Southern suburban country, a slice of life that makes your mouth water for more.

12 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Progressive Country, ROCK: Americana

Show all album songs: Eyes Wide Open Songs


Details:
Why do you call your music Southern Suburban Country?

I spent 3 days in Waco, Texas once, and 2 days in Nashville. Thatâs not very long. I donât ride horses, actually prefer waves, and donât have a current cowboy hat. But I have lived a good portion of my life in a 1960âs built suburb with an elementary school and a Presbyterian church down the street.

When I couldnât get enough of the Beatles, my dad was feeling the same way about Merle Haggard, Earl Scruggs, Chet Atkins, and Willie. Now, I appreciate even more the craftsmanship of a Beatles song, but itâs the lyrical integrity of Guy Clark and the guitar statements of Warren Haynes that move me the most.

Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, I was weaned on what came to be known as Southern Rock. Though that name hadnât been penned yet, I danced at the local teen club to Ronnie Vansantâs pre-SKYNRD blues. Dickie Betts played cover songs under the black lights down the street, while Duane and Greg Alman set up their amps on the radio station lawn just to have a place to play. All of that seeps in, and over time, some of it finds itâs way back out.

My earliest country songs were written in southern Maine. I believe if you have an eye on the road, another eye on God, and your tongue in your cheek, itâs likely to come out country. And that can happen on the coast of Maine or the coast of Florida. Itâs as much a state of mind as a state in the Union.

My dad, Ken Sr., was the most honest, likable, and unpretentious man Iâve ever known. Iâd like my music to be just like himâ¦honest, likable, and unpretentious. Thatâs my goal. Thatâs what I shoot for. I call it Southern Suburban Country.

With Eyes Wide Open,
Ken Holt