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Kevin's Christmas
album is now
FREE on iTunes!
"Kevin. I love your Christmas album."
- Greg Iwinksi, editor Lifeteen.com
(via a text message)
A singer/songwriter born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Kevin Heider has only recently begun taking his music out from beyond the confines of his own living room. Self-taught on both the guitar and the piano, he has written well over a hundred original songs in the past six years. Coupled with a unique acoustic/folk/rock sound, his lyrics intensely reflect his struggle as an artist and as a person of deep faith and conviction. Now available on iTunes, Kevin released To Whom It May Concern , his debut album with Maybe Penguins Exist Records , in May of 2009. His first Christmas album, titled Merry Christmas, Henry! , is now FREE on iTunes.
Shortly before moving to northern Virginia, where he now works as a Youth Minister, Kevin was personally selected by Ingrid Michaelson as the winner of Gibson's "The Way I Am Contest" on MusicNation.com in July of 2008. His folk/rock arrangement of the classic hymn "Hail, Holy Queen" was selected to appear on QuickStar Productions' "Unified By Grace" compilation album, now on iTunes. He also had the privilege of performing an original song ("Hope for Our Children") at the Embassy of the Republic of Guyana back in March.
Having appeared in radio jingles, film documentaries, theatrical productions, and television shows and commericals, Kevin has employed his musical abilities for a wide variety of artistic mediums. He is currently in talks to work with his fellow Maybe Penguins Exist Records artists to produce original music for an upcoming reality TV mini-series. Most recently, Kevin was invited to speak and perform at a Christian youth conference in New Zealand in March.
In trying to infuse all of his music with a joyful sincerity, Kevin finds resounding truth in the words of the late Pope John Paul the Great: "Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocationas poet, writer, sculptor, architect, musician, actor and so onfeel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it at the service of their neighbor and of humanity as a whole." Kevin recorded his second studio album, , this past December. It is currently in its final stages of mixing/mastering and should be ready for worldwide release early this spring.
On Kevin's To Whom It May Concern:
"A talented first album that will have you eagerly awaiting more." ---Greg Iwinski, editor Lifeteen.com
"...I think one of the things that impressed me most about this cd is the intimacy that comes with it. You literally feel like you're in the living room with Kevin, and I was very impressed with this album...there's just not a lot of albums that make you feel that way, that make you feel like you're almost in the room with the artist. And Kevin does an incredible job of presenting a very pure album, a very stripped album, and one that's definitely not overproduced and one that really illustrates and shows the strength of the music." --- Rob Ayoub, CatholicMusicExpress.com
On Kevin's Performance (July 25, 2009):
"Kevin Heider was a huge hit at our July 25, 2009 Catholic Underground Arlington! Kevin exhibited raw, acoustic talent with a confident, assertive voice. He brought silence during his piano and guitar solos and revved up the audience with his faster tunes...which brought our young adults to their feet, clapping to his original music. Everyone enjoyed his performance and we are still receiving compliments several weeks later." --- Kateri Schmidt, Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of Arlington
"This man is to music what Patrick Swayze was to Dirty Dancing...essential, soulful, and utterly captivating." --- Greg Iwinski, editor Lifeteen.com
Click to Read Ingrid's Letter!
About Merry Christmas, Henry!
Merry Christmas, Henry! is the first of many free music offerings from up-and-coming singer/songwriter Kevin Heider. From the raw folk/acoustic sound of his guitar and vocals, to the eclectic harmonies in his a capella arrangements, to the joyfully wry, grin-inducing comedic flavor sauteed into classic carols like Jingle Bells, O Christmas Tree, and Deck the Halls, to the solemn reverence of his closing Silent Night, Kevin Heiders debut Christmas album with Maybe Penguins Exist Records will have everyone screaming "Merry Christmas, Henry!" It is now FREE iTunes!
About To Whom It May Concern
To Whom It May Concern is Kevin Heider's debut acoustic piano album. The flowing, melodic temperament of his music, combined with poetic and heartfelt reflections on war and peace, saints and angels, hope and forgiveness, love lost and love found, is sure to give its listener a unique glimpse into one artist's quest to more fully understand and appreciate the great mystery of life.
Regarding the title track, Kevin states: "I wrote this song in response to John Mayer's Grammy-winning song 'Waiting on the World to Change,' which claims to represent the views of his [and my] generation with the defeatist and hopeless message that nothing we can do will make a difference. But I don't believe that, not for one second." The artwork for the album was all created by Kevin's five year-old sister and goddaughter, Faith Elizabeth Heider. The very first song is a prayerful lullaby written just for her. It is currently available on iTunes.
