ALL IN 4AHERO
Singer-Songwriter Kevin Adair a Hit at 2021 Orange Beach Warrior Hook-Up
This year ’ s Orange Beach AHERO Warrior Hook-Up event in May included singersongwriter Kevin Adair . Reviews of his music note that he is known for his bluesy , soulful , R & B-influenced country style and great storytelling in song , and this was certainly true at the event .
Kevin lists his top country music influences as having been Garth Brooks , George Strait , Waylon Jennings , and Merle Haggard , but he has great appreciation for many other artists , as well . “ Growing up in the South ,” he says , “ I was introduced to all kinds of music . I once found myself lying in bed , hearing the band Alabama on somebody ’ s radio nearby and some old R & B music , which I loved , playing at the same time on my own radio at WBIL . I guess it all influenced my songwriting and guitar playing a lot ."
Kevin has played music all his life , starting out very young on piano . Self-taught , he says he started by simply mimicking what his friends were playing or other music he ’ d hear .
“ I had a pretty good memory , so I would go home to my little Casio keyboard and play stuff like ‘ Phantom of the Opera ’ on it . No kidding !” He laughs . “ I still can play that , too .”
At the age of about 12 , he was introduced to the guitar . “ I still didn ' t know what a note or a chord was . I just knew if I moved my finger on a string , that string made a different sound . From that point until now , I play the same – just a tad bit better !"
Kevin treated AHERO ’ s Orange Beach audience to his rhythmic if plaintive song , “ Dixie Dime ,” about an unforgettable girl he describes as “ a little heartbreaker … a cool drink of water .” He also showcased his songs “ Roses in My Mind ” and “ When Two Hearts Collide ,” and introduced his newest single , “ Like I Love Her ,” to delighted applause .
He ’ s a resident of Tuskegee , Ala ., but Kevin performs his songs all over the Southeast . Bringing his blend of soulful roots , screaming bluesy guitar and the storytelling of classic country , he mesmerizes the audience with his visual imagery and honesty .
Kevin has taken the stage with true greats such as the Southern rock band Drivin ' -n-Cryin ’, Lee Ann Womack , and the Commodores , to name a few , and continues to create and perform songs from what he describes as “ the heart and the hip .” At the AHERO Warrior Hook-Up this year , he also performed tunes with fellow professional singer-songwriter and much-loved AHERO supporter , Rusty Tabor .
“ I love playin ’ from the hip , ya know ?” Kevin says . “ Unrehearsed stuff . That ’ s where the magic happens . You hit that one note – that one lick you can listen to over and over .” He shakes his head , thinking about it .
“ Yep ,” he murmurs half to himself , as if remembering a recent session . “ That was cool .”
Kevin at the guitar . 80 AHERO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021