...about Kevin

Kevin Elliott has maintained an uninterrupted love affair with the contemporary folk sound he first heard as a child in the 1960’s. This sound, which has ebbed and flowed in the culture, but which has never disappeared, is experiencing yet another resurgence in popularity today.

Kevin began this journey by listening over and over to the singer-songwriters of his youth, the usual folks, Lennon and McCartney, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and the like. Although Kevin’s taste has expanded over many different musical borders since then, at the core is the sound of a voice telling a musical story to the accompaniment of an acoustic guitar. This is what you are likely to hear when you tune in to Kevin’s radio show, “From the Joshua Tree Inn,” on WEFT, 90.1 FM, Champaign, IL, which he has hosted for 12 years.

Now this is also what you can hear on Kevin’s recently released first CD, You Really Had To Be There, which has more or less been in the making for all of these years.


...his other life

While music has always permeated everything he has done, Kevin has bopped around doing other day jobs, formerly working with his hands doing factory work, construction and truck-driving … or just bumming around … before going back to school as an adult, and obtaining the education and credentials and settling into his work as a therapist for the past 15 years. He has a successful private practice in Champaign, IL.

...his biking Life

When he isn’t doing that, he is likely to be riding his bicycle, which takes him near and far, including a September ’06, 1200 mile solo ride from his home in Urbana, IL to Austin, TX. But music is never very far away. The trip to Austin, made with his iPod in his ear, culminated at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, were he met up with many of his musician friends and correspondents.

...his radio life

What “free time” he does have, he uses to prepare for his weekly radio show, which airs on Tuesday’s from 6 to 8:00 PM on WEFT 90.1 FM in Champaign. Besides corresponding with musicians, he scours music magazines, contacts record companies, tracks down indie labels, listens for hours on end and finally culls the best of the best to be included in his weekly program. You can now listen to the program streamed on the web at www.weft.org each Tuesday evening ... that's 6 to 8:00 PM central time!

All the years of listening have not only resulted in a radio program that has touched many, but have materialized in Kevin’s own unique take on the sound of contemporary folk in his own compositions. His playlists influence DJs and music lovers around the globe.

View the playlists on his blog: Folk.Play.List

...and singer-songwriter too

Over the past 30 years or so, Kevin has written numerous songs, written pieces for solo guitar, performed alone and with others, and now has finally released his first CD, You Really Had To Be There. He is a talented singer and guitarist who composed all of the songs on the album.

Evocative of the work of the aforementioned Paul Simon or Tom Waits, these songs are populated with a variety of endearing, left-of-center characters, who tell their quirky stories in ways both moving and amusing.

With rich and colorful language, set to beautiful melodies, these songs will stick with you. And Kevin’s fingerstyle guitar playing carries the songs; it is often elaborate, but never intrusive.

Sample the musical storytelling of Kevin Elliott. You will want to listen again and again.

...what friends are saying

Hey Kevin, a bunch of us are sitting around listening to your CD and really liking it.  Your voice is so fluid and gentle.  I am particularly drawn to The Promised Land for lyrics and general groove but the whole thing is downright lovely.  Your guitar playing fits so well with your voice and lyrics, plus it sounds gorgeous.  My 5 year old likes it too BTW.

xoxox

Laura Love 

Hi, Kevin - Thank you so much for your CD. I have really been enjoying it. Your songwriting is so smart - and I am so envious of your guitar playing! I hope all is great with you. Hope to cross paths again soon!

ox Edie Carey

Hey Kevin, I just played your cd. Thanks for sending it to me. I love the puppets on the cover! It sounds wonderful! My favorite song is"Memories of that Afternoon." It's sad but very good! Great lyrics!

Best Regards,
Sally Spring

Hi Kevin, Thanks for the CD.  Who knew you were a sensitive guy with a twist?!!  Interesting tunes and you're a good singer.  Good luck with it.

Yours,
Joe Goldmark

Hey, Kevin! Thank you for YOUR record! I was trying on some
suspenders today and my first thought was "New Hat and
Suspenders..."

