Video links, bios and jpgs which may be downloaded for press and venue use
Kevin's new album, "Party of One" set for release March 8
(info below)
Kevin Stonerock - Short Bio
Kevin Stonerock is a product of the Midwest, born and raised in a small town 40 miles east of Indianapolis. He was Americana before the word became a staple in the music lexicon—an amalgamation of traditional country and roots rock, with the sensibilities and lyricism of a folk artist. Whether in concert, on stage doing any one of several original monologues, writing a play or crafting a song, first and foremost, Stonerock is a master storyteller.
Day Before Tomorrow (1978), Stonerock’s debut recording, was released to positive reviews under the popular cult label 700 West. In the 1980s, he turned his attention to writing and acting, developing several one-man, history-based shows of which he has performed over 4,000 times—and counting. In the 1990s, he wrote and directed The Point In Time, a series of outdoor dramas which ran for seven seasons in Carrollton, Kentucky, and released an album of original songs with the Americana band Bottom Dollar. Stonerock has an additional four solo album releases to his credit—Home Stretch (1994), Stranger In This Town (2001), Land of a Thousand Smiles (2007) and Whisper of Blue (2017).
In addition to hundreds of coffeehouses, libraries, clubs, theaters, colleges, community centers, restaurants, car lot promotions, corporate events and roadside dives, Kevin has been featured and shared the stage with notable artists at renowned venues such as the Improvisation in Hollywood, songwriter rounds at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, The Master Musicians Festival, Old National Centre, Rupp Arena, and center court at Market Square Arena as opening act for the Indiana Pacers. His sixth album of self-penned songs, Twilight Town, was released in May, 2020.
Kevin Stonerock Long Bio
Kevin Stonerock is a product of the Midwest, born and raised in a small town 40 miles east of Indianapolis. He was Americana before the word became a staple in the music lexicon—an amalgamation of traditional country and roots rock, with the sensibilities and lyricism of a folk artist. Whether in concert, on stage doing any one of several original monologues, writing a play or crafting a song, first and foremost, Stonerock is a master storyteller; an introverted extrovert who is more comfortable in front of a crowd than in one.
As an artist, he’s always been hard to pigeon-hole. Never a person to settle on one specific musical destination, his songs contain elements of folk, retro country, rock and bluegrass; a trait which caused some confusion for the suits when he was label shopping in the late 70’s. A common refrain was that he was too rock for country, too country for rock and roll and too folksy for either. In the 1980’s, through a happy accident, Stonerock swerved into a career as an actor, script writer, and producer while still keeping up his chops as a performing musician and songwriter. With over 5,000 performances to his credit, he hasn’t had a 9-5 job in over 30 years.
Although he was born and raised in the Midwest, his roots go deep into the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee. A blood relative of “Davy” Crockett (they share common grandparents), he apparently inherited his famous cousin’s penchant for storytelling and love of solitude; conflicting notions which on one hand require being alone and the other an audience. As a songwriter, he brings ordinary characters to life with empathy and dignity. Songs like “Indian Man”, “Railroad Man” and “Black Diamonds”, the latter a story of a talented but alcoholic WW2 veteran with survivor’s guilt. Stonerock’s small town upbringing has also left it’s mark on his writing. “Thornburg Street”, “Small Town Rock and Roll”, “Those Days” and (from his latest release) “The Town Where I Was Born” pay homage to a way of life that he reveres and treasures.
Stonerock has released 6 solo albums and another as part of the Americana band “Bottom Dollar”.
In addition to hundreds of coffeehouses, libraries, colleges, clubs, theaters, community centers, restaurants, concert halls, car lot promotions, corporate events and roadside dives, Kevin has been featured and shared the stage with notable artists at renowned venues such as The Improvisation in Hollywood, songwriter rounds at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, The Master Musicians Festival, Old National Centre, Rupp Arena, and center court at Market Square Arena as opening act for the Indiana Pacers.
Kevin's New Album, Party of One to be released March 8, 2025. Kevin's take: "Of all the albums I have made, this one was perhaps the most difficult, and took the longest to complete. Part of it was scheduling and trying to work within the availability of others, but a big part of it was (gulp) fear, or at least a concern that it wouldn't measure up to my last album, Twilight Town. I am extremely proud of that one and it got some really great reviews. Could I top it? Finally, I decided that not only could I not recreate Twilight Town, I didn't have to and I didn't WANT to. Party of One makes it's own statement and I'm proud to add it to my body of work."
