About Me
I am a singer. Always have been, always will be. I always had an ear for music and loved harmony. I could whistle a tuneful piece when I was four much to the shock of my Mama and Daddy...but does that make me a prodigy? I reckon not....
I am self-taught. I learned to play the piano as a child but I am a little out of practice now. I accompany myself with a guitar (6 and 12 string) or a mandolin when I perform. Every now and then I back up some folky groups with an "acoustic drum kit" consisting of a snare, hi-hat, a crash and a splash. I am learning to play the harmonica, a bowed psaltry and the concertina, much to the chagrin of all those who live with me.
For over fifteen years I contributed harmony, lead vocals, rhythm guitar, mandolin and hellfire tambourine to the WAMI nominated acoustic rock duo Fred and Ethel. We "toured" endlessly, performing at coffeehouses, cafes, churches, pubs, bars, taverns, sidewalk sales, marketplaces, restaurants, biker parties, yuppie parties, hippie parties, fun parties, not so fun parties, weddings, campfires, political rallies, peace rallies, benefit concerts, house concerts, record stores, book stores, on the radio and television, under trees, tents and umbrellas, on tables, boats and even stages - including Shank Hall in Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Zoo Ala Carte, Summerfest and Wisconsin State Fair. We still rock the stage on special occasions, but we have both moved on to other projects.
Every Sunday I perform with the house band at the Spiritual Living Center of Greater Milwaukee...it is very cool...wonderful harmonies.
I served as the music director for Jane Claypool's Wise Women Conference in California for two years.
I also perform in a smokin hot acoustic rock duo called ZiGZaG with my friend Reverend Randy (Dirty Ernie). Also got together with some bandmates from the Silvertones and started an eclectic rock band called Wendy and the Lost Boys - we are building our songlist and will be jammin out soon.
I would rather perform live than do studio work...as you can tell from my discography, or rather lack of, but I am working on that…in fact I just recorded a cd of my favorite cover songs, and I am planning on recording an album of original songs in the very near future.
My original music is of a ballad nature but I cover rock tunes, doo wap, standards, showtunes, hillbilly, gospel, madrigal music, punk, pop, country... from the obscure to the mainstream...a musical chameleon, I reckon.
I am a free spirit. I believe in the power of the mind and positive thought, but sometimes that is easier said than done. I listen to classical music and opera. Pavarotti is my musical idol. My favorite books are Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain), the Hawkline Monster (Richard Brautigan) and a Cantacle for Leibowitz. I live for being onstage but I also like growing flowers, laying in the sun, looking at the moon, moving mountains, listening to rain, being poolside, hugging trees and going down to the Big Lake. I am an American of Scottish and Cherokee descent. I like old movies better than new ones. I make friends with animals easier than I do with people. I still have a rotary phone. I think greasy burger joints rock, especially if they serve Coca Cola with chipped ice. I don't mind if you smoke a ciggie. I collect elephants (trunks up), purses, maraccas and things that are pink. I like football, baseball and basketball. I dig old Chevys from the 50's.
I abhor violence against any innocent creature, human or animal. I detest rudeness, greedy people, arrogant musicians, fast food, media heroes, televisions in public places, sound checks and the song Bobby McGee.
Onward thru the fog....
Jude
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Oklahoma native Jude Kinnear sings with a degree of honesty that comes from life experience. Her powerful and expressive performance of a unique collection of cover and original songs reveals a soul baring sincerity and a quirky sense of humor.
Jude performs with a Martin HD35 and a Fishman Loudbox 100 acoustic amp from Peter Roberts Guitars.
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