Biography
Short Bio:
Singer/songwriter, producer, teacher, and master of ceremonies Ken Gaines has been a staple in the music scene, not only in his former hometown of Houston, but also throughout Texas. He is the 2005 TMA Singer Songwriter of the Year and, for over 20 years produced and hosted the Thursday night, in the round series at Houston’s legendary Anderson Fair. He’s been featured numerous times at the Kerrville Festival as well as festivals and concert series across the country. In November of 2022 Ken moved to Oregon City, OR and now calls the Pacific NW his home territory.
As a teacher of song craft & performance Ken has developed a number of theme-specific seminars for adults as well as teens and children. He is currently teaching songwriting for the Aritchoke Music Group, The Portland Folkmusic Society, and Songwriter Soiree, all in the Portland, OR area. For the past 12 years (and counting) he has been a teacher for the Kerrville Summer Music Camp for Teens and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas. Ken has written and produced numerous performance lectures, 2 live-theater children’s shows, and several movie/video scores.
As an MC Ken is known as the “voice” of the Songwriter Serenade as well as the Texas Music Awards for 11 out of its 13 year run. Specializing in Music events he has MC'd numerous shows and performance competitions.
He’s been active with FAI and SWRFA for 17 years, booking and hosting sponsored showcase rooms first for the Houston Association of Acoustic Musicians, Anderson Fair, and SongCircle Houston. He’s was a member of the health team for both conferences, mentoring traveling musicians on eating healthy while touring.
In 2016 Ken became one of the primary developers and Vice President of Visionary Heights, Inc., a 501c3 organization in Houston with new performance, teaching, and visual art spaces. Renamed Song Circle Houston Ken hosted a monthly Gatherin’ song circle, co-produced an ongoing series of Master Classes, and is also a regular featured performer of his own original music.
With bachelor’s degrees in Theatre Arts and Visual Arts Ken is celebrating his 56th year as a professional performer.
Links:
https://www.kengaines.com/
https://folk.org/
https://swfolkalliance.org/
https://songwriterserenade.com/
https://songcirclehouston.org/about/
https://andersonfair.net/
https://www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org/music-camp-for-teens