“Finally, I went to the artisans, for I knew very well that I possessed no knowledge at all worth speaking of, and I was sure that I should find that they knew many fine things. And in that I was not mistaken. They knew what I did not know, and so far they were wiser than I. But, Athenians, it seemed to me that the skilled artisans had the same failing as the poets. Each of them believed himself to be extremely wise in matters of the greatest importance because he was skillful in his own art: and this presumption of theirs obscured their real wisdom. So I asked myself, on behalf of the oracle, whether I would choose to remain as I was, without either their wisdom or their ignorance, or to possess both, as they did. And I answered to myself and to the oracle that it was better for me to remain as I was.

“From this examination, Athenians, has arisen much fierce and bitter indignation, and as a result a great many prejudices about me. People say that I am ‘a wise man.’ For the bystanders always think that I am wise myself in any matter wherein I refute another. But, gentlemen, I believe that the god is really wise, and that by this oracle he meant that human wisdom is worth little or nothing. I do not think that he meant that Socrates was wise. He only made use of my name, and took me as an example, as though he would say to men, ‘He among you is the wisest who, like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is really worth nothing at all.’”

- Socrates speaking to the jury in Plato’s The Apology

Even though Kevin’s EP Ready, Set, Become… was released digitally almost a year ago, it will soon be available in compact disc format! The CDs will be packaged just like the old vinyl 45′s used to be, a fitting design given the nostalgic tone of the project, which features six original songs written for various members of Kevin’s family. A touching [and at times humorous] collage of memories, the songs were all written between the Summer of 2003 and the Fall of 2010.

Ready, Set, Become… is currently available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, Bandcamp.com, and a variety of other digital media outlets. The CDs will be available soon in the Store here on KevinHeider.com. We’ll be sure to let you know when they’re ready!

On a recent trip down south, Kevin put on a concert for the students at an elementary school in Jennings, a small Louisiana town of about 12,000 people. While he was getting his piano and microphone(s) set up, a class of kindergartners were off in the corner drawing pictures with crayons. One of said kindergartners, a talented young artist named Vincent, drew a picture of Kevin warming up on the piano prior to the concert. When asked why he drew the picture of Kevin sound-checking, Vincent said: “Because he looks like my friend.” Between the kindness of his hosts, making new friends, playing a fun house show, performing for the school kids, visiting the Zigler Art Museum, receiving Vincent’s inspired gift, and a 7th grader named Cameron requesting an autograph on a ripped piece of Scantron test paper, Kevin enjoyed every moment of his time spent in Jennings.

Artist: Vincent
Class: Kindergarten
Medium: Paper….and a green crayon
Style: Impressionist (or whatever)
Value: $Priceless

*Click on the picture to see a full-size image of what may well be Vincent’s finest work to date! And yes, that is his very own signature at the bottom.

Love Come Alive

The Love Come Alive track list is:

1. Traffic Light by Chris Cole
2. Perfect by Colleen Nixon
3. Love Come Alive by Kevin Heider
4. Share Some Love by Meg Murray
5. Color of Blue by Luke Bellet
6. Silly Little Boy by Haylee Mitchell
7. Irish Girl / I’ll Fly Away by Chris Cole
8. Little Child, Don’t Cry by Kevin Heider
9. You Wouldn’t Mind by Colleen Nixon
10. Checks and Balances by Burke Ingraffia
11. Love Come Alive by Haylee Mitchell
12. The Salzburg Revolution [Bonus Track] by Kevin Heider

While these artists frequently perform solo or acoustic sets, each was backed by the merriest and most talented of minstrels (i.e. a full band) Music City had to offer for this unique concert event. Produced and released by Mysterium Records, the live album will be available starting February 28th and will feature three live tracks from Kevin:

(1) The Salzburg Revolution
(2) Little Child, Don’t Cry
(3) Love Come Alive*

*an original song by Kevin Heider, written just for this concert event

Within the next week, Kevin will be performing in two shows as part of The 9 Songwriter Series:

1.25.12 – Baltimore, MD @ The Metro Gallery (event details)
1.30.12 – Annapolis, MD @ 49 West (event details)

Founded in 2008 by singer-songwriter Justin Trawick, The 9 Songwriter Series is a touring live music showcase based in Washington, DC. Each installment features nine solo singer-songwriters performing in rotation, providing audiences with a rich, intimate, varied listening experience.

These will be Kevin’s first shows with The 9, but hopefully they’ll be but the first of many. Here’s a recent interview with Trawick about the series. If you’re in the Baltimore or Annapolis areas on either of these dates, come support talented local artists while enjoying a great night of new, original music!