BRIAN KALINEC

Texan Brian Kalinec has been called "a combination of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, James Taylor, and Rodney Crowell in the stories he tells" in a review in music magazine Rootsy. Marilyn Rea Beyer, host of Midnight Special & Folkstage, WFMT describes Brian’s performance and writing as "Down to earth vocals with some “What was that, again?” lyrics.“  Winning events such as the Songwriter Serenade Competition and the Big Top Chautauqua Song Contest, placing second in the Woody Guthrie Song Contest and being chosen as a three-time finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest, has brought Brian significant recognition as a writer.  He was nominated for Songwriter of the Year and Musician of the Year in the Texas Music Awards.  He has appeared at the Kerrville Folk Festival, and venues such as Uncle Calvin's in Dallas, The Bugle Boy in La Grange, and as a featured guest on Folkstage on WFMT in Chicago. Brian has also played Houston’s Mcgonigel’s Mucky Duck and Anderson Fair. He has been an Official Showcase Artist at the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) and appeared as an Alternate Official Showcase Artist at SWRFA in 2023. 

Brian released his newest project, “The Beauty of it All”, in 2023, which reached #9 on the September 2023 Euro Americana Chart in its third month and #16 on the June 2023 FAI Folk Chart. A song from this album, “Redwood Fence”, premiered in late January on Americana Highways.  He toured in Europe in the past summer, with a festival appearance in the Czech Republic and performed  in the UK with Libby Koch and Patterson Barrett, including appearances at the Belladrum Festival near Inverness.  He tours yearly as well with Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner in the duo Kalinec & Kj.   His writing and guitar skills have drawn praise from well-known artists and musicians such as Steve Gillette, Steve Weisberg, Tom Pacheco, and Merel Bregante.

Brian is a recipient of the “My Texan” Award at the 2012 Texas Music Awards for his support of the music and musicians of the state, He and his wife Pam own Berkalin Records, a label which is home to a number of well-respected folk and Americana artists.  Brian is Past-President of the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance, and he was recently on the boards of directors for Songwriter Serenade and HoustonLive.  Brian currently hosts his monthly Brian.at.Berkalin songwriter series at EQ Heights, now in its 14th year.

For More Information:
Email: briankalinecmusic@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 281-782-3115
Website:  www.briankalinec.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Brian-Kalinec/173248789434750
Twitter: @BrianKalinec
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/briankalinec
Management:  Charlie Stewart   handshakemgt@aol.com
Publicity:  Michael Kornfeld   michael@michaelkornfeld.com

What Others are Saying About Brian Kalinec:

Robert Bartosh, Roots Music Report (US)

Brian Kalinec is one of the most creative songwriters from the Texas music scene we have heard this year at Roots Music Report.  All 12 tracks on his new album “The Fence” are simply wonderful to listen to.

There is something special about listening to songs by a singer of this caliber that seem to invite the listener into the private life and thoughts of the songs’ creator Brian Kalinec. You can actually become part of these songs if you close your eyes and let Brian lead you on a wonderful melodic trip of your own. Good music is something to be revered and this new album is one that is. Yes I must say “Revered” says it all.
 
Staffan Solding, Rootsy (Sweden)

Interesting lyrics, poetic touch and personal reflections combined with a supple musical setting. There is a combination of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, James Taylor and Rodney Crowell in the stories he tells...Brian is a fine singer - songwriter... he sings with a soft and strong singing voice, a voice that captivates because it has such a strong ability to convey the words, tie them together with music to a functioning whole.  He is a brilliant guitar player...the combination of fine thoughtful lyrics, strong melodies and a clever musical cast  make "The Fence" a strong album..."The Fence" takes its well-deserved place on the Euro Americana Chart...

Tom Pacheco, liner notes from The Fence

In this 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's birth, these songs resonate in our own times.  I'm sure Woody would have loved them... (Brian) sings, writes, and plays so seamlessly that it feels these songs have always been there.