"Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine" - Elvis Presley
"I believe musicians have a duty, a responsibility to reach out, to share our love or pain with others" - James Taylor
"Don't Play What's there, play what's not there." - Miles Davis
“Ken Apperson. Local musician. Skinny white boy. Within five minutes of watching his set, you can tell he’s not just playing music, but that he is music,” says Creative Loafing in a past music blog. After witnessing his smooth, jazz-infused vocals and effortless guitar picking, it is evident that Ken Apperson is a true artist. Originally from St. Louis, Ken moved to Tampa to pursue his musical career full-time when he was just 21.
Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller
Ken is no newcomer to the Tampa scene. He performs at notable venues, including Jannus Live, The Ritz Ybor, Brighthouse Field, and Skipper’s Smokehouse. He frequents festivals, including the Palmetto Music Festival and the Multicultural Festival at Curtis Hixon Park. He has shared the stage with many national acts, including platinum recording artist Sister Hazel, and Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. He has also been featured in events such as “Rock for Research” and “Friends of Music”, held at the Capital Theatre in St. Petersburg. Recently, Ken gave his time and talent during the Susan G. Komen Walk, where he played and sang the entire 5k to show his support for the cause.
Photo credit | Radko Keleman
Most local artists play covers, but Ken’s ability to transform R&B and hip hop hits such as “No Diggity” , “Take Care” by Drake and Rihanna, and Outkast’s “Rosa Parks” into unique acoustic variations (with the help of Groovemaster Reno on the drums), shows why this singer-songwriter is making a name for himself in the Tampa music scene. On that note, he was recently featured in the TBT’s “2013 Ultimate Local Music Guide”, and with his impressive guitar skills and storytelling ability, you can see why.
Photo credit | Radko Keleman
Keep an eye out for the release of some new original tunes, and check out the visually stunning video for single “Bad Intentions” in the meantime. Ken is also in the midst of planning a tour in the fall.
"Listening is the key to everything good in music" -Pat Metheny
"Only the gentle are ever really strong" - James Dean
Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller
Q: When is your favorite time to write and what usually inspires you?
A: I would have to say my favorite time to write is very late at night/early morning. For some reason, in the time where I am close to falling asleep; that’s when I have my best ideas. As for inspiration, that’s a funny thing. Inspiration can literally come from anywhere. The connections my brain makes are often pretty abstract. Some times I’ll get complete songs, totally finished, in a dream. Other times it takes me years and a great deal of frustration to finish a single song. Finishing them is the hardest part.
Photo credit | Timothy David
Q: What Artist would you love to play with?
A: If I was made to choose i think I would have to say Michael Hedges. He was considered the Hendrix of acoustic guitar and an epic composer as well as performer. I always want to play with people who can teach me a thing or two and i think my head would explode from all I would learn playing with a guy like that. Probably either Hedges or Dave Grohl, just because Grohl is an innovator and has the nick name “the nicest guy in the music business.”
Photo credit | Jaime Kile
Q: What do you think of the Tampa music scene?
A: I can tell you first hand the type of music scene that exists in tampa. For starters, I’ve been all over the country, worked in every type of venue, from amphitheaters to little hole in the wall bars, and I can tell you tampa has the best kept secret i’ve ever scene in terms of musical talent. Sooooooo many guys play here, night after night, 3-4 hours at a time and do it so effortlessly as though its the easiest thing in the world. In terms of the quality of people in the music industry, recently I had the majority of my equipment stollen right out of my truck. I thought I was sunk, but one guy (Daniel B Marshall) Made one little post on facebook and suddenly every single person I’ve ever known to play music (and many that didn’t) in this town was texting and calling, leaving facebook messages, asking if there was anything they could do to help. People were offering me equipment, money; guys were even asking me if I wanted to cover there gig just so I would be working and making money. I can say it is a proven fact, when you play in this town you are part of a tight knit brotherhood. It makes me get a little misty just talking about it.
Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller
Q: What’s next for you this year?
A: This year is going to be a big one for me. I’m writing alot. We’ll see where that goes. Also, I’m planning a tour in the fall, designing merch and basically just working on my fundamentals. I’m planning on doing a lot more events this year and getting my foot in the door at as many new places as I can. Ultimately, my goal is to live comfortably from the music i write and perform. I’m hoping this year is a big step in that direction.
Photo credit | Kaitrin Miller
Q: Do you remember the first time you realized you wanted to play music?
A: Hah, yeah I do. I was very young, maybe five or six. I was playing with some toys in the living room. One of my parents came in the room and put on the “new” Eagles “Hell freezes over” live CD. I loved the eagles growing up. Track six on that album came on, an acoustic-y live version of “Hotel California” there is this spectacular acoustic intro thats all dramatic and drawn out. The first time I heard that I new I wanted to learn to play guitar.
Ken Apperson | Social Media | Click Icons Below
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Kidd Leow teamed up with Adam Levine from Maroon 5, Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, the Far East Movement, The Cataracs,Luciana, & Ellie Goulding!
Check out these mini mixes!
| Adam Levine | Far East Movement | Ryan Tedder |
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| CLICK HERE! | CLICK HERE! | CLICK HERE! |
| The Cataracs | Ellie Goulding | Luciana |
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| CLICK HERE! | CLICK HERE! | CLICK HERE! |
to watch the video! 
