Kenny was raised in western N.C. In high school he began studying at Penland School of Crafts. First in pottery later in glass, in 1978 he moved to Detroit to study at Center for Creative Studies. Later he transferred to California College of Arts and Craft to receive a B.F.A. He spent 16 years as a glassblower in the S.F. East Bay, then moved back to N.C. While construction a studio there, he managed the glass studios at Penland. He is in the collections of many museums and private collections.