Ken Hembree profile picture

Ken Hembree

Solo Artist/ Session Artist /Guitar Teacher

About Me

I've been playing electric guitar and bass as a hired gun, as well as teach guitar for many years. Some time ago, a few years back, I started going out on my back deck and playing my acoustic and working on my vocals. I begin to notice neighbors opening their windows and some would bring their beverages out on their patios and listen. It became a regular Friday night ritual. The cool thing was that they never spoke to me...I just heard their windows go up or I'd hear them come out and hear them talking. It was so satisfying to know that people were liking my stuff and taking the time to stop, listen and relax. That inspired me to start doing a solo acoustic act. I'm still getting my feet wet as a solo artist, but the response has been wonderful. I FEEL DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND FANS WHO SHOW UP AND TURN MY SHOWS INTO A REAL PARTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Please know that I'm currently available for hire as a studio or live session artist...and I can also play solo acoustic for private events. I've got some original songs forthcoming so stay tuned...ALSO, I've received some nice comments on my guitars...so I'll be posting some photos of my gear soon! Every time I play an acoustic gig, someone inevitably asks, "what the heck is that guitar you're playin'?"...it's a Breedlove AC25/SR Plus...and it's the sweetest acoustic guitar I've ever owned!

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/18/2008
Band Members: Just lil 'ol me...
Influences: Steve Vai, Bryan Beller, Joe Satriani, Ritchie Kotzen, Michael Hedges, John McLauglin, John Scofield, Larry Carlton, Norman Brown, Dave Mathews, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Mother's Finest, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stuck Mojo, Rage Against The Machine...and other funk-rock fusion bands (I LOVE funk rock!), Neil Schon, George Lynch, Randy Rhoads, Paul Gilbert, Eric Johnson, Rick Emmett, Stevie Ray Vaughn, KISS (learned to play guitar off 'o KISS Alive I and II), David Gilmour, Ray Charles, and now Jay Terrien (what a freak...in a good way of course!), oh, and I really like Lincoln Brewster's guitar work.
Sounds Like: I'm a very percussive player. Tight rhythms and gobs of soul. I emote very well and have great dynamics and an authoritative attack. I don't do much shredding anymore, but electrically I'm well-rooted in blues-funk-rock and I'm a "talker"...I love the wah wah pedal. Funk bands love me! Speed devoid of content annoys me. I like well-placed notes. I'm very lyrical with my guitar solos...kinda like John Mayer, Ritchie Kotzen or Eric Johnson. I like stuff that captivates you and makes you feel positive, exhilirated or something that's bittersweet and tender...I'm all about tone, soul, and dynamics the older I get. Instrumentally, on the electric guitar I guess I sound kinda like John Mayer on the soft side or Ritchie Kotzen when I'm burnin'! Acoustically, I'm percussive like Dave Mathews. Vocally, I've been told I sound like Leon Russell and Ritchie Kotzen.
Record Label: Unsigned
Type of Label: None