I have been playing music since the age of six. I started out on the violin, sang in the church choir and then picked up the trumpet at the age of 10.
At the age of 14, I took an interest in the guitar spending hours on end practicing and learning songs. I started teaching a friend when I was 17 and before long found I had the knack to teach and enjoyed it! I had found my passion and it sure beat making $3.50 an hour at the local greenhouse.
I attended Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL where I was presented with the Coral Bonnell Maconaghie Honor. I was in every musical event offered - show choir, jazz band, musicals and also played in a classic rock band while teaching guitar to get myself through college. I was also taking private lessons from a teacher at the University.
After receiving an Associates Degree at Lincoln College, I moved to Normal Illinois to attend Illinois State University. I earned my degrees from there in Business and Music. While at ISU, I studied Classical guitar under 3 different instructors, played in classical guitar quartetes, jazz ensembles and performed in the choir. I had over 40 students of my own while attending college at a local Music store and gigged around Central Illinois in a Classic Rock band.
My Junior and Senior recitals included pieces by Bach, Villa-Labos, Dowland, Tapriga, Scarllati, Mashkin, etc.
After College, I opened up my own guitar studio and I have been teaching ever since. I average around 80 students per week and have a studio at the Music Shoppe in Normal, IL.
I am currently the Coordinator for the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) for the Central Illinois chapter. I have been songwriting for the past 16 years and am currently getting interest in my songs down in Nashville. I have also started hosting a Writers in the Round once a month to get local talent on stage to perform. It is held the 2nd Thursday of each month at the NV Ultra Lounge uptown Normal.
For ten years I performed all over the Midwest with the band, Hazzard County, which is no longer together. Some of the great entertainers I have shared a stage with while touring have included: Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, Charlie Daniels, Montgomery Gentry and Alan Jackson just to name a few.
I currently play with Brushfire Band out of Bloomington. I play the guitar, fiddle, singiharmonies and write originals. I am a songwriter and currently write songs with several different people who are VERY talented!
I have been married to my best friend and greatest supporter, Jayne, for 12 years. She and my family have been my biggest fans and supporters. I love them all.
Hey Kirk - I'm an SIUE classical guitar performance grad and have played pieces by some of the same composers that you have. Glad to make your acquaintance. www. budsummers. com
Wow...Wildhorse Saloon. Know it's gonna be a great show! Hope I get to hear you again someday soon! You are truly one talented guy. Take care and give that beautiful wife of yours a hug for me.
Hey Kirk! Wanted to tell you that I am on vacation with my family and my nephew brought his guitar! He had to practice! :) I told you that he was the best. :) Jilly
Glad that I got to meet ya and hear a few songs last night! I think that it is hilarious that you recognised me from myspace! :) My hair just gives me away I guess. :) Have a great week!
It was great seeing ya'll! You still sound great! Everyone wants to come see ya's again soon...so maybe this weekend...we will have to see! Have a great one!
Kirk...I miss seeing you play the fiddle! Now that I'm finally 21 I can get out to see a show :) I'll definatly try to make it to one sometime soon!! Hope everythings going well for ya'll!
I have been playing music since the age of six. I started out on the violin, sang in the church choir and then picked up the trumpet at the age of 10.
At the age of 14, I took an interest in the guitar spending hours on end practicing and learning songs. I started teaching a friend when I was 17 and before long found I had the knack to teach and enjoyed it! I had found my passion and it sure beat making $3.50 an hour at the local greenhouse.
I attended Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL where I was presented with the Coral Bonnell Maconaghie Honor. I was in every musical event offered - show choir, jazz band, musicals and also played in a classic rock band while teaching guitar to get myself through college. I was also taking private lessons from a teacher at the University.
After receiving an Associates Degree at Lincoln College, I moved to Normal Illinois to attend Illinois State University. I earned my degrees from there in Business and Music. While at ISU, I studied Classical guitar under 3 different instructors, played in classical guitar quartetes, jazz ensembles and performed in the choir. I had over 40 students of my own while attending college at a local Music store and gigged around Central Illinois in a Classic Rock band.
My Junior and Senior recitals included pieces by Bach, Villa-Labos, Dowland, Tapriga, Scarllati, Mashkin, etc.
After College, I opened up my own guitar studio and I have been teaching ever since. I average around 80 students per week and have a studio at the Music Shoppe in Normal, IL.
I am currently the Coordinator for the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) for the Central Illinois chapter. I have been songwriting for the past 16 years and am currently getting interest in my songs down in Nashville. I have also started hosting a Writers in the Round once a month to get local talent on stage to perform. It is held the 2nd Thursday of each month at the NV Ultra Lounge uptown Normal.
For ten years I performed all over the Midwest with the band, Hazzard County, which is no longer together. Some of the great entertainers I have shared a stage with while touring have included: Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, Charlie Daniels, Montgomery Gentry and Alan Jackson just to name a few.
I currently play with Brushfire Band out of Bloomington. I play the guitar, fiddle, singiharmonies and write originals. I am a songwriter and currently write songs with several different people who are VERY talented!
I have been married to my best friend and greatest supporter, Jayne, for 12 years. She and my family have been my biggest fans and supporters. I love them all.