To Whom It May Concern
$9.99
Merry Christmas, Henry!
FREE
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Tour Dates
News
2/5/10 - Owings, MD
Cardinal Hickey Academy
Faith Rally _ 10:00 a.m.
3/5/10 - Mt. Maunzanui, New Zealand
Catholic Youth Conference (March 5-7).
3/8/10 - Mt. Maunzanui, New Zealand
Adult Retreat (March 8-10).
3/20/10 - Winchester, VA
All Saints' Boys' Confirmation Retreat
3/27/10 - Winchester, VA
7/12/10 - Bloomingdale, OH
The Holy Family Fest _ 9:00 p.m.
7/13/10 - Bloomingdale, OH
The Holy Family Fest _ 11:00 a.m.
8/21/10 - Portland, MI
The Penguin Festival
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Past Shows
1/29/10 - Woodbridge, VA
Thomas Aquinas Regional School
Youth Rally _ 8:00 a.m.
11/21/09 - Hopewell Junction, NY
Catholic Underground North _ 7:30 p.m.
11/14/09 - Philadelphia, PA
Catholic Underground Philly _ 7:30 p.m.
9/25/09 - Dayton, OH
Far Hills Community Church
Dayton Right to Life's "Viva la Vita" _ 7:30 p.m.
8/21/09 - Portland, MI
Portland Civic Players Playhouse _ 7:00 p.m.
(w/ Guinevere Norman and Andrea Gleason)
7/25/09 - Arlington, VA
Catholic Underground Arlington _ 7:30 p.m.
1/12/10 - The Salzburg Revolution is currently in the mixing/mastering stage at Innovation Studios in Steubenville, Ohio.
12/28/09 - Kevin entered the studio to begin recording his second album, The Salzburg Revolution, due out in April 2010.
12/7/09 - Kevin's first Christmas album, Merry Christmas, Henry!, is now FREE on iTunes!
11/5/09 - Kevin is in talks to compose original music for an upcoming miniseries currently in production.
9/17/09 - Kevin was invited to speak at a Christian youth conference in New Zealand in March of 2010.
7/25/09 - Kevin's arrangement of "Hail, Holy Queen" is now on iTunes!
6/26/09 - Kevin's song "Little Child, Don't Cry" will appear in a documentary about U.S. Congressman Ron Paul (www.forlibertymovie.com)
5/1/09 - Kevin Heider's debut album To Whom It May Concern is now on iTunes!
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You, the Reader,
As I sat down at my computer to compose the "About Kevin" section of this website, I found myself at a loss for words. I cannot tell you how difficult it was for me to try to convey my artistic intentions to you, the reader, in a manner that was eloquent, informative, and succinct without fearing that I would inevitably wind up plunging headlong into the cataclysmic abyss of the cliché. Nevertheless, the Spirit so moved me.
I recorded my very first album in March of 2003. The album was titled Finding Tulsa. It had nine guitar songs, three piano songs, and one bonus track that I had written to sound like a Pink Floyd song. Of the 13 tracks on the album, which I do not enjoy listening to, only three of the songs actually meant something. One of those songs, "Waterslide," has survived the scrutinizing tests through which I subject every individual work of art I create once an extended period of time has elapsed since its inception, and thus appears in much better form on my official debut piano album, To Whom It May Concern.
While I find that my earliest songs are best described as aesthetically mediocre and lyrically obtuse, in the seven years since my "career" as a singer/songwriter began I have experienced the most utterly mysterious and unfathombable facet of life typically referred to as growing up. At some point or another I started becoming more concerned with what was happening in the world around me. I began reflecting very deeply, very personally on life, love, who we are as a people and where we're going.
My wondrous fascination with studying History, Theology, and the Sacred Scriptures have filled me with a genuine desire to look for God in all things. I have come to appreciate ever so much more the Catholic faith my parents loved and believed in so much as to teach it to me. I have come to see the various ways in which art has been taken hostage within the suffocating confines of our American popular culture, the worst of which can be clearly observed in modern art's generous acceptance and subsequent reflection of values which are at best morally relative. I have come to believe in the words of the late Pope John Paul II, that the work of artists can and should reflect genuine "epiphanies of beauty" and "moments of grace." Having developed a style uniquely my own, it is my fervent hope and desire that my songs might serve you well as musically affecting, lyrically poignant reflections on the human in light of the divine.
