Daily Inspiration: Meet Kevin Ebright

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Ebright

Hi Kevin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am originally from Pickerington, OH which is a rural suburb of Columbus. I have many family members that are involved in music in various ways – DJ’s, composers, singers, etc. but I was more into sports than music at a young age. I was introduced to country music by my mother and would listen to it in the car back and forth usually to my sporting events, but transitioned to listening to grunge & hip hop as I grew up. In 6th grade I asked for a stratocaster guitar for Christmas and that began my infatuation with playing guitar and lead to an appreciation of music of all genre’s. I still have that first guitar! My friends and I began to learn the popular rock songs from bands like Green Day, Nirvana, Bush, Metallica etc. however it was just a hobby to let off steam.
It wasn’t until I was in college at The Ohio State University that it clicked with the guitar. Upon graduation I moved to the Florida Keys where I was a dolphin trainer who worked with animals that helped special needs children. One weekend we drove down to Key West to hang out and my life was forever changed. I walked past numerous venues that had solo guitarists performing and in most cases, the crowds were singing along. It was the most fun I had ever had and it was in that moment that I decided “I want to do that!”. I began to practice more and studied those guys that had been doing that professionally for 20+ years.

Upon moving from the Keys up to my current hometown of Cocoa Beach, FL to start teaching Science at Cocoa Beach HS, I decided to take what I had learned and practiced around family and friends and actually start booking paying gigs. To my delight, the town loved it and I had venues contacting me trying to book me. It has turned into a thriving business.

I still have ties in the Keys and travel down to play there several times a year. I have become friends with those amazing artists that I once, and still, idolized.

I also began to write my own songs. This might sound odd for a country writer, but ever since listening to Eminem in high school, I have been a student of the lyric craft and listen to music in a manner that is almost scientific; really dissecting the lyrics and appreciating clever ways of writing. I heard Jordan Davis say in an interview upon the release of his album “Bluebird Days” that he has such a great team of writers around him and something to the effect of “there is a good way to get a point across, and a better way.” I really identified with that as I try to make my lyrics perfect, almost to a fault.

A few years ago while performing in Key West, I got a call asking to perform there for the songwriter fest. This was such an amazing blessing. I had been attending the event as a spectator for years, but a chance to be a part of it was the next level. After that weekend I had made so many new friends and contacts. Upon returning home and sharing my stories with locals, I thought “we have such a great set of venues here on the Space Coast and I happen to know people in so many different avenues in town, what if I invited all of my new buddies to do a songwriter fest here the weekend before Key West’s?”
And thus, the start of the Space Coast Songwriter Fest was born. 2024 was our inaugural year and it went better than I could have ever imagined. A mixuture of Nashville artists and FL local writers in a three day beachfront festival of songwriter rounds in April – what could be better!?

I am currently preparing for our 2nd year, all while trying to still write and while performing 2-3x per week (oh and still teaching Biology & spending time with my amazing wife and 4yr old daughter). It’s a busy life for now but one filled with support, blessings, and an amazing community of people to share it with. It may not be Nashville, but it’s our version and a slice of paradise.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While I have seen many blessings and successes, there have been many challenges in all aspects of my journey. The struggle of balancing a day job and a family while trying to grow a business on the side has made me budget my time down to the hour some days. I can’t tell you how many times I have been driving from one job to the next while on a phone meeting taking care of business. Lately I have been too busy to even write new songs and that certainly has to change. Then, sometimes venues change hands or go out of business, not to mention juggling fundraising and promotions of a festival. But I won’t complain as a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a performer, I am known for being an interactive solo performer that makes shows fun for all crowds and ages.

As a writer, I am known for writing clever & meaningful lyrics that attempts to make hit songs for the radio or to really tug at your thoughts and emotions.

As a business owner, I am known for being detail oriented and a great communicator. The reviews from the artists last year that played in my festival were how little details were taken care of and done well and that meant the world to me.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
SongBook app on iOS is a must have during my shows because so many people give requests.

Masterclass subscription has been influential. I’ve listened to Tom Morello explain his approach to guitar playing, and to John Legend on songwriting, or to Reba MacEntire on performing. Or even Mark Cuban on running a successful business. Learning from the best has definitely pointed me in the right directions many times.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kevinebrightmusic.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/kevinebrightmusic & instagram.com/spacecoastsongwriterfest
• Facebook: facebook.com/kevinebrightmusic & facebook.com/spacecoastsongwriterfest