Kevin So

About Kevin So

"The Amy Tan of the singer/songwriter world." -Recording Magazine

In over a decade of performing his music around the country, Kevin So has earned the respect of fellow musicians (Keb' Mo', Billy Bragg, Amos Lee), won over members of press and radio, and has built a loyal fan base across the US.

Born and raised in Boston, So channeled his early passion for singing into the start of a career in music with his appearance on the nationally broadcasted TV show "Big Break" hosted by Natalie Cole. In 1994, So toured the country in a cover band that would later see some of its members moving on to Britney Spears' band. It was during that period when Kevin spent a considerable amount of time listening to the early recordings of Bob Dylan.

By 1995, So quit the band and became a regular on the open-mic scene in Cambridge. His strong musicianship caught the attention of a Boston Globe critic who wrote that Kevin was "unusually talented." At the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, an Austin Chronicle columnist took notice, writing that So was "the big discovery." The sophomore release of So's "Individual" in 1997 was accompanied by sold-out shows at the legendary Club Passim. So moved to Chicago in 1999, booked his own gigs, performing shows in the Midwest and elsewhere. Busking in Austin the following year, Kevin was then discovered by The Agency Group.

Subsequently, he opened for Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg, and Robben Ford. In 2001, So moved back to Boston. Musically, he was shifting from folk to a more pop/r&b sound. The day after September 11, 2001, Kevin connected with popular bluesman Keb' Mo' and co-wrote "Talk," which Keb' would eventually record. So continued touring in 2002, becoming a favorite performer for several colleges and Asian American organizations across the US. The double-disc "Leaving The Lights On" appeared to an avalanche of praise in 2003 and throughout most of 2004, with some critics calling it "a masterpiece." Then, with two more CDs under his belt (The So Must Go On in 2005 and "A Brighter Day" in 2007), So toured at a vigorous clip.

In the summer of '07, Kevin was recipient of the "Overall Excellence Award" (Outstanding Music & Lyrics) for his work in "VICTOR WOO: THE AVERAGE ASIAN AMERICAN," a musical loosely based on his life. It debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival to packed houses. Kevin stayed on the road from 2007 throughout 2009, both as bandleader and as a solo act, opening for Keb' Mo' on several occasions. His highly acclaimed solo acoustic release "Best Foot Forward" is supported by concert dates this year.

More at: http://www.kevinso.com