.
The Convicts played a few good shows, still not finished the damn album, and already thinking about the next one. A solo Slim Chance record may be on the horizon, stripped down tunes that just do not fit the Convicts’ repertoire. But I promise to finish the one we already started, in 2018 it will appear.
Claire and I did our 5th and 6th record sale fundraisers in 2017, and brought our total contributions to those in need to over $12,000 for the last 3 years. We are very proud of these events, but to be honest it is very hard work, and I am not sure how many more I can physically pull off. Hopefully I can get some help in 2018, and save my back and knees for golf and walking in foreign countries.
To each of you who I converse with and enjoy keeping up with on facebook, who I see in real life, and who I cross paths with in whatever aspect of the world we share, I wish you a very Happy New Year. Regardless of the direction the country takes, we can support each other and minimize the damage on a local level. Love, friendship, positive energy, music, and community. We can make things better, and we will.
James Kelly
January 28, 2017
I am an immigrant. My parents were/are immigrants. We came to America from Scotland in 1963 when I was 6 years old, not to “escape” a violent regime, but for opportunity. We followed all the rules to establish permanent resident alien green cards, and kept up our annual check-ins and renewals. We worked. We paid taxes. My parents bought a home in 1965 where my Mother still lives. I became a US citizen in 1979, and took an oath to support my now homeland. My Mother became a citizen in the early 90s so my Grandmother could come here, but Granny eventually returned to Scotland. But my Mother retained her citizenship. My Father passed away in 2007, never renouncing his Scottish citizenship, but maintaining his legal resident alien status until he died. His dream of providing “opportunity” for me and my brother Rick, who was born here in 1965, came true. We are both successful, contributing, patriotic Americans who have survived, accomplished goals, never placed a financial burden on the system in any manner, and participate in making this country a better place. The fact that we had this opportunity and made the best of it speaks to the greatness that America can be. THAT sort of life is the American Dream, and THAT is what 99.9999% of today’s refugees want. But THAT is now being denied, without justification, rational thought, or foresight of the consequences.
Like I said, I became a citizen in 1979, and swore an oath to the USA. I have upheld that oath all these years, and while there have been a few “WTF” moments when the politicians in power have done some things that I believed were just not right, I have NEVER been as disappointed and ashamed of America as I am today. The fact that human beings with the LEGAL right to enter the country are being systematically denied for whatever reason is a disgrace, and the rejection of refugees escaping abject horror is antithetical to the basic premise of what America is. This is the exact opposite of the reason why my family came here, and I while I am grateful for that opportunity, today I am sadly grateful for the fact that my Father is no longer here to see what is happening. This rejection of humans is disgraceful, punitive to the wrong people, and clearly a pathological indication of the pervasive sickness and hate controlling the nation’s capitol. This knee–jerk xenophobic bullshit is going to start another world war, and everyone vs. the US does not look like good odds.
Disgusted. That’s the only word I have that describes my mindset right now. Utterly disgusted.
James Kelly
November 28, 2016
In the mid '80s there were only 3 people who consistently shopped in the Country Music section at Wax'n'Facts - me, Kelly Hogan, and Richard Bicknell. We all became fast friends, and have shared a love of music for many years. Now Richard needs some help from the community. Please give if you can to this wonderful human being. —CL—
James Kelly's contributions to CL
2019
Three chords and the truth? And then some ...
2020
The state of the (Redneck) Underground