Kirk Fletcher facts for kids

Kirk Fletcher (born December 23, 1975) is an American electric blues musician. He is a talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Kirk has released six studio albums and one live album so far. He has also played with famous bands like the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Mannish Boys. Kirk has even played for well-known artists such as Joe Bonamassa and Eros Ramazzotti. He has been nominated for four Blues Music Awards. In 2015, he was also nominated for a British Blues Awards.

His album, Hold On, came out in October 2018. It became very popular on the Living Blues radio chart, reaching number 12. It also made it to number 15 on the US Billboard Blues Albums chart. This album was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2019. It was in the 'Contemporary Blues Album' group.

About Kirk Fletcher

Kirk Fletcher was born in Bellflower, California, United States. His father was a Baptist minister. Kirk watched his older brother, Walter, play music at their father's church. This inspired Kirk to learn guitar when he was only eight years old.

In high school, Kirk was part of a jazz band. Later, he played music with his friends on trips around Southern California. In Los Angeles, he met Jeff Rivera, who worked with guitarist Robben Ford. Kirk was very impressed by Robben Ford's guitar skills. He also spent time with Al Blake, who was the lead singer for the Hollywood Fats Band. Al Blake helped Kirk connect with other West Coast blues musicians. These included Junior Watson and Lynwood Slim.

Early Career and First Album

Kirk became very good at playing the guitar. He started performing his own shows. His first album, I'm Here & I'm Gone, came out in 1999. It was released by JSP Records. Al Blake introduced Kirk to Kim Wilson from the Fabulous Thunderbirds. This led to Kirk playing guitar in Kim Wilson's Blues Revue. He then went on tour with them. Kirk also played on Kim Wilson's live album, Smokin' Joint (2001). This album was even nominated for a Grammy Award.

Soon after, Kirk was asked to play with Charlie Musselwhite. Kirk said that playing with Charlie helped him find his own unique sound. Charlie encouraged him to be himself.

Joining The Fabulous Thunderbirds

In 2003, Kirk's second album, Shades of Blue, was released. It featured guest singers like Kim Wilson, Janiva Magness, and Finis Tasby. In 2005, Kirk got the chance to join the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He played with them until 2008. During this time, he also played briefly with Doyle Bramhall. He made guest appearances with Cyndi Lauper and Michelle Branch. Kirk played on the Fabulous Thunderbirds' 2005 album, Painted On. In 2006, Kirk performed with Nick Curran at the Notodden Blues Festival.

In 2009, a special edition of I'm Here & I'm Gone was released. It celebrated the album's tenth anniversary and included extra songs. That same year, Kirk and his band played at the Dark Season Blues festival in Norway.

New Music and Touring

My Turn (2010) was Kirk's third album. It included songs written by other artists like Jimmy Reed and Sly Stone. Kirk also wrote three of his own songs for the album. He worked with producer Michael Landau and horn players Paulie Cerra and Paul Litterall. This album was special because it was the first time Kirk sang on a recording. From then on, Kirk began leading his own band on tours. He also toured internationally with The Mannish Boys and as the lead guitarist for Italian musician Eros Ramazzotti. In 2014, Kirk released a live album called Burning Blues (Live at the Baked Potato).

In 2015, Kirk played rhythm guitar for Joe Bonamassa's "Three Kings Tour." This tour ended with a performance at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. The concert was filmed and recorded for the album Live at the Greek Theater (2016). In 2018, Kirk recorded a video with Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa. They played the Albert King song "Crosscut Saw".

Kirk's album, Hold On, came out in October 2018. It reached number 12 on the Living Blues radio chart. It also entered the Billboard Blues Albums chart at number 15. In 2019, it was nominated for a Blues Music Award.

Kirk Fletcher's Albums

Here is a list of Kirk Fletcher's studio and live albums:

Other Recordings Featuring Kirk

Kirk Fletcher has also played guitar on many other artists' recordings. Here are some of them:

• 1999: The Henry Gray/Bob Corritore Sessions, Vol. 1: Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest : Bob Corritore / Henry Gray : Guitar
• 2000: World Wide Wood : Lynwood Slim : Guitar
• 2001: Smokin' Joint : Kim Wilson : Guitar
• 2003: Lonesome Moon Trance : James Harman : Guitar
• 2004: That Represent Man : The Mannish Boys : Guitar
• 2005: Painted On : The Fabulous Thunderbirds : Guitars
• 2006: Last Call : Lynwood Slim : Guitar, Vocals (Background)
• 2007: Big Plans : The Mannish Boys : Guitar
• 2009: Simple Things : Chantelle Barry : Guitar (Electric)
• 2010: Live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise : Joe Louis Walker : Guitar, Featured Artist
• 2010: Shake for Me : The Mannish Boys : Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
• 2012: Longtime Friends in the Blues : Bob Corritore / Tail Dragger Jones : Guitar
• 2012: Double Dynamite : The Mannish Boys : Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
• 2012: Close to the Bone: Unplugged : Bnois King / Smokin' Joe Kubek : Guitar (Acoustic)
• 2013: Shiver and Sigh : Kara Grainger : Guitar (Rhythm)
• 2014: Wrapped Up and Ready : The Mannish Boys : Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Soloist
• 2015: Bonetime : James Harman : Guitar
• 2015: Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks : Joe Bonamassa : Guitar
• 2016: Live at the Greek Theater : Joe Bonamassa : Guitar (Rhythm)
• 2016: Hard Times, Bad Decisions : Lisa Mann : Featured Artist, Guitar
• 2016: Near Life Experience : Scott Kinsey : Guitar