ABOUT
Beginning their musical journey together in 2005—writing songs, performing, and leading worship throughout the Carolinas—Kenny & Claire Hilliard were married in 2008 but paused their creative pursuits while Kenny attended seminary and the couple started a family. In 2015, during Kenny’s tenure as a senior pastor and worship leader in Asheville, North Carolina, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Shortly after successful surgery to remove the tumor, Kenny received a second diagnosis, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome—a degenerative genetic disease that left him temporarily impaired. The couple embraced a return to music during Kenny’s recovery, founding a music teaching studio and further honing their songwriting craft by penning modern hymns for their home congregation.
Known for their emotive acoustic/folk originals and organic revivals of theologically rich hymns of yesteryear, Kenny & Claire’s critically acclaimed debut EP, Are You Weary, released in 2021. Pointing listeners to the Hope of Christ amidst life’s troubles, the couple released their full-length debut, Upon The Storm in July 2024. Helmed by GRAMMY-winning producer Mitch Dane (Brandon Heath, JJ Heller), the 12-track set showcases four freshly penned originals and eight modern renditions of enduring hymns.
In addition to participating in Getty Music’s prestigious International Hymn Writing Collective, the couple’s music has been highlighted by The Gospel Coalition, CCM Magazine, The 700 Club Interactive (CBN), The Baptist Press, GMA New Music Friday, Under The Radar (UTR), the Rabbit Room’s New Music Roundup, and Claire was named among “Ones to Watch” by the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) in 2021. In collaboration with Benjamin Daniel, North Wake Music, James Cheesman, and Greg Lafollette, Kenny & Claire have been featured as guest artists on numerous albums. Kenny & Claire now reside in the Nashville area with their three children, and they maintain an active touring ministry, leading worship and performing in numerous churches around the country each year.