If you've read this far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you have enjoyed reading what I felt so compelled to write. Likewise, I truly hope that you will enjoy my music, if, that is, the good Lord so moves you to give it a closer listen.
Those of you who don't know me personally may find this a little odd, but I simply do not feel that it is appropriate to end this any other way than by wishing you, the reader, a truly blessed and merry Christmas! May God bless us, everyone!
Sincerely,
Kevin J. Heider
Deep, heartfelt gratitude is to be extended to the following (in chronological order):
God and His Spirit and His Son; Moses and the Prophets; Mary and Joseph; St. Peter, Paul, and the rest of the apostles; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; Frank and Rita Heider; Robert and Ginny Sjostrom; Joe and Fran Heider; Jackie, Danny, and Faith Heider; John, Valerie, and Lily Duffy; Mary Heider; Katy Sjostrom; Beth Sjostrom; Mary Pat Sjostrom; Annie & Howie Smith; Joe, Tammy, Zack, Gordy, and Sammy Sjostrom; Bob, Brenda, Sarah, and Holly Sjostrom; Steve, Angie, Brian, Diane, and Lisa Morris; John, Susie, Emily, and Sean Heider; Chris, Marianne, Zack, Ben, and Caroline Heider; Chris, Joanie, Josh, Joel, Maria, and Noah Rauch; St. Charles Elementary School; Joe Afanador; Mrs Schneider, Mrs. Krumholtz, and Mrs. Walker; Archbishop Alter High School; Emily Bull and the Bull Family; Andrij Fitzsimmons, Kyle Lammlein, Joe Heritage, Pat Clark, and Aaron Villareal; Matt Buerhle, Andrew Short, Erik Balster, and Pete Disalvo; Mark Hess; Trace & Veronica Crawford; Franciscan University of Steubenville; Father Michael Scanlan; Pope John Paul II; Greg Iwinski; Dave Ford and Ron & Toni Ford; Mike Miravalle; Paul & Larissa Halsell; Grant Roberts; Greg Hillebrand; Tony Ertel; Kirk Andrews; Josh Spears and the Spears Family; Diana Salcido and Scarlet Biberstein; Kevin Meziere; Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno; U2; Doctors Bergsma, Schreck, Hahn, Sirilla, and Prof. Donahue; Austria Fall '06; Pat Mansfield; Mark Schreck; Anne Delmare; Sarah Bartley; Gina Pagano and Rachel Ramey; Megan Mastroianni; Father Dave Pivonka; Sister Monica and Sister Grace Anne; Pope Benedict XVI; Coldplay; Bobby Balzarini, Marty Collins, Sean Crofford, Myles Nolan, Kevin Wessa, Erik Hickson, Tim Sutter, Damian Olsen, Vince Franzonello, Ben Weber, and Max Walker; Paul and P.T. Mooney; Celeste Bueche and Leigh Sanchez; Mike, Lizzie, and Michael Hadro; Henry & Megan Hildebrandt; Martin & Jessica Watjen; Ryan & Katie Koegler; the entire original cast of "Teeth: A Monstrous Musical Comedy"; Bill DiPiero and the DiPiero Family; Tim, Andrew, Kevin, and Mr. & Mrs. Danaher; The Madden Family (John, Mary, Monica, Marissa, Teresa, and Bernadette); Joseph and Laura Jurasko; Mike and Matt Gossett; Chris Simmons; Kristin Tegethoff; Jim Wockenfuss; Bob Lesnefsky; Mark Pirro; Joey & Kelly Lombardi; Ingrid Michaelson; Paul Lehner and Drive-by Recording; Bryan Rosenthal; Dan Bozek and Aarvark Productions; Mike Ofca and Innovation Studios; Joe Landry and Christian Lewis; Father David Meng and Father James Searby; the entire staff at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church; Matt Hadro, Erin French, Collen Dowd, Kyle O'Brien, and Jacie Chuquillangui; John Boring and Liz Lang; Brian Kissinger; Kateri Schmidt and Father Brian Bashista; Mike & Lauren Holman; Chris & Claire Madden; Kristin Breslin; Sufjan Stevens; James Stewart and Donna Reed; Peter Weir; Jim Caviezel; Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase; Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart; Congressman Ron Paul; Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins; G.K. Chesterton; Peter Kreeft; Aaron & Keri Widerspahn and Either/Or Films; Laina Barakat; Dan Nicholls; and Daniel Smith (Danielson).
An extra special thanks
to the Madden Family
and to Mike Ofca at
Innovation Studios.
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