Gratefully,
Sara Hickman

Hi Kevin,
Your music sounds beautiful!
Aud (Audrey Auld Mezera)



Kevin-
 
I enjoyed listening to your CD, it's really nice to hear just voice and guitar and the songs are super, so that's all you need! Hope our paths cross again soon.
 
Abi Tapia

Kevin.

Lovely record. I especially liked "Patterns of Blue," and the "Raccoon" song.

Mary Battiata

Hey Kevin,

I listened to your music. I really liked Impressions, the guitar progression took me by surprise every time--very pretty.

Kristin Cotts

Hi Kevin, Many thanks for the wonderful "You Really Had To Be There...". Packed with great songs. My current fave is "The Promised Land." Love your finger-picking!

Ray Mason

hey kevin- i'm baaaaad about rememberin' to write folks....but finally wanted to write to tell ya i dug your cd! real nice guitar playin', some great words too...played it for the dick smith boys one late night after "practice" as we're always playin' new stuff for each other- they dug it too. i like the bluesier stuff best, the guitar work...real nice tone on the axe too-

thanks for sending it-

take care-
dave ramont

Hi Kevin, it is always a humbling experience to find that folks who have supported my music for years are themselves excellent and passionate musicians … Thanks for sending me your album. I am particularly impressed with the lovely guitar tone (you know me, I'm more of a sounds person and less of a words person) and that you had the courage to just go in the studio with your voice, your guitar and your poetry.  No need to max out on the studio musicians, the fancy overdubs, just plain old you the way you'd sound live. 

Great job,  and I hope it gets lots of airplay  :-)

P.S. I'm still loving that crystal clear guitar sound. When you start the album I always think you're in an open tuning, but you're not.  Jaybird might be my current fav of the project.  We'll see if that changes.

Congrats again.

steve baughman

Oh my - your songs are just wonderful, Kevin! I've been listening to the clips on CDBaby... now, I'm on 'Reckless'... :) I'm completely taken in! Your voice and words are so true and right on. And, your guitar work and melodies are windy and rhythmic and beautiful. You remind me of Kelly Joe Phelps a bit... thanks so much for letting me know about your musical work! You've put a smile on my face as my long day is winding down. I'm going to find you on I-Tunes tomorrow and do some downloading... ;)

P.S. Your record is SO wonderful, Kevin!!  I was putting a package together for you and remarked in my note to you there, but thought I needed to tell you sooner how much I've been digging it!

P.P.S. Oh, I'm glad you wrote today!  I woke up around 5am this morning, why?  I have no idea!  But, your song - 'where have all my victims gone' was in my head!   !   Lol... ;)    I was half-asleep, and I'm thinking -- what is that song?! 

OOOOOOHHH!  COOLLLLL!!!!!  :)

Anyway, thought you'd want to know.

Kym Tuvim



Well, it took me forever, but I finally made it over to your website and CDBaby to give a listen (the album is actually streaming as I write this). Very lovely. I read the comparison to both Paul Simon and Tom Waits, and once I started listening I definitely got it. So far The Promised Land is my favorite.

Perhaps we should try to do a show together next time I come through the Champaign area for a solo stint...

Best,
Patrick Bloom

Great stories and pickin'.  I particularly liked Patterns of Blue and The Promised Land. Sounds like we share an adventurous streak - IL to TX on a bicycle!  That must have been both arduous and enthralling and I imagine you have some good stories to go with the experience.

Kim Miller

Beautiful! Listening now on Itunes. Will buy the record. I didn’t know you were a great songwriter too!

Warmly,
Rebecca Martin

just listened to some of your tracks. i have to say that it was really refreshing to hear your turn of a phrase. you have a nice way with words -very articulate and i found myself wanting to know what you were going to say next in your stories. i also love the acoustic guitar tone you have-what do you play and how did you record it? it was very warm and rich.

hope all is well in the mid west!
darien brahms

Hi Kevin,

I enjoyed listening to your tunes. Lovely guitar work. I especially liked 'That Crazy Raccoon.' Fantastic song.

Good luck and if you're ever playing in Massachusetts, drop me a note .

All the best,

Jenny Goodspeed