Most of the 13 songs on Party of One were written in 2020-21 during lockdown with the exception of a couple of tunes. Down Home Ain't Down Home Anymore was co-written with hit songwriter and Waylon Jennings guitarist, the late Billy Ray Reynolds. "We were driving around rural Nashville and stopped at a convenience store for a snack. When we got out of the car, Billy Ray said 'Better lock your door. This ain't down home anymore.' That's how this one got its start" All Those Years Ago was discovered quite by accident. "After my mom passed in 2020, I was at her house going through a box of old cassette tapes when I ran across this one. I can't even remember when I wrote it. Must have been sometime in the 80's. It had my name on it, so at least I knew it was mine."
Once again, Kevin is joined by some incredible musicians. The album features veteran pedal steel player Ed "Pee Wee Charles" Ringwald (Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson and others), award winning fiddler Shane Guse (Richard Marx, Lisa Brokop, Michelle Wright and others), vocalist Stacey Lee Guse (former member of Juno-nominated country sensation, LACE), Gabriel Stonerock (guitar) and Derrick Carnes (drums, harmony vocals). Abby Carr provides harmony vocals on three tracks. "I heard Abby's voice on a recording of a song played at a wedding and was blown away. When I asked who was doing the singing, I was surprised to learn that I already knew her!"
Credits:
Kevin Stonerock - lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitars, electric lead and rhythm guitars, bass, harmonica, banjo Derrick Carnes - drumms, harmony vocals Abby Carr - harmony on Summer Time, Down Home Ain't Down Home Anymore, Party of One Shane Guse - fiddle, mandolin Stacey Lee Guse - harmony on This Old House, Bad Memory Lane, It Won't Be Long Ed "Pee Wee Charles" Ringwald - pedal steel guitar, dobro Gabriel Stonerock - electric guitars, solo guitar on Summer Time, organ Recording and mixing engineer: Jeff Monroe, Group Effort Sound Studios, Erlanger, KY Additional engineering: Kevin Stonerock, Bass in the Hole Studio Mastering: Dan Murphy Photos and cover art: Andy Carr Produced by Kevin Stonerock ©2025 Twomoon Records
Party of One lyrics and track credits
About Kevin's 2020 Album Twilight Town
Stonerock's sixth solo album, Twilight Town, contains eleven Stonerock-penned tracks and in additon to Gabriel Stonerock (electric guitar) and Derrick Carnes (drums, harmony vocals) features veteran pedal steel virtuoso Pee Wee Charles (Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson and others) and five time Canadian Country Music Association award winning fiddler Shane Guse (Richard Marx, Lisa Brokop, Michelle Wright) and well known Cincinnati piano man Ricky Nye.
Twilight Town Lyrics and Notes
Official Music Videos
Live Performance Videos
Quotes
"The Midwest-raised Kevin Stonerock has bonafide Americana in his veins. Roots rock sprinkled with generous amounts of traditional country straw, the lost country & western that always had great stories…this isn’t corny stuff this has storyteller’s muscle." John Apice, Americana Highways
"Stonerock doesn’t seem the type to do hyperbole, so I am going to have to. This is one of those albums that you want to shout about from the rooftops. “Twilight Town” deserves its place in the sun." Andy Thorley, Maximum Volume Music
"It’s a regular occurrence listening to albums like this, wondering why someone who can write songs as lyrically as sharp and astute as That’s The Truth, Gypsy Road and Long Slow Fade still remain relatively anonymous? It’s not as if he has a poor voice; Hell …. it’s the opposite; expressive, warm and even world-weary at times…Pure Americana Gold Dust." The Rocking Magpie (UK)
“Kevin’s fluid acoustic and electric guitar playing is strong and inspired.” Guitar Player Magazine
"Stonerock has hit a homerun with this album (Whisper of Blue)." Middletown News
“I’m looking forward to Stonerock’s next effort!” Indianapolis Entertainer
“He is a performer at heart.” Courier Times
“Very, very solid...He’s definitely a talent worth watching” Freight Train Boogie
“Stonerock has combined his considerable skill as a writer,
actor and musician into a career. Lucky for Indiana.” Arts Indiana
Social Links
Facebook - Kevin Stonerock Music
Photo Downloads for Press and Venue Use Only
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Photo Credits: Andy Carr
PDF Poster template available upon request