Bio
Kim Simpson is an independent musician, writer, and radio host based in Austin, Texas. He records singer-songwriter and solo fingerstyle guitar music, gigs around with his acoustic guitar and multilingual repertoire, and pumps out the occasional rock 'n' roll recording with side projects like the Mad Dukes and the Head Counts. He hosts The International Folk Bazaar (Thursdays at 11 AM) on Austin's KOOP-FM and Folkways on KUT 90.5 FM (every other Sunday at 2 PM).
Kim holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Texas and published his first book, Early '70s Radio: The American Format Revolution with Continuum in mid-2011. He's taught university courses in pop music, writes about it in publications like American Music, Pop Matters, and his own blog, Boneyard Media. He served as a consultant for the Peabody Award-winning rockabilly radio documentary Whole Lotta Shakin', and in 2009, the U.S. Embassy sent Kim to China where he toured as a performing speaker on American folk music.
A dual American/Finnish citizen, Kim grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he developed a strong following as a solo performer. Shortly after moving to Austin in the early '90s, Music City Texas (now 3rd Coast Music) referred to him as "one of the very best of the younger generation of singer- songwriters." Starting in the late '90s, Simpson took an extended break from music to finish his Ph.D. at UT.
In 2006, Kim dove back into music, recording the debut album of The Mad Dukes - his then-hypothetical group - by himself (The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You), after which he assembled a lineup for live appearances. The album received nationwide airplay on independent radio, with the single "Looking for That Girl" reaching no. 1 on the Los Angeles-based New Music Weekly "Hot AC" chart. The group was named the "AC New Group of 2006" by the publication, and the Austin Chronicle listed The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You as one of the year's notable local releases.
Always exploring his musical interests and abilities, Kim feeds his songwriting passion by maintaining a steady studio schedule and making a generous amount of what he does available on his website. He lives in Austin with his wife, two boys, and thirteen pets, and keeps on following the muse wherever it leads him.
Kim holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Texas and published his first book, Early '70s Radio: The American Format Revolution with Continuum in mid-2011. He's taught university courses in pop music, writes about it in publications like American Music, Pop Matters, and his own blog, Boneyard Media. He served as a consultant for the Peabody Award-winning rockabilly radio documentary Whole Lotta Shakin', and in 2009, the U.S. Embassy sent Kim to China where he toured as a performing speaker on American folk music.
A dual American/Finnish citizen, Kim grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he developed a strong following as a solo performer. Shortly after moving to Austin in the early '90s, Music City Texas (now 3rd Coast Music) referred to him as "one of the very best of the younger generation of singer- songwriters." Starting in the late '90s, Simpson took an extended break from music to finish his Ph.D. at UT.
In 2006, Kim dove back into music, recording the debut album of The Mad Dukes - his then-hypothetical group - by himself (The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You), after which he assembled a lineup for live appearances. The album received nationwide airplay on independent radio, with the single "Looking for That Girl" reaching no. 1 on the Los Angeles-based New Music Weekly "Hot AC" chart. The group was named the "AC New Group of 2006" by the publication, and the Austin Chronicle listed The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You as one of the year's notable local releases.
Always exploring his musical interests and abilities, Kim feeds his songwriting passion by maintaining a steady studio schedule and making a generous amount of what he does available on his website. He lives in Austin with his wife, two boys, and thirteen pets, and keeps on following the muse wherever it leads him.
Press "Strong songwriting with a sense of humor." —ADD Reviews "Tasteful and lively...Simpson plays his guitar with a touching and even-tempered style that is sure to make you smile." —Minor 7th "Kim Simpson is not just promising, he's already there ... Terrific acoustic guitar picking and a light, smooth voice ... One of the very best of the younger generation of singer-songwriters." —Music City Texas "Impeccable." —Austin Chronicle "Infectiously melodic." —NPR "High intensity acoustic guitar playing and brooding vocals ... Simpson achieves his own unique blend of poetry and power." —Dirty Linen "Get ready for the Mad Dukes. They are off and running and set to take over the music planet." —New Music Weekly "Kim Simpson takes the art of weaving lyrics and guitar to a different level." —College Times "His songs and performances consistently rank in the upper reaches of amazing." —Fade |
