Always singing to 45's when growing up - Beatles, Stones and Motown - Kids' first real performing came after his wanderlust took him to Southern California after playing with some small acts in the 70's. Getting the lead singing gig after the try-out, his Kentucky roots stood him in good stead for the rock-a-billy revival of the early 80's. After fronting a series of garage bands, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and began guesting with some of the great blues acts there at the time. Started fronting for The Roosters and became a much sought after lead singer for rock-and-roll and R & B acts, opening for bands like The Johnny Winter Group. Picking up an acoustic guitar, he began an original music odyssey, creating an all-original open-mic at a local club which led to a very well-recieved opening set for Rickie Lee Jones.
In the early '80's at a THE CLASH tour bus, one time Joe Strummer, (while carving his name on the back of Kids' telecaster) put Kid on a mission to find Joe Ely. The two hit it off right away; he taught Kid you don't always have to shout to be powerfully heard.
A life-long runner, in 1990, Kid met Native American Activist Dennis Banks, and was invited to be one of the runners for a Sacred Run across Canada. This continued for the next twenty years, Kid being named Run Captain on the 30 year anniversity of the Longest Walk in 2006. Through Sacred Run events Kid has shared the stage with Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, Robert Mirabal, Black Fire, and Martha Redbone, and did a set of his own songs with an all-star backing band including David Amram, Charlie Hill and Red Thunder. In 1996 Kid was one of six runners who ran across the country, 30 miles a day, in 104 days. His original material contains songs that are a testament to his experiences on the Run, as well as every aspect of his gypsy life on the road, and earthy tunes about passion and life.
In 1998, Kid recorded a full length CD with his band Mongrel Soup "Her Perfect Soul" (named for his cat Podkayne). The album got great reviews but no major distribution. Since then Kid has found ways to criss-cross the country playing solo originals or guesting with Blues or R&B bands. Kids' music has been called righteous Rock-and-Roll, Roots-Rock, and Country Blues.
Tori Valencia, Sacred Run, Free Radio Santa Cruz, Dennis Banks, Janea
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