By the age of 14 Guthrie was playing with friend and fellow musician Joe Russell in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. He left home to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, where Joe was signed with Bill Lowery Agency whose roster included artists such as Billy Joe Royal, Classics IV and Joe South. In Atlanta, Guthrie met people who were successful doing what they loved to do; his path was chosen.
Back in Richmond, Guthrie formed the band Studio B and had his first opportunity to get serious and grow musically. Southside Johnny (of the Asbury Jukes) later moved down from New Jersey and became the bands lead singer.
Guthrie originally came west in 1968, moving there to stay in 1971. During this time he started playing with Smokin’ Joe Kubek. along many other Texas artists.
The next years were filled with great music and great musicians. He recorded with Smokin’ Joe and Doyle Bramhall, Sr, on Bird Records. Opening for artists including Robin Trower, John Mayall, Taj Mahal, Leon Russell and Donovan He toured Europe with Grammy winner Marc Benno, and co-wrote “Laverne” on Benno’s album “Snake Charmer.” While in Europe Guthrie played some great venues like the Womad Festival, The Colne Festival, Nuits de Blues, the International Music Festival in Turkey and most recently the Cork Jazz & Blues Festival in Cork Ireland.
After a career of collaboration with some great musicians, Guthrie finally broke out on his own as a singer / songwriter to tell his own story on his first CD “Ranch Road 12” produced by legendary Texas troubadour Ray Wylie Hubbard. Now with his newest projects “Unmade Beds” released October 2009 and “Matchbox” to be released in early 2010 Guthrie continues to brand his own unique style of music.
Guthrie Kennard: Matchbox (2010)
Maverick Music Group / Rango Records, LLC
Unmade Beds (2009)
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/GuthrieKennard
Guthrie Kennard’s “Matchbox” Rockets to the top of the Euro-Americana Charts:
http://www.free-press-release.com/news-guthrie-kennard-s-matchbox-rockets-to-the-top-of-the-euro-americana-charts-1276796347.html
On Gillian Welch, Guthrie Kennard and Americana-inspired road trips: http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/on-gillian-welch-guthrie
June 10 -Rootsville: http://www.last.fm/music/Guthrie+Kennard/+wiki
“With a voice that recalls Bob Dylan and Keith Richards, Kennard spins his tales of rural disaffection against a backdrop of rough-hewed melodies and backwoods percussion, classic Texas music, a soundtrack to the Hill Country, and the slow country songs sound like a drive on patchy, paved roads that lead to all sorts of interesting places.”
Darryl Smyers, Dallas Observer
“I have been listening to this album for a while – with a smile on my face. This is a guy with 40 years experience and it shows – highly recommended.”
http://squeezemylemon.blogspot.com/2010/06/guthrie-kennard-matchbox.html
“Matchbox is a hardcore alt.country album with a blues feel that gets stuck in your head after the first spin ” http://blogger.xs4all.nl/werksman/archive/2010/06/17/552202.aspx
“A 5***** Rating for sure for this very enjoyable release which I highly recommend to all fans of great music.” – John Vermilyea, The Blues Report
http://bluesunderground.blogspot.com/2010/06/cd-reviews-guthrie-kennard-matchbox.html
“…I knew if I started saying anything about the tracks, I’d be writing about all the tracks. So just check out the WHOLE album!” – Ed Karn, No Depression
http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/guthrie-kennard-matchbox?xg_source=activity
“I received the cd last monday. Great stuff. One of the best roots/blues/texana/songwriter cd’s so far this year. I’ll try to convince everyone I know to by a copy of “Matchbox”. Should work if they listen to the cd. Tell Guthrie he made a great record.”
– Ben Vanhoegarden
“One of the best Americana releases of the year.”
Follow Guthrie on:
www.ReverbNation.com
www.SonicBids.com
www.Facebook.com
www.GuthrieKennard.com
