Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Kidd.
Hi Alex, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Sure! I grew up in Little River County Arkansas in a town of about 4,000 people.
I was in an off-and-on again relationship with the guitar around the age of 12 but during middle school, I connected with a couple of friends and put an indie rock band together. From there, we spent much of our junior high and high school years traveling around the American south playing all-ages venues.
After I graduated from school, I relocated to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and I started developing a newfound appreciation for country and western music the further I was away from my southern roots. I spent many years learning country guitar and in the meanwhile became completely obsessed with ‘that sound’ of the steel guitar. A few years later, I took a deep dive and bought my first steel guitar and haven’t looked back since.
I got my start playing a lot of brewery and smaller bar gigs with duo, trio, and full band setups. At first, I would bring the steel along for a few songs to test the waters during the middle of a set. Fast forward to today and I live in Nashville and primarily play the pedal steel supporting various singer-songwriters and groups around town in both the live and studio session environment.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a journey, I’ll say that.
Learning and playing the pedal steel guitar definitely has a unique set of challenges. The instrument itself can be very temperamental, difficult to comprehend at times, and requires a good deal of the DIY attitude. Some guitars may have a total of 20 strings, 8-foot pedals, and 8 knee levers – creating a myriad of ways to create chords and melodies.
Another interesting fact is that the steel guitar does not have an established pedagogy or a standard approach to teaching the instrument.
This means that learning the instrument is not exactly a straight and narrow path. Generally speaking, people who take up the instrument tend to listen and learn from the players that inspire them and then blend that collective knowledge into a unique style of their own.
During the deep lockdown portion of the 2020 pandemic, I purchased a 1974 ShoBud pedal steel guitar from an estate sale and it was in need of serious repair unbeknownst to me at the time of sale. Being forced to tear apart, rebuild, and re-adjust the instrument gave me a whole new appreciation and understanding of the instrument and what it is truly capable of.
Looking back now, I’m thankful for having gone through that process as it ramped up the learning process exponentially. It also doesn’t hurt to be able to work on your own equipment in the event that something fails on the road.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I primarily work as a “side-man” here in town – both in live performance and studio session environments. I primarily play pedal steel and the electric guitar but am also capable of supporting artists and/or producers with other utility instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, or dobro.
I would say what sets me apart is that I know where my role is in the bigger picture of a project. Generally speaking, utility instruments are the ‘icing on the cake’ and serve to enhance the artist they are supporting and not get in the way of the song delivery.
Being able to identify when to play is important, however, being able to identify when not to play is equally important in the utility-player role.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The first thing that comes to mind is without a doubt the people. I think this town has a reputation for a reason.
Most, if not, every time I make a new connection here – it proves to be a person who listens, has genuine intent, and offers help or guidance in any way they can. As an artist, being surrounded by such humble people who are also the best talent in the world is inspiring.
I’m a strong advocate for physical well-being. I would say that it’s no surprise to most that Nashville could use more sidewalks and bike-friendly infrastructure. Physical health is important and I know that folks here do believe that, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: alexkiddmusic.com
- Instagram: @alexkiddo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexkiddo
Image Credits
Tyre Grannemann, Paul Ferradas, and Stevie Milligan
