There's just something about a savory cuppa coffee and guitar music that resonates with this guy. It's Saturday morning, and what has become something of a ritual for me is fully underway down at the Cuppa Manna Cafe in downtown Summerville. So many musical moments, smiles and friendly conversations have taken place here over the last six years...and coffee--lots and lots of coffee.
Today, however, is something even more; a homecoming of sorts. Nathan just finished up his set, and I'm two songs in when familiar faces from the not so distant past come through the door. Jennifer and Bud Easler, followed by their daughter, Kirby Jane, make their entrance, and find the familiar comfy chairs near the stage. I smile and nod while playing one of my latest arrangements for them. After the song, I ask Kirby, "where's your guitar!?" She said it was in the car, and Bud instinctively knows that I mean to hear her play it, as he shifts to roadie mode retrieving it for her.
Who is Kirby Jane? Well, one could be from Summerville and be forgiven the question only if they've just moved in over the past year. Kirby has been making the scene in Nashville during that time, but it doesn't seem so long ago that she was a rising open mic star every Tuesday night in this very cafe. Back in 2011, she came at my invitation after I saw her on YouTube playing back stage for guitar phenom, Tommy Emmanuel. I was immediately impressed, as was Tommy, upon seeing the video, but what I did not yet know was that Kirby had only been playing the guitar for under two years at the time of that filming.
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| Kirby at the Cuppa Manna |
Between songs, we reminisce about how our time together came to be. I ask about how she came to the guitar. I knew most of the details already, but didn't fully know the timeline. She talks about her background in classical piano that started at age 10, and confesses that early on, guitar didn't really appeal to her. Her impression of it derived from big haired 80's shredder bands that seemed nine parts show to one part actual music. But, somewhere around 2009, all that began to change. Between a new introduction to guitar from Christian contemporary bands like Switchfoot to exposure to the nimble guitar work of John Mayer, Kirby's perspective began to change. She picked up an Ovation guitar, and followed a friend's advice to check out Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy was unlike anything she'd ever seen, and she became somewhat obsessed with studying the details of his technique and stage persona. Within two years, she scored a one on one audience with the maestro, himself. His enthusiasm for her was evident from the beginning, and a friendship/mentorship was born.
That brings us back to where we met. Since then, I've had the pleasure of seeing Kirby grow her skill set from impressive to inspiring. Open mic night provided a proving ground where Kirby polished her already fearless stage persona. She credits this time for giving her the stage experience that would serve her well for the opportunities to come.
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| Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Easler |
Her first foray into the Nashville scene was as an attendee to the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention. Kirby quickly garnered the attention of Nashville guitar veterans like Merle Travis's son, Thom Bresh, and Grammy winning arranger, guitar player, John Knowles. John and Kirby became fast friends, and John continues to be a mentor to this day. Kirby earned the attention of Fred and Dinah Gretsch of the legendary Gretsch Guitar company, and has been doing archival, and performing artist work for the Gretsch's since. Her first time in the national spotlight was on the David Letterman Show with her famous talking pup, Grabel, followed by a special feature alongside her hero, Tommy Emmanuel, at the Newberry Opera House.
Not long after high school/junior college graduation...that's right, Kirby graduated high school with a diploma and two associates degrees, Kirby set her sights on Nashville. John Knowles became a sort of godfather for her helping her settle into the, brutal for most, world of the music city.
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| Kirby with Seidina Reed, Tommy Emmanuel and Brent Mason Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Easler |
Since then, Kirby has been climbing the proverbial ladder often times more than one rung at a time. She has achieved a pretty impressive freshman set of accomplishments to date. She's been featured in several impressive lineups including an all star tribute to Jerry Reed, as well as a main stage feature at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention. She's shared the stage with the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles and Grammy winning/Two time CMA Musician of the Year, Brent Mason. She's joined the ranks of Nashville's top guitarists by being a featured writer for Premier Guitar Magazine, and she was featured on Nashville Gruhn Guitars, and Viva! NashVegas, live radio broadcasts. She continues to be an archivists for the Gretsch Guitar company and has just accepted an internship at the Country Music Hall of Fame doing archival work beginning on August 1st.
When I asked Kirby about future goals, she simply said she wanted to continue making it as a musician in a town full of folks aspiring to do the same. She said she was less interested in fame than in the continued esteem of those that she admires the most. And, she has earned that in abundance.
Who knows what the future holds, but I think it can comfortably be said that Kirby Jane has already made her mark. A mark for which our local music community can be proud. What's better is that she has done so with humility and gratitude. As I pack up my guitar, I can't help but smile and think of the dreams that find soil in places such as the Cuppa Manna, and I'm thankful...thankful for dreams, good coffee, and my friend, Miss Kirby Jane.
