Brian Kalinec is a Houston-based singer-songwriter. A native of Beaumont, Texas, he actively performed at many venues in the Beaumont and Houston area during high school and college. In January of 1976, Brian was a featured performer at the 75th anniversary of the discovery of Spindletop in Beaumont.
Songwriting has always been a passionate drive in Brian's musical life. Brian performed a song he wrote for his daughter Kerri titled "Challenged Child" at the 1980 National Convention of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, at the Houston School for Deaf Children's Charity Gala, and in several television appearances.
From 1995 to 1998, Brian co-produced the annual "Sonny Throckmorton Songwriter's Festival" sponsored by the Houston-Fort Bend Songwriters Association. He is an active member and past president of the organization.
In 1997, Brian started performing again on a regular basis. In 2001, Melinda Mones recorded her debut CD, which contained 3 of Brian's songs. Brian appears regularly in venues throughout Texas with Jeff Chambers and Carolyn Wallace. He has been invited to perform at many notable venues including Anderson Fair, Ovations, and JP Hops House in Houston, The Bugle Boy in LaGrange and the Logon Café in Beaumont. He has also appeared at numerous festivals, house concerts, and coffeehouses. He is currently booking national and international dates for 2009.
In 2007, Brian won first place in the 1st Annual Texas Songwriter’s Serenade songwriting contest at Fiddler’s Frolics in Hallettsville, TX. His music has also been featured on ABC News’ World News Now. In demand as well as a guitarist, Brian was nominated in the category of “Musician of the Year” for the 2008 Texas Music Awards. Also in 2008, Brian was selected as one of three finalists in the Rose Garden Songwriting Contest in Massachusetts, as a regional finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Competition, and as a finalist in the Susanne Millsaps Songwriting Competition at the Founders Title Folk and Bluegrass Festival held at Snowbird Resort in Utah. Additionally in 2008, Brian won Second Place in the Woody Guthrie Song Contest with his song “The Fence”. That same year, he was one of the two winners of the Big Top Chautauqua Song Contest in Wisconsin. Brian was recently nominated for "Singer/Songwriter of the Year" for the 2009 Texas Music Awards
He released his debut CD, Last Man Standing, on Berkalin Records in 2007. He is a member of NSAI, ASCAP, NARAS, the Houston Songwriters Association (HSA), the Woodlands Songwriters Association (WSA) and the Houston Association of Acoustic Musicians (HAAM).
Here are some reviews and remarks about Brian’s songwriting and performance:
“Last Man Standing is certainly the album of a mature performer, a series of gentle but precisely observed stories. While Kalinec is undoubtedly a skilled and sympathetic guitarist, it is apparent that songwriting is his first love and he is one those natural storytellers who can fire the imagination…The acoustic blues of Last Man Standing is performed without fuss or unnecessary frivolity, Kalinec's music is as unadorned as it is beautiful…One of the real appeals of Last Man Standing is its honest humility, the title song and ‘I Don't Know’ are written from the heart of an intelligent man. Brian Kalinec is no disinterested bystander--he is an integral part of every note and lyric.”
-Michael Mee, AmericanaUK
“Incredibly intelligent songwriting along with a mellow voice and excellent guitar playing make Brian a wonder to listen to…”
-Joanne Sprott, host, Harmony Coffeehouse
“Last Man Standing is a coffee-house kind of thinker from Beaumont native Brian Kalinec…he’s Houston-based now, with this new CD reflecting thoughts on good, honest men, love and tough relationships…
-Darragh Doiron, Port Arthur News
“Brian’s songs and arrangements are real gems…every one of them.”
-Ken Gaines, host, Songwriter’s Night at Anderson Fair
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“…he has a deft touch with a lyric and an above-average amount of wise leavening gained in the school of experience and living...”
-William Michael Smith, writer, Rockzilla, and Houston Press
Management: Charlie Stewart, Handshake Management Email: HandShakeMgt@aol.com
Phone: (512) 731-3543
For more information, visit: www.briankalinec.com and www.myspace.com/briankalinec
Email: briankalinecmusic@sbcglobal.net
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Thursday, January 15, THIRD COAST MUSIC SONGWRITER SHOWCASE welcomes celebrated Americana Songwriter Tim Henderson, Emmy & Kerrville Award Winner Bob Cheevers, and Woody Guthrie & Texas Songwriter Award Winner Brian Kalinec. Every Third Thursday at Austin Java, fine Americana songwriters perform with National Touring, Recording & Americana Charting Artists Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus at "Austin's Best Kept Secret".
Thanks for joining our circle of friends, and thanks for helping to keep Redd's legacy alive! Billy & Sharon (Stewart) www. reddstewart. com (Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys)
I'm pretty sure I can speak for all who were present at the Texas Music Awards, you had the redest guitar and the cleanest licks I've ever heard. Congratulations on your nomination for Musician of the Year...of the Year. Luv you man, de
Thanks for performing in our private showcase room at the 2008 Folk Alliance. Your songs and performance were great, and your presence complemented our room so well! We look forward to seeing you again - on the road somewhere!
Peace,
Michael & Brenda Creative Moondance Treasures, Inc.
