About Ken

The Ken Spivey Band brings a little taste of the Renaissance Faire to any event! The Ken Spivey Band consistently delivers memorable, crowd pleasing performances. They artfully combines catchy original and traditional celtic and Doctor Who themed music with a unique, contagiously fun stage presence and off-the-cuff humor.

In 1998, Ken Spivey became the lead singer and lead guitar player for the unconventional rock band, Just Cause. After much air play in Florida, a small national tour, and two albums, Just Cause broke up in 2003. In the summer of that year, Ken began writing music while studying abroad in Ireland which led him to come home and record his first solo album, the “Time Can Be So Cruel EP.” He then toured the southeast opening for local giants, The Human Echo and Harry Dash, in the summer of 2004. When Ken returned, he started his second band, Ken Spivey & The Faders.

In 2005 Ken began working with another singer/songwriter and started an acoustic duo which led to the release of his next album. The remaining members of The Faders joined with this new duo and became The Ken Spivey Band, a Bob Dylan-esque six piece band which performed around Florida until they disbanded in 2007, shortly after recording their first full band album.

By drumming for several belly dance troupes, Ken was introduced to the idea of the Renaissance faire. In late 2008, Ken Spivey played his first faire. By the end of 2009, he had released his next album consisting of traditional and original Celtic music in response to the overwhelmingly positive response to his entree into the Renaissance faire world. With his father, Ken began the well received music and comedy act called The Ken Spivey Music Band. In the same year, Ken began working with local celebrity musician, Randy “Peter Pan” Constan, helping the emerald green manchild find a new voice for his music and message. In 2010, Ken expanded his Renaissance act into the science fiction/fantasy world by performing at various conventions in Florida and Georgia with original music based on the long running, British science fiction series, “Doctor Who.”

After love dealt him a losing hand in the spring of 2010, his songwriter’s block ended as Ken went into his attic and uncovered his electric guitar. Ken decided it was time to go back to his rock roots and, armed only with heart break and a distortion pedal, began writing the music which helped lead his latest batch of pop-rock break up songs.

Ken Spivey’s musical influences include the following artists: The Rentals, Imperial Teen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Al Stewart, The Alan Parsons Project, Tom Petty, Squeeze, and Talking Heads.

“It was a pleasure to work with the Ken Spivey Band at TimeGate this year.  They were consummate professionals, very courteous, and the show they performed was outstanding.  They drew a large audience and kept them entertained for a solid hour, singing clever songs and getting the audience members involved.  I look forward to working with them again in the future!”

Alan Siler, Vice President TimeGate Convention http://www.timegatecon.org/

 

“The Ken Spivey Band is an excellent addition to a full entertainment line-up or on there own. The Ken Spivey Band is a high energy musical group that keeps you interested, and before you know it, you’re singing along. We received very positive feedback from our patrons, and we are excited to work with the Ken Spivey Band for many years to come”

Jeremy Croteau, Executive Producer, Sarasota Medieval Fair, Inc

 

“Ken Spivey is the cat’s pajamas. Not only does he have awesome stage presence, but his music will stick with you like sweet caramel sticks in your teeth, leaving a delicious memory for your brain to keep tasting for many nights to come”

Orianna Kurrus, Fashion Designer/Artist

 

“Good, old fashioned pub rock…”

John Ferguson, Empire Nightclub (Ybor City)

 

“‘I’m like a guy you talk to at the end of the bar who tells you about all his bad relationships. Only I have a guitar.”

TBT interview with Ken

Donald Kenneth

Donald Kenneth’s professional music career began with weekly performances of Beatles covers in teen centers. In high school, he played guitar, bass, keyboards, and sang lead vocals in his own bands. He opened for or backed up scores of hit makers, including the founder of the Outlaws, the Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, Strawberry Alarm Clock,? and the Mysterions, the Troggs, the James Gang, Rick Derringer and the McCoys, Bobby Womac, the Buckinghams, the Night Crawlers, the Royal Guardsmen, the Standells, Shades of Blue, teen heart throb Bobby Sherman and many more. After hearing his opening act, Grammy Winner Bobby Goldsboro even plugged Donald Kenneth’s band, on the Joey Bishop Show. During college, he supported himself by performing six nights a week at an Irish themed restaurant. He also found time to open for such groups as Golden Earring and guitar legend Robin Trower before crowds of thousands. After college, he played “snob rock” on the country club circuit and country music on the “animal circuit” (i.e. Elks, Moose, etc.). During the first part of the past decade, he performed with and directed the inspirational rock band, “Just Cause,” with his son. Born with a poet’s heart, Donald Kenneth has written over 50 songs to date. An avid Whovian, Sir Donald now writes and performs crowd pleasing Celtic Gallifreyan music.