Los Angeles, CA - Kirby Heyborne is a rare performer who brings an honest palpable vulnerability to his Folk Rock/Pop music. His warm voice and intricate guitar color his well-received albums 'Inside' and 'Braver Days.
' His intimate work on his Christmas album, 'Merry White Tree in the Night,' has garnered the highest praise from critics and fans alike.
The seeds for Kirby's ability to blend catchy hooks with heartfelt melodies and lyrics were planted when he began to teach himself guitar at the age of 15. 'I learned to play guitar from a Best of The Beatles Songbook,' Heyborne remembers. 'I was heavy into the contemporary folk scene following storytelling masters like David Wilcox and John Gorka. And at the same time I was learning to playhook-heavy Beatles tunes.
''By the end of my 9th grade year, I was performing my original songs (along with plenty of Beatles covers) to groups of 40 to 50 people in my friend's backyard. This became a frequent event for the rest of my high school experience.
'Heyborne recorded 3 albums during his high school years and continued to build a strong following. After graduating, he formed Bentleigh, an acoustic rock band. Helming the group, Heyborne brought Bentleigh to the forefront of the Intermountain music scene. During the 2002 Salt Lake OlympicWinter Games, Bentleigh performed at many events, private parties, and opened for N'SYNC at the Olympic Medals Plaza.
Kirby has released three successful solo albums, performed across the country, and has had his songs featured in 4 films. His recently released album, 'Merry White Tree in the Night,' has received rave reviews and will be featured in the holiday film, 'Together Again for the First Time' in which he also played a starring role. The release of 'The Elm Tree,' March 31, 2009, will be his fourth and 'best yet', says producer Nathan DeVore.
Heyborne, now solo, is currently touring the country and enchanting audiences with his storytelling and intimate songs. He resides with his wife and 2 children in Los Angeles.
The story of 'The Elm Tree'. Thoughts on my new album.
Life is made up of moments and every moment is a gift.
There are moments when we lose hope. We can only see the bare limbs of winter trees. We forget that there is life pulsing through the roots in the frozen ground. We feel like we can't make it through another day. But somehow we find the strength. Something reminds us of the blossoms that come every spring. Sometimes it's a friend or a family member who offers a hand of comfort. Other times we rely on our faith to get us through.
As I was working on this album I read a favorite book of mine, 'The Giving Tree,' by Shel Silverstein. It's the story of a tree that loves a boy and gives everything to make the boy happy. I have always enjoyed the story but after my most recent reading I realized: I am the boy. I thought of people in my life who are the tree: my wife, my parents, a neighbor battling cancer, a young friend fighting in Afghanistan. They are strong, dependable, and giving. Even when there is nothing left to give, they continue to comfort, inspire and give me strength.
These songs are about moments of happiness, sorrow, courage, and hope.This album is for the trees in my life.
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