Kevin Kittleson

My name is Kevin Kittleson. I don't really label my music as a particular style. I do favor acoustic instruments. I like Americana. On the other hand, I can rock out too.

I started writing songs at 16 when I bought my first guitar. I learned chords from other guitar playing friends and started to expand the things I could play. I was lucky enough to know a bar owner who let me play there when ever I wanted.

When I was 18, I was at my girlfriend's house when I heard what I thought was a record coming from the next room. It wasn't. It was her brother Jerry. He was very shy at first, but he was extremely talented. He could sing like Lou Gramm from Foreigner and taught me how to harmonize. He also introduced me to one of the best guitar players I've ever had the pleasure to perform with - Louis Yray.

It wasn't long before we were playing bars and other events. It seemed we were playing every weekend. The band was called Stone Pony (not to be confused with Linda Ronstadt's band The Stone Poneys). We did about half country music and half rock and roll. It was a great time with some great musicians. Eventually some of the band members went away to college, so playing gigs was nearly impossible. That's when I went in the Navy.

I continued to write in the Navy and played coffee houses when I could. It was a good experience. It's nice to break out of your own fish bowl and see the world when you're young.

I do play live in various places in Minnesota. Playing live is definitely fun, especially in a great venue. I've played a few dives before too, but I think it builds character.

A few special moments come to mind. Last summer I played at Patrick's in St. Peter, MN. I met three very good musicians in a band called The Wooden Nickels. They're brilliant and fun to jam with. One time at an open mic we had about 8 members of the audience jamming with us onstage. They all had smiles on their faces. To bad I had to leave before the tuba player entered the bar.

Last year I performed at benefit for Breast Cancer in The Palace in Montgomery, MN. They like it when I tell jokes between songs. I couldn't have asked for a better crowd or better people to jam with. And it was for a great cause too.

There are so many. I think every one that you like leaves footprints on your subconscious. I would say The Beatles were what made me want to write songs. They were young when they got famous, so I figured if they could do it, why not give it a try? It seemed like a good job.

Another band that influenced me was Pink Floyd. The day I bought my first electric guitar, I picked up Dark Side of The Moon. I'd never heard it. I didn't know who Pink Floyd was. When I heard David Gilmour play, I was hypnotized. I thought, "How can I make that sound with this guitar?" I didn't know anything about special effects or studios. I was just glad when I could bash out "Smoke On The Water".

One of my favorite musicians is Justin Currie formerly in a band called Del Amitri. Louis Yray told me about them, but it was years before I discovered Justin wrote the soundtrack to my life. I've been lucky enough to see him live twice. He's incredible. He has such a gift with words and melody. He's also an amazing singer.

I try different things. But that's kind of a question for gear heads. Generally, I just like playing my acoustic/electric. I can plug in when I need to, but still be able to play when I'm out in the boonies somewhere.

I think it would be nice to get into a band again. People have asked me why I never toured the country, but that because I haven't had that chance until now.