MUSIC

Join Block 7 Wine Co. on Sunday evenings for dinner paired with local live music performances that are stripped down, up close and personal. This week Ken Gaines!

Ken is a staple in the Texas folk music scene. He first performed professionally at the tender age of 15 and has been going strong ever since. He plays across the country, and consistently headlines the Kerville Folk Festival and other folk festivals throughout the state. Ken's down to earth manner, graceful acoustic melodies, and timeless lyrics personify the folk music tradition and direct where the genre is going.

Never quite got over Woodstock
Or November '63
And the things I learned at 21
Put a big ol' hole in me.
Never worried much about the bomb
Not a whole lot I could do.
I'll never get over losin' Mom
And I'll never get over you.

— © Ken Gaines from "Never Get Over You" 2006

"There are a lot of things I've never gotten over, especially my love of the song and it's performance. I can't remember when I didn't sing and, from a very early age, was fascinated with writing songs even as I learned and sang classic folk, rock, jazz, theatre and choral works. I've come to the point in my life where I have nothing better to do with it than write and perform on my own or with the people I love."

Houston area singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Ken Gaines has the goal of writing great songs in just about every genre and style. You won't be able to put a finger on what he does from sweet lyrical ballads, to double entendre blues, to swingin' jazz, and redneck rock. "For all of the great songs that have been written I belong to a wonderful group of people who believe there are at least as many great ones still to be written." His voice has the range to cover all of these styles and his supple guitar work lays down arrangements instead of just chords. His lyrics are both powerful and poetic and highlight his skills as a story teller and observer of life. In 2005 he was voted Singer Songwriter of the Year by the Academy of Texas Music and in 2007 his song was nominated Song of the Year and the Texas Music Awards.

Onstage Ken is both into the song and the moment. "Live performance for me is the culmination of all my thinking and practice. It's like a religious experience. I want you to laugh and cry on the same night and I hope you go home feeling like you've fallen in love all over again with someone or something you hold dear". Ken is available for concerts, house concerts, club shows, and festivals. He's often sharing the stage with one or both of his musical partners, Wayne Wilkerson & Karen Mal. His tour schedule takes him all across the US as well as his home state of Texas.

Ken has two solo CD's and a live cassette to his credit. His latest, "Catfish Moon" 2006 on the Songdog record label is a real taste of what it's like to hear Ken with Karen, Wayne, and co-producer Bill Ward with guest appearences by Gary Sapone, Jeff Duncan, & Ron Rebstock on several cuts. The previous CD, "Real Men", 2002, established Ken as a national act. Along with the live cassette "No One Else", 1991 he has songs on several compilations including "The Silverwolf Homeless Project" 1995, My Texas Music Radio Ready Vol. 2, Peace From the Porch, Vol 1 2004, and Uncle Calvin's 25th Anniversary Compilation, 2008. Through the years he's worked on numerous other recording projects and written for stage and film projects notably the feature film, "Blue Days Lost" and two co-written children's musicals, "Noah and the Ark" and "Journey of the Wise Men" produced by the Excellent Theatre Company in Houston.

Since the fall of 1998 he's produced and hosted a songwriters' series at Houston's legendary Anderson Fair . These Thursday night productions have become a must for traveling artists from all over North America who are breaking into the Texas territory, as well as a way to hear many of Texas' best singer/songwriters. “Talk about a great way to keep your edge as a performer. I love these shows!” says Ken. “Each night is a different mix and allows me to bring out a different aspect of my performance as well as the opportunity to feature and interact with so many talented people.”

Need an MC? Calling on earlier training in theatre Ken is now the "voice" of the Texas Music Awards. For 4 out the past 5 years he's worked as announcer for this prestigious event and enjoys it so much he's decided to add that skill to his repertoire again. If your looking for someone to MC or announce your event give him a call.

Finally, he's a regular around the Kerrville Folk Festival making sure his schedule allows him to spend the entire 18 days with fellow singer/songwriters both on stage and around the song circles. He's a board member of the Academy of Texas Music, a Wheel member of the Houston Association of Acoustic musicians, and a proud member of MyTexasMusic.com where you can find his music and hundreds of other Texas artists.