Thank you for chatting with us! Did you always want to be a musician or was there a specific moment that something happened that made you think "this is what I want to do with my life." If so, what was it? I started on a family organ at 8 years old and then guitar at 12. I always wanted to play drums growing up but our house didn't have the space. Growing up in a sports-oriented family there wasn't a lot of focus on music, but I always enjoyed it. When my father passed at 13, music and guitar took on a new meaning in my life. It helped me deal with his loss, especially through middle and high school. Along with that, I just had fun playing and jamming with friends. I always dreamed about what it'd be like to have a career in music, but I never had much direction on where I could take my music. It wasn't until college when the guitar my father bought me got damaged by someone. It was a difficult time but that experience was a turning point. From there I wanted to use the challenges I had faced to inspire others and make a positive impact through music. I was in a band in college for a couple of years, had a solo project after that, and then was in the corporate world for five years. I always continued to play music throughout my years in sales. However, I made the decision to pursue a career in music, and follow my passion and dream of becoming a full-time singer, songwriter, and musician.
It wasn't one moment for me that decided my path. It was the combination of experiences I had growing up, performing music in high school and college, and then being a part of corporate America. Along with those experiences, I always had a desire within me to make a positive impact on the world in some way. And for me that way is music. I just decided. It is what I love to do, and I told myself I am going to make it happen no matter what. I put all of my focus and effort into it. I would say that was all part of my journey, and fast forward years later it has led me to Nashville, where I am now. I really enjoy traveling the country, sharing my music, and meeting some great people along the way. I look forward to what's next!
Is there anyone in your family that you can credit as being instrumental in your decision to go into the music field? My Mom has always been supportive of my decision to pursue music. When the guitar my father bought me before he passed was damaged in college, my Mom was the one who bought me a new guitar so that I could keep playing. She is a very strong woman. She raised 3 boys on her own; myself and my 2 older brothers. I don't know how she did it without my Dad. Her strength is inspiring. I told her that when I make it in music I will get her a retirement condo on the beach somewhere so she can relax in her retirement in peace, with a Stella in hand!:)
Who have been some of your biggest musical influences growing up and do the same artists currently continue to influence you now? The biggest influences on my music growing up were artists within the rock, classic rock, blues rock, and Motown genres. My Dad listened to CCR, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bob Seger, and the occasional Sinatra when he was in the recliner. So I like those artists along with Skynyrd, Tom Petty, Stevie Ray, Stevie Wonder, GnR, Sublime, and many more. I then got into 90s country with Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, and then the modern country artists like Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen along with Billy Currington and Eric Church. So growing up I had a mix of classic rock, rock, some Motown, and now country. I love blues music and that is where a lot of the music of today comes from, so I take a piece of all the influences and make it my own which is a lot of fun.
Aside from singing do you play any instruments? I primarily play acoustic and electric guitar but can also play bass, piano, and drums.
What is your favorite dish to cook? Porterhouse Steak or BBQ chicken on the grill.
What is your favorite breakfast? Ham & cheese omelet with home fries and onions.
Where is your favorite place to eat in your hometown? Riviera Pizza or Donkey's Steaks.
What is the best dish you ever had? Shrimp & Crab Imperial over Lobster Ravioli at Tarantella's.
What do you think is the most important meal of the day is and why? Breakfast, because it's the first meal of the day and starts your day off right!
If you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why? Gatorade. I drink Gatorade every day. I just really like Gatorade.
ABOUT KENNY CURCIO
Kenny Curcio is a national touring singer/songwriter. Having grown up in Medford, NJ, Curcio picked up his first guitar, a gift from his father, at age 12. Inspired by Blues Rock, Country, and Folk music, Curico spent years honing his craft and developing his own unique sound. With his driven attitude and heartfelt lyrics crafted from real-life experiences and raw emotion, it is no wonder how Curcio garnered fans across the Greater Philadelphia area and has grown his fanbase upon moving to Nashville to pursue his dream of a music career.
Curcio has had the opportunity to share the stage with Randy Houser and Tyler Farr at Estess Arena in Atlantic City, NJ at an event featuring PGA champion John Daly. He also performed live for 107.3 Cat Country Radio at the 2021 Barefoot Country Music Festival before Jon Pardi and Carrie Underwood. He has shared the stage with Gary Allen and Corey Smith and has enjoyed radio airplay on NJ’s Cat Country 107.3, Philadelphia's 93.3 WMMR, 104.5, and extensive college radio airplay.
Curcio was a featured artist in Americana Music Magazine and with Reverbnation in 2020. His 2021 single, "Us In The USA" received national recognition placing second in the 2021 Global Rising Song Contest, and was featured on John Rich's (Big & Rich) Redneck Riviera website.