Charles Kenny | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Charles Francis Kenny |
| Born | June 23, 1898 Astoria, New York, United States |
| Died | January 20, 1992 Eatontown, New Jersey, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, author, violinist |
Charles Francis Kenny (June 23, 1898 – January 20, 1992) was an American composer, lyricist, author, and violinist.
He was born in Astoria, New York.
His hit songs include "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky", "Love Letters in the Sand", "Laughing at Life", and "Because It's Your Birthday Today", all of which were written with his poet brother Nick Kenny. Nick and Charles together were a partnership that were credited on many song lyrics even though Nick alone contributed the lyrics.
In the 1920s, Kenny wrote music for Cecyl Grimes' Children's Playhouse and for radio scripts on WHN.[1] He helped produce his brother's show Nick Kenny Children's Show on WMCA, Arthur Anderson was one performer. The Kenny brothers would financially exploit the child talent, making them perform at gigs around New York City.[2]
He would later become a radio/TV editor at the New York Daily Mirror, where his brother was a columnist.
He lived in Easton, CT. He was married to actress Joy Hathaway, and they had four children, Charles Francis Jr, John, Kevin, and ZoAnne. ZoAnne died of pneumonia in infancy, and Joy Hathaway died also of pneumonia hours after ZoAnne's burial.[3] In 1958 he married Anna Susannah Mahometa.[4] He died in Eatontown, New Jersey.