# Kirk Fletcher > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kirk_Fletcher > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kirk_Fletcher.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Fletcher > Source revision: 1340481513 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American singer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Kirk Fletcher | image = | caption = | image_size = | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|12|23}} | birth_place = [Bellflower, California](/source/Bellflower%2C_California), United States | death_date = | death_place = | instrument = Guitar, singer | genre = [Electric blues](/source/Electric_blues) | occupation = Guitarist, singer, songwriter | years_active = 1990s–present | label = Various | website = {{URL|kirkfletcherband.com/}} }} '''Kirk Fletcher''' (born December 23, 1975) is an American [electric blues](/source/electric_blues) guitarist, singer, and songwriter. To date, Fletcher has released six studio albums and one live album. In addition, he has variously been a member of [the Fabulous Thunderbirds](/source/the_Fabulous_Thunderbirds) and [the Mannish Boys](/source/the_Mannish_Boys), plus supplied backing for [Joe Bonamassa](/source/Joe_Bonamassa) and [Eros Ramazzotti](/source/Eros_Ramazzotti). Fletcher has been nominated for four [Blues Music Award](/source/Blues_Music_Award)s and was a 2015 [British Blues Awards](/source/British_Blues_Awards) nominee. His album, ''Hold On'', was self-released in October 2018.{{cite web|url=http://kirkfletcherband.com/bio/|title=Biography – Kirk Fletcher|website=Kirkfletcherband.com|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} It reached number 12 in the ''[Living Blues](/source/Living_Blues)'' radio chart,{{cite web|url=https://mojohand.com/blues-news-blues-report/|title=The Blues Report|website=Mojohand.com|accessdate=February 19, 2019|archive-date=February 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220063018/https://mojohand.com/blues-news-blues-report/|url-status=dead}} and entered at number 15 in the US ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'' [Blues Albums](/source/Billboard_charts) [chart](/source/record_chart).{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/theorchard/posts/10157902643337589|title=The Orchard|website=Facebook.com|accessdate=February 19, 2019}}{{Primary source inline|date=March 2019}} It was nominated in 2019 for a Blues Music Award in the 'Contemporary Blues Album' category.{{cite web|url=http://kirkfletcherband.com/news/|title=News – Kirk Fletcher|website=Kirkfletcherband.com|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} ==Biography== Kirk Fletcher was born in [Bellflower, California](/source/Bellflower%2C_California), United States. He was the younger son of a [Baptist](/source/Baptists) [minister](/source/Minister_(Christianity)), and gained enough confidence from watching his elder sibling, Walter, perform at their father's church, that Kirk learned to play rudimentary guitar by the age of eight.{{cite web|url=https://crossharpchronicles.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/kirk-fletcher-releases-my-turn-on-delta-groove-records/|title=Kirk Fletcher Releases 'My Turn' on Delta Groove Records|first=David W.|last=King|date=March 16, 2010|website=Crossharpchronicles.wordpress.com|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} Fletcher was a member of a jazz band during high school, and later played with his friends on road trips in [Southern California](/source/Southern_California). In Los Angeles he met [Robben Ford](/source/Robben_Ford)'s guitar technician, Jeff Rivera, in a small music shop, and was impressed with Ford's expertise on guitar. Later through spending time with Al Blake, who was the lead singer and harmonica player for the [Hollywood Fats](/source/Hollywood_Fats) Band, helped establish connections with other [West Coast blues](/source/West_Coast_blues) musicians such as [Junior Watson](/source/Junior_Watson) and [Lynwood Slim](/source/Lynwood_Slim). Fletcher became adept enough on the guitar to perform himself at gigs, and he recorded his debut album ''I'm Here & I'm Gone'' (1999) for [JSP Records](/source/JSP_Records). Blake introduced Fletcher to [Kim Wilson](/source/Kim_Wilson) of [the Fabulous Thunderbirds](/source/the_Fabulous_Thunderbirds), which led to Fletcher playing guitar in Kim Wilson's Blues Revue. Touring duties followed and then Fletcher played on Wilson's [Grammy Award](/source/Grammy_Award)-nominated live album, ''Smokin' Joint'' (2001). Shortly afterwards, Fletcher was invited to collaborate with [Charlie Musselwhite](/source/Charlie_Musselwhite). Fletcher stated "This is where I really developed my own sound and Charlie was cool with me being me." In 2003, Fletcher's second album, ''Shades of Blue'' was released by [CrossCut Records](/source/CrossCut_Records) and then on [Delta Groove Productions](/source/Delta_Groove_Productions) the following year. Guests on the recording included the singers Kim Wilson, [Janiva Magness](/source/Janiva_Magness) and [Finis Tasby](/source/Finis_Tasby). An opening appeared to join the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Fletcher played in the band from 2005 until 2008. The opportunities that unfolded led Fletcher into a brief stint with [Doyle Bramhall](/source/Doyle_Bramhall) and a few guest appearances playing alongside [Cyndi Lauper](/source/Cyndi_Lauper) and [Michelle Branch](/source/Michelle_Branch). Fletcher played on the Fabulous Thunderbirds 2005 album, ''[Painted On](/source/Painted_On)''. In 2006, Fletcher appeared with [Nick Curran](/source/Nick_Curran) at the [Notodden Blues Festival](/source/Notodden_Blues_Festival).