Pete Kitchen

SINGER / SONGWRITER / STORYTELLER

Email:peter.kitchen@dsl.pipex.com Available for gigs and things - have guitar will travel Web pages: www.myspace.com/peterwkitchen www.isound.com/pete_kitchen www.deepwaterministries.co.uk

BIOGRAPH
I was born, and grew up, in Durban, South Africa in 1952. The 1st tune I ever picked out on a guitar was in 1963 - 'Satisfaction (can't get no)' by the Rolling Stones. Gives you an idea of the style of early music I listened to but you wouldn't say it had much influence over my musical direction given my penchant for all things 'folk' in the '70s.
From 1971-1976 I played in folk clubs with my brother Syd (check out his web site on http://www.sydkitchen.com - he's developed into an Urban legend in South Africa in recent years and plays a mean jazz guitar and hose pipe) and harmonica player Marc Maingard on http://www.guitarsafrica.co.za (he's now a world renowned Luthier based in Cape Town). Towards the latter part of that period, we were joined by an incredible cellist, Rob Larsen and the band Kitchen was formed. We toured much of South Africa doing the 'Folk festivals' and clubs but were never able to secure that elusive record deal that most of us had dreamed of at some stage or another.
Then followed ten years in the musical wilderness for me as I had pretty much laid down the instrument after getting married. June gave birth to our 2 great kids (a pigeon pair) and we stumbled into suburbia with all the illusions, smoke and mirrors that accompanied.
In July 1987 I got arrested, tried and found guilty. At the trial, the judge's son stepped forward and paid the fine for me so I was released - how about that! Seriously, I got born again and the long road back to affirmation of God's gifting of my music began.
We sold up everything in March 2002 and I moved to England to look for work and pursue the call of God to this country. June joined me 3 months later, my son came over in the October and my daughter arrived with her fiancé in the following February. An incredible 11 months of tears, intercession, regret, doubt, exhilaration ended with our re-uniting as a family - even if only for the next 2 years. June, Michael and I had come and have stayed the course and, though we miss our daughter terribly at times (Leigh returned with her husband Stephan to South Africa and are pursuing their own calling), we know that we know that God has placed us in this part of the garden and must grow in all the grace He has given us.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
I began playing in folk clubs again (acoustic venues) in January this year after a break of some 21 years. All that time, I had laboured under the misapprehension that my Christianity was incompatible with folk music - God forgive me for being so exclusive! I think the church has spent too much of its time trying to get people INTO buildings rather than the life of God out to where they spend their time. As long as the package we deliver to people looking for answers has a strong carrier (music) and is relevant, they are prepared to give you the time of day.
I recently recorded a number of songs with Nick Irving of The Wolf Folk Club - who also played mandolin, bass and fiddle on Red Mulberry wine - and am mixing them down ready to produce my first CD, Unveiled which will be available for sale in the Summer.
FORTHCOMING PLANS
Apart from playing various venues around Norfolk (as many other musicians and singers are doing), I am looking forward to playing the 250th George Vancouver anniversary celebrations in King's Lynn on 23rd and 24th June this year. Later in the year, I will be looking at venturing further afield to play at clubs in Cambs, Yorkshire, Cheshire and wherever else I can find.
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