About Kenny Shipman:

 

Born in San Jose Ca just south of San Francisco. Kenny began playing guitar at the young age of 10. Growing up in a musically talented family with Father & Bay Area known R&B singer Russell R Shipman & LA Session guitarist & composer cousin Lyle Workman. Kenny had huge shoes to fill if he wanted to carry on the musical family torch. Kenny began playing to his dads Hendrix records and to only realize summer 1981 after hearing Van Halen Eruption, Kenny wanted nothing less than to be a Rock Guitar player. 

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In Kenny's early teenage years he was introduced to a variety of guitar styles through older guitar playing cousins. Players such as Larry Carlton, Al DiMeola, & Neal Schon just to name a few. It was when Kenny went to his first local concert to see Bay Area Legend Dave Meniketti  and  Y&T that sealed the deal of Kenny wanting to be  certified Rock Guitar player. At that moment Kenny knew there was a spot for a bluesy talented vocalist in a hard rock guitar setting. 

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At age 14 Kenny received a guitar player magazine vinyl cut out of a track called Far Beyond The Sun by Yngwie Malmsteen. Kenny recalls playing the 45 on his dads record player and for the first 2 listens, Kenny thought the 45 was on the wrong speed? After realizing the tempo and blistering display of Neo Classical wizardry was in fact the correct bpm. This was the turning point in Kenny's guitar playing journey. He would spend the next 3 years buying every Shrapnel Record label instrumental guitar record and began trying to emulate players such as Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, & Memphis guitar Wizard Shawn Lane. In his mind, if you learn from the best and try your best to implement their fretboard acrobatics into your own thing. You couldn't go wrong. 

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Although accomplishing the fretboard talents of some of the 80s and 90s best players. It was when hearing Mr Big debut release that told Kenny its time to sing and play something with Soul, groove & song focused with a taste of shred to round things off. Also hearing Gary Moore's Blues Alive album gave Kenny the confidence that you can burn up the fretboard and combine it with soulful bluesy influenced vocal lines and still feel musically satisfied.

 

Kennys band K.S.X is just that! A combination of fretboard wizardry mixed with soulful blues rock vocal melodies that have you hooked from the first bar. Just listen to the bands work with their single releases and or live performances and you'll get the vibe. There's something for everyone from hot licks to infectious melodies to down right raw emotion that set Kenny and his talents apart from the rest.

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In closing Kennys personal words. I'm an artist and musician walking through this musical life journey trying to leave my mark as a guitar player singer songwriter. I hope I can inspire someone as I have been and hope that someday, I will be able to showcase my talents for the world to see.

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This site is dedicated to my Mom & Dad who I love so much. Though you have left this earth, you will never leave my heart. To my wife and children, I love you more than words can express. I couldn't do me without you.

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 "Never Forget To Boogie"....   Till we meet again Dad...Kenny Shipman