Depends on who I'm playing with. Lately I'm doing a lot of solo gigs, At my solo gigs I accompany my vocals with an acoustic guitar through a looper unit which gives me the ability to loop my guitar rhythms and switch to a lead instrument (mandolin,harmonica,lead guitar)as well as bass.................................................. When I can bring a band,my own band at this time consists of myself on acoustic guitar,vocals & harmonica,Brian McNamar on mandolin & vocals,Julie Myers on bass & vocals,we are still looking for a percussion person but we manage with or without Solo or with my band the music consists of my original tunes mixed with a large amount of early rock, folk rock,old rhythm & blues,new acoustic as well as some Irish, Scottish and blues..........................................................................As any band leader knows though it's a wonderful change to work as a side man with other bands and I've been given the privilege of being "Permanent /Guest" harmonica player for the blues band "Blues Bureau" which consists of Dewey Cantrell on electric guitar and vocals,Jodi Bodley on vocals, Mike Kellow on the drum kit and vocals and Kurt Keller on bass and vocals.
Kyle Dean Patten cut his musical “teeth” playing acoustic guitar in the Midwest during the 1970s. He got his start at the Baptist church he and his family attended in Hampton, Iowa. Patten recalls that his father would borrow the pastor’s keys to the church, where his dad taught him how to work a microphone and develop stage presence.
Although he felt more at home in rural Iowa, Patten recognized that cities offered more opportunity for stage time. He moved to Des Moines in the early 1980s where he joined with local and regional artists, working his way through four bands and releasing a CD with The Slim and The Bear Band in 1993 (an acoustic band in the Allman Brothers/Lynyrd Skynyrd vein. Patten was “The Bear.”)
In the late 1990s Patten focused on his solo career as he continued writing songs. His ongoing association with local and regional musicians helped further his prowess on guitar and vocals as he learned to play mandolin, flute, Irish whistle, and blues harmonica, on many occasions getting “the call" from bands needing a sideman. Playing with other musicians and bands, Patten says, “is still one of my greatest privileges—to join a friend on stage and add just a little extra to an already great stage show."
In 2000 Patten released a solo CD, “Invisible Man,” that featured his own compositions with a collection of top local musicians backing him up.
Patten frequently performs benefit concerts, including the annual benefit for the Food Pantry of Boone, Iowa, for more than ten years. In 2008 the Food Pantry surprised Patten with an on-stage presentation of the “Musician of the Year” award.
Along with solo performances and sideman gigs, Patten still puts together his own band from time to time. While venues in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kansas have become familiar territory, Patten hopes to add more states to the list. True to form as a musician, he says, “I just love meeting people and playing for them.”
Hey Bear!! Sorry I've been busy and lazy about posting our gigs.The Tortured Father band has been reformed with two new members and is now back up and running.I wish I could make your next jam , but I will be on a long awaited vacation.Please let me know when your next one is and I will bring the new band down.I found a couple of real good players, not to mention John Zantow is playing with us when he can.Great to hear from you , I hope we can make the next one. have a good one!!!!!!!1
Hey Kyle I have more from the b-day I will be posting and tagging for you. If you know people in them and they have a myspace tell them to add me then I can tag them. Also if you know any musicians that need pics let them know about me.
yes I enjoyed it alot even us being the only kilted guys there Im going to make that place a hang out how offen do you get out there let me know thanks
a great hello to a freind......a brother a man whos words mean so much to a small town boy traped in a big town body great to see u up and about bro keep the jam alive
Hey Kyle. Good to hear from you. Unfortunately i wont be around the 10th but wish you a great birthday and a great jam!! I'm playing AK's West on the 20th, so if your not busy come out and bring your harmonica's. See ya. RB
