Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Curtis.
Hi Kevin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started in music at the age of 12. We had purchased a banjo for my Dad for a Christmas gift.
I was intrigued by the instrument and I started tinkering with it. My Dad saw my interest and offered to purchase one for me. My thought was old country guys play the banjo. I want to play the guitar.
My first guitar was probably a $30 box. It wasn’t much at all lol. I come from a family of seven kids and $3 a lesson was a lot of money at the time.
The guy I took one really took advantage of me and I took from him for three years. My parents did buy me an electric jazz guitar, but my instructor never plugged it into an amp.
I had a friend that had a stereo that you could plug an instrument into. It was the first time I had ever heard my instrument electrified. I was hooked and knew this was what I wanted to do in life.
I went to two different colleges and I had an uncle that partially funded my education at Oral Roberts University.
They had no guitar program but fortunately my private instructor at the school was concert master for the Tulsa symphony.
Greg told me that if I really wanted to be a professional musician, I needed to go to a legitimate music school. He told me University of North Texas, University of Miami, or Berklee College of music in Boston. I chose Berklee.
It was a great experience but I unfortunately went back to help my family in an emergency situation, It was one of my worse mistakes because I never finished my education. Funny how things work out. More about that later.
I tried numerous times to get back. Life happened. Got married, had a beautiful son, got divorced etc etc,. In 2001 after losing my job, I made the choice to open my own business teaching music.
I’ve been doing it ever since. Have taught thousands of people to play, had bands, played all over the metroplex and do a solo smooth jazz show for corporate and city events.
I take the music that you are familiar with ( everything from Harry Styles to Stevie Wonder with a smooth jazz instrumental spin.)
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh my. Trying to make a living totally in music is almost near impossible. We have lost the art of listening to live music and the DJ has had the control for years.
I think it’s changing but we have a long way to go. That’s why it’s so important to me to keep live music alive by both playing and teaching.
I have the privilege of teaching 5th and 6 th graders guitar at Forney ISD. Most school districts don’t have a guitar program. It’s been a complete challenge and each day stretches my skills.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I take the music you love…. Everything from Nirvana to Bruno Mars and put a smooth jazz instrumental spin on it.
It’s a challenge as I have to rearrange the song to fit my instrumental jazz guitar style. It’s a lot of fun, upbeat and works in so many different situations especially in the corporate or city events.
I work well in city events, wedding cocktail hour, rehearsal dinners, private in home concerts etc.
Think George Benson, Kenny G or Boney James in your living room.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Life was tough growing up. My parents were really irresponsible so I grew up fast and became an adult around 12. When I finally got back to school I was thirty. I weighed 120 lbs, showed up with a pink and white striped shirt, white pants, white straw Fedora hat and bright red wrestling boots. I was ready to go play music.
Pricing:
- Lesson $40 half hour, $80 an hour
- My performances start at $600. I have so many different theme shows such as Country Kev a country instrumental show, 80’s Kev and Disco Kev. I do sing and do RnB, Pop and jazz Standards
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kevincurtismusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbykevincurtis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1apCv4iuCg/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevincurtismusic/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kevincurtismusic