{{cite web|url=https://www.bluesfest.no/nb-no/oppleve/artister-og-plakater-siden-1988/2006/|title=2006|website=Bluesfest.no|accessdate=February 19, 2019|archive-date=February 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220063103/https://www.bluesfest.no/nb-no/oppleve/artister-og-plakater-siden-1988/2006/|url-status=dead}} In 2009, a tenth anniversary reissue of ''I'm Here & I'm Gone'' came out with bonus tracks.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-here-im-gone-mw0000665937|title=I'm Here & I'm Gone – Kirk Fletcher – Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} The same year, Fletcher and his band performed at [Dark Season Blues](/source/Dark_Season_Blues) in Norway.{{cite web|url=http://www.svalbardblues.com/en/about-dsb/dark-season-blues-2009/ |title=Dark Season Blues 2009 | SVALBARD |website=Svalbardblues.com |accessdate=February 19, 2019}} ''My Turn'' (2010) was Fletcher's third album. It contained tracks penned by [Jimmy Reed](/source/Jimmy_Reed), [Jesse Ed Davis](/source/Jesse_Ed_Davis), [Jimmy Johnson](/source/Jimmy_Johnson_(blues_guitarist)), [Sly Stone](/source/Sly_Stone), Will Felder, and Travis Carlton. Fletcher also recorded three of his own compositions. With his guitar playing producer [Michael Landau](/source/Michael_Landau), plus the horns of saxophonist Paulie Cerra and trumpeter Paul Litterall, Fletcher tackled Reed's "I Found Love," plus Stone's "Let Me Have It All".{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/my-turn-mw0001963572|title=My Turn – Kirk Fletcher – Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} The album also contained Kirk's first recorded vocal performance. From that point onward, Fletcher was able to front his own band on tours, and undertake some international tours, both as a member of [The Mannish Boys](/source/The_Mannish_Boys) and as lead guitarist for the Italian musician [Eros Ramazzotti](/source/Eros_Ramazzotti).{{cite web|url=https://holdmyticket.com/event/228691|title=JOSH SMITH & KIRK FLETCHER with special guest, The Nouveaux @ Terra Fermata Stuart, Florida|website=Holdmyticket.com|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} In 2014, Fletcher self-released the live collection, ''Burning Blues (Live at the Baked Potato)''.{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesenthused.com/2014/12/kirk-fletcher-burning-blues-live-at.html|title=Kirk Fletcher, 'Burning Blues – Live at the Baked Potato'|first=Iain|last=Cameron|website=Bluesenthused.com|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} ''[Live at the Greek Theater](/source/Live_at_the_Greek_Theatre_(Joe_Bonamassa_album))'' (2016) was filmed and recorded during [Joe Bonamassa](/source/Joe_Bonamassa)'s "Three Kings Tour" in 2015, which culminated at the [Greek Theatre](/source/Greek_Theatre_(Los_Angeles)) in Los Angeles. The backing ensemble comprised Fletcher (rhythm guitar), [Anton Fig](/source/Anton_Fig) (drums), [Michael Rhodes](/source/Michael_Rhodes_(musician)) (bass), [Reese Wynans](/source/Reese_Wynans) (piano, Hammond organ), Lee Thornburg (trumpet, horn arrangements), Paulie Cerra (saxophone), Nick Lane (trombone), and backing singers [Mahalia Barnes](/source/Mahalia_Barnes), [Jade MacRae](/source/Jade_MacRae), and Juanita Tippins.{{cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/joe-bonamassas-live-at-the-greek-theatre-debuts-at-1-again-300338305.html|title=Joe Bonamassa's "Live at the Greek Theatre" Debuts at No. 1 Again!|agency=PR Newswire|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} In 2018, Fletcher recorded a video with Josh Smith and Joe Bonamassa, performing the [Albert King](/source/Albert_King) track "[Crosscut Saw](/source/Crosscut_Saw_(song))".