Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Kitchens.
Hi Amanda, 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 backstory with our readers?
Hello all! I’m a professional accordion player & singer/ songwriter.. I was born in Houston & raised in Bastrop. My dad was an Austin Firefighter at the time (recently retired). My mother put me in ballet at the age of 4 & I danced until 8th grade. I began piano lessons at age 7. When I was 12, my piano teacher told me she’d taken me as far as she could and I’d need to find a more advanced teacher. My final piano recital was Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. When I signed up for band in 6th grade, they asked which my top three choices would be. My first choice was drums but they said because I was left handed that I probably would be great at drumming and put me on the clarinet (my second choice).. I quickly moved to bass clarinet but they wouldn’t let me march with it, so I brought a tuba home between 8th & 9th grade and learned it out of a book. My dad had played tuba in band & my tiny mom played bari sax, so now I’d have the best of both worlds. I picked up the guitar when I was 19 & was playing rhythm guitar in a bluegrass band when I was gifted my first accordion at age 25. I surpassed my five years on guitar within a year. It was meant to be. I became a professional musician in 2005. At one point my dream had been to work part time and play part time. I’m proud to say that I’m a full time musician now. I’ve been on the road for the last 3 & 1/2 months on tour. I’m turning back around to play Terlingua this weekend. I’ve got one night at home. That’s the life of a nomadic musician. I love coming home to Texas though. I’ve deeply missed tacos and two stepping. I make a lot of my living performing at Renaissance festivals across the country (I performed in West Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin & Arkansas over the summer). I have also had the pleasure of working with Guy Forsyth & the Squirrel Nut Zippers. I’ve put out two albums under my name both produced by Dr. Sick of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. I love to dance & I love to inspire dancing in others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road is never entirely smooth. I’ve had three blowouts on my trailer this summer. My AC’s been out for the last month and a half. Jumping around so much makes it challenging to schedule in the summer when everyone wants work done. Gas is very expensive right now. Groceries are too & with the regulations being so lax on food, it’s hard to know what’s safe to eat right now. And because everything’s so expensive, tips have been down too. I wouldn’t trade it for the world though. I partially started playing music so I could travel more, & now I’ve got a cozy home on wheels & a full calendar. Life is good!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional accordion player, singer: songwriter. I’m a multi-instrumentalist too, but Accordions really my main one. I’m known for my high energy repertoire, fiery improv & my dance moves while performing.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Even if you don’t need the money, take the money. You are devaluing everyone else in your field if you allow yourself to be undervalued. Know your worth.
And remember progress is progress. Don’t forget to have fun with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandakitchensmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandakitchensmusic?stkn=MW9wNWRranAzMXExOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19KosMbkBN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
