“She’s A Runner” is the first single off of singer-songwriter Kenny Fame’s upcoming album release “Soul Of A Man”; which from start to finish, shows several genuine musical qualities. Catchy hooks and melodies, deep yet playful lyrics, gritty vocal delivery, and all topped off with unflinching emotion that shows no sign of trepidation. With the release of this album Kenny Fame has positioned himself perfectly to evolve with style and grace.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Kenny Fame: I grew up in NJ and NYC; but I also spent time growing up in Minneapolis. I didn’t decide to become an artist; art chose me. I have been performing the whole of my life; and auditioning my entire life; everything from singing, dancing, poetry, acting, etc…
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Kenny Fame: Kenny is my family name and “Fame” is what I wanted; I was also a big fan of the movie “Fame”; I was that kid dancing on top of cafeteria tables and dancing in streets as a teenager. I was a real club kid in my youth.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Kenny Fame: I think there is still lot to learn about online music sharing in general. I give music away but I find that people are most interested in FREE music when its music that’s trending; trying to give away free music when you’re under the radar is like trying to give away free no frills cereal; nobody really wants it. People want what’s popular. It’s not about FREE it’s about being plugged into the in crowd.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Kenny Fame: my best advice is to: research, research, research. I personally think that the bubble is going to burst soon as far as trend watching because at the end of the day music can’t only exist around whose popular now. There is a reason why David Bowie is revered today, or Prince, or Glen Frye, or Merle Haggard. They made great music. They studied their craft; and that last forever; even if it’s not popular now; because neither was Nina Simone or Chet Baker but now they’re both subject of motion films. I won’t do cover video’s to build my Youtube page because that’s not what I want to be famous for. I want to be famous for my music.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Kenny Fame: I’m a perfectionist so nothing is ever going to be good enough but as far as handling obvious mistakes, I just never stop doing what I’m doing. When you look like you’ve made a mistake that’s when it becomes a mistake. I only I know what I wanted to do; so I never let my face fell me. I remember being a teenaged model and having to walk the runway in shoes that didn’t fit; two sizes too small. In art you must suffer for the sake there of; and if you’re not willing to, you may not be an artist; what you be is an admirer.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Kenny Fame: No I haven’t toured. I would love to but in spite of my dedication, I haven’t been given the chance to tour; it’s just the reality of the business; do an agent, booker, manager or another artist believe in you enough as an artist to offer you a spot on a tour; and that usually is decided based on your traction or numbers (popularity).
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Kenny Fame: I’m a natural writer. I don’t have to think about it. There is always a song in my head; or a play, or a screenplay, or a poem. I had a 4.0 gpa in college as an English Major (Creative Writing). I was a writing protégé. Sometimes I wish that it didn’t coming so natural because then I might fit into this current world of everybody sounding the same. I honestly feel as if there’s a backlash these days against natural artist in lieu of jumping on bandwagons.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Kenny Fame: I share music everywhere I can: Twitter, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Tumblr, etc….
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Kenny Fame: I only listen to classics (which is not embarrassing): Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Chicago, The Jacksons, etc… I’m currently reassessing the Beach Boys “Pet Sounds”; music nowadays don’t really inspire me because they all sounds the same.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Kenny Fame: I would develop one of the plays I haven’t put enough time into, or focus into or maybe a film short idea that I began developing in college. The best think about music is that it’s more portable than any other form of art; you can just take it anywhere; as oppose to movie or plays which need more time; or even a novel idea that needs at least a year off to develop.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Kenny Fame: I’ve always worked with pretty much the same studios. I rather deal with people that know me and my voice, so that I can get the best recorded sound out of my voice. It took me a long while to get comfortable singing because I grew up singing on a church choir, where there is always going to be a better voice than your own. It didn’t bother me as a young kid when I started singing as a soloist because my voice hadn’t changed; but when it did (awkward years). You kind of give up on the idea of being the best vocalist once you go to sing at the church of Whitney Houston’s family in Est Orange, New Jersey, where her Whitney’s mother Cissy is the choir conductor, and those voices are amazing. When you’re raised as a choir singer you just focus on always giving your own personal best.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Kenny Fame: In all honesty I haven’t really found a best way; I’m still learning.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Kenny Fame: I would perform with Madonna at Live Aide; why because she once hired me when I was a teenager; but then fired me soon after. I want to perform with her again to prove to her that she was wrong.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Kenny Fame: I never stop writing or recording, so writing and recording is always next on my agenda.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Kenny Fame: I love art and if I were not an artist I would be an art teacher, so that I can reteach children today how to appreciate art.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Kenny Fame: My uncle was a DJ and we grew up together; he was ten years older than me but he lived next door with my grandmother so I was at my grandmother’s house every single day. I grew up listening to nothing but albums and records; but I guess the first record that meant anything to me was Madonna’s “Like A Prayer”, and to this day I think that “Like A Prayer” is my favorite song ever written. It’s just a brilliant pop masterpiece. I grew up in Catholic school and the naughty and nice about the songwriting was awe-inspiring. The slow build up from the verse to the chorus, continues to intrigue me as a writer; but that middle eight is absolutely everything. That choir. Niki Harris singing in the background rising above Andre Crouch choir; that song is pure church; yet pop. I love the songwriting genius of Patrick Leonard. He is definitely someone I would love to sit down with and have a drink of coffee with.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Kenny Fame: I am in constant retrograde. Hopefully one day I will pull it all together.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Kenny Fame: Anybody that has supported my career can expect for me to continue giving my best.
Website: http://kennyfamemusic.reverbnation.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheKennyFame
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeviMusicHD
Twitter: https://twitter.com/1KFame
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/kennyfamemusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ken-catoe