{{cite web|url=https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/2018/08/17/video-of-the-week-josh-smith-kirk-fletcher-joe-bonamassa-crosscut-saw/|title=Video of the Week: Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Joe Bonamassa "Crosscut Saw"|first=Martine|last=Ehrenclou|website=Rockandbluesmuse.com|date=August 18, 2018|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} Fletcher's album, ''Hold On'', was released in October 2018. It reached number 12 in the ''Living Blues'' radio chart, and entered at number 15 in the ''Billboard'' Blues Albums chart. It was nominated in 2019 for a Blues Music Award in the 'Contemporary Blues Album' category. ==Discography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year || Title || Record label |- | 1999 || ''I'm Here & I'm Gone'' || style="text-align:center;"|[JSP Records](/source/JSP_Records) |- | 2003 || ''Shades of Blue'' || style="text-align:center;"|[CrossCut Records](/source/CrossCut_Records) / [Delta Groove Productions](/source/Delta_Groove_Productions) |- | 2010 || ''My Turn'' || style="text-align:center;" |[Eclecto Groove Records](/source/Delta_Groove_Productions) |- | 2014 || ''Burning Blues (Live at the Baked Potato)''|| style="text-align:center;"|Self-released (live album) |- | 2018 || ''Hold On''|| style="text-align:center;"|Self-released |- | 2020 || ''My Blues Pathway''|| style="text-align:center;"|[Cleopatra Records](/source/Cleopatra_Records) / Cleopatra Blues |- | 2022 || ''Heartache By The Pound''|| style="text-align:center;"|Ogierea Records |- | 2025 || ''Keep On Pushing''|| style="text-align:center;"|VizzTone |- |}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kirk-fletcher-mn0000097626|title=Kirk Fletcher – Album Discography|website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} ==Selected other recordings== *1999: ''The Henry Gray/Bob Corritore Sessions, Vol. 1: Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest'' : [Bob Corritore](/source/Bob_Corritore) / [Henry Gray](/source/Henry_Gray_(musician)) : Guitar *2000: ''World Wide Wood'' : [Lynwood Slim](/source/Lynwood_Slim) : Guitar *2001: ''Smokin' Joint'' : [Kim Wilson](/source/Kim_Wilson) : Guitar *2003: ''Lonesome Moon Trance'' : [James Harman](/source/James_Harman) : Guitar *2004: ''That Represent Man'' : [The Mannish Boys](/source/The_Mannish_Boys) : Guitar *2005: ''[Painted On](/source/Painted_On)'' : [The Fabulous Thunderbirds](/source/The_Fabulous_Thunderbirds) : Guitars *2006: ''Last Call'' : [Lynwood Slim](/source/Lynwood_Slim) : Guitar, Vocals (Background) *2007: ''Big Plans'' : [The Mannish Boys](/source/The_Mannish_Boys) : Guitar *2009: ''Simple Things'' : [Chantelle Barry](/source/Chantelle_Barry) : Guitar (Electric) *2010: ''Live on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise'' : [Joe Louis Walker](/source/Joe_Louis_Walker) : Guitar, Featured Artist *2010: ''Shake for Me'' : [The Mannish Boys](/source/The_Mannish_Boys) : Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm) *2012: ''Longtime Friends in the Blues'' : [Bob Corritore](/source/Bob_Corritore) / [Tail Dragger Jones](/source/Tail_Dragger_Jones) : Guitar *2012: ''Double Dynamite'' : [The Mannish Boys](/source/The_Mannish_Boys) : Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm) *2012: ''Close to the Bone: Unplugged'' : [Bnois King](/source/Bnois_King) / [Smokin' Joe Kubek](/source/Smokin'_Joe_Kubek) : Guitar (Acoustic) *2013: ''Shiver and Sigh'' : [Kara Grainger](/source/Kara_Grainger) : Guitar (Rhythm) *2014: ''Wrapped Up and Ready'' : [The Mannish Boys](/source/The_Mannish_Boys) : Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Soloist *2015: ''Bonetime'' : [James Harman](/source/James_Harman) : Guitar *2015: ''Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks'' : [Joe Bonamassa](/source/Joe_Bonamassa) : Guitar *2016: ''[Live at the Greek Theater](/source/Live_at_the_Greek_Theatre_(Joe_Bonamassa_album))'' : [Joe Bonamassa](/source/Joe_Bonamassa) : Guitar (Rhythm) *2016: ''Hard Times, Bad Decisions'' : [Lisa Mann](/source/Lisa_Mann) : Featured Artist, Guitar *2016: ''Near Life Experience'' : [Scott Kinsey](/source/Scott_Kinsey) : Guitar{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kirk-fletcher-mn0000097626/credits|title=Kirk Fletcher – Credits|website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|accessdate=February 19, 2019}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://kirkfletcherband.com/ Official website] *[https://www.billboard.com/artist/1520668/kirk-fletcher/biography ''Billboard'' listing] *[https://www.discogs.com/artist/2720483-Kirk-Fletcher Discogs discography] {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Fletcher, Kirk}} Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:American blues guitarists Category:American male guitarists Category:Guitarists from California Category:American blues singers Category:Singers from California Category:Electric blues musicians Category:Songwriters from California Category:People from Bellflower, California Category:21st-century American guitarists Category:African-American guitarists Category:African-American male songwriters Category:21st-century African-American male singers Category:21st-century American male singers --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kirk Fletcher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Fletcher) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Fletcher?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.