Ian Kimmel

In the music world where, across genres, “many are called but few are chosen’” it’s far from a stretch to opine “beware; there’s little room at the top.” Now, enter young Ian Kimmel who (I’ll put it all on the line, now) is gifted with the all the tools it’s going to take to earn his place rightfully among the chosen few in the small room.

This writer has known Ian since, just under two decades ago, he came into this world. He arrived surrounded by music. Considering that music a language, Ian grew up in a home truly bi-lingual. Granted, musically, Ian might have lucked-out with head start; but then; he grabbed it, ran with it, and he’s never stopped running.

At the tender age of seven; then, very young Ian made his first on-stage performances (Reminds me: Ricky Skaggs’ debut; Flatt & Scruggs’ Martha White TV, circa 1961). At age 11, Ian already was fronting his own first band. Starting 2011, Ian’s amalgam of traditional and modern music bluegrass band, Barton’s Hollow, began winning strings of band contests. Ian has since gone on to perform border-to-border, coast-to-coast, and internationally. In 2014, Ian Kimmel, nominated alongside a veritable Who’s Who of world’s great mandolinists, surprised nearly everyone, including himself, by walking away with the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America’s (SPBGMA) coveted Mandolin Player of the Year award. Begging the question; “Where do you go from here?”

Today, at an age when a lot of the older generation considers the likes of Ian and his contemporaries “upstarts;” Ian, musically, has long since shifted from high gear into overdrive. For starters, he’s long since arrived stellar-accomplished on guitar (acoustic and electric), mandolin, and dobro). Out of the gate, unshackled by obligation to choose, Ian, seemingly effortlessly, jumps genres; ranging from folk, to rock, to blues. Uncannily, Ian, genre jumping, can leave a listener on any given night believing tonight’s genre must be Ian’s first choice favorite.

A lot of great musicians aren’t able sing a “lick.” Likewise, a lot of great singers can’t play a ‘lick.’ Ian, breaking from the pack, delivers both. Self-accompanied on whichever instrument, Ian’s leads (he sings all the parts, too) come naturally. They’re powerful, and, refreshingly, not the least bit self-conscious. Watching, listening to him; He can sing every note he feels, and feel every note he sings.

Often said; “It’s a lot easier to find a good singer than it is to find a good song.” It’s true. Here, Ian’s already breaking with tradition, making inroads with originals; both vocal and instrumental. While not in the least shunning covers of great music already out there, Ian decidedly revels in creating originals. To wit; his forthcoming solo album, “Nothing to Say, Nothing to Tell,” slated for 2015 release, introduces all Ian Kimmel originals. Sooner rather than later, it’s safe to predict Ian Kimmel originals, if not already, will be being covered.

Currently, Ian is enrolled in East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass and Country music program. ETSU, essentially, is the four-year degree epicenter where aspiring, capable, goal-driven young musicians go. A mouse-click check of ETSU faculty and graduates’ graduates’ roads to fame says a lot.

Before signing off, meet Ian Kimmel, the person. It’s no revelation that, in music circles, remarkably huge music talents often come burdened with remarkably huge, “who’s the fairest of them all,” egos. Ian, refreshingly, here, scores a mere fifty percent; he’s all of the talent, none of the ego. Ian’s the totally approachable, winning combination, talent minus ego guy. Fair to say; because, I know. I’ve witnessed it. Where Ian and people like Ian go, there are no strangers.

Finally (only for the time being), keep all eyes on your radar screens. Ian Kimmel’s signature is already there. In that world where there’s little room at the top, where few are chosen; Ian Kimmel’s eyes are on the front door, and he’s on the move.

-Len Kalakian, 2015