“Like many people, Kevin Wood found his calling when he was a senior in high school. "I started writing songs when I was 18," he remembers. His fist song was "My Soul,""and it was kind of an accident. I was at an orchestra camp, and they said that anyone who writes their own song could perform it at the final concert. I was playing French Horn, and I wasn't going to write anything for that. I wrote 'My Soul' on the piano, performed it, and everyone really loved it. I thought it was really cheesy and stupid, but people really enjoyed it. The feedback I got made me realize that I wanted to keep doing it. Ever since, I've been writing songs."
That song at camp led Wood to become a working musician in 2002, releasing his first CD, Haven't Had Enough, and join a touring productioin of the musical RENT. "I literally got the CD in my hand the day I packed up to go on tour, so that was pretty intense. I moved out to L.A. after that and pursued making a living as a performing singer/songwriter," says Wood. " I moved out here with $100 - I just had to get out here. I knew that something good would happen, and I've been performing around the area for the last three years."
Wood says it's hard to categorize his music because he draws his influences from many genres. "I feel like I fit pop, adult contemporary, a little bit of country, a little bit of folk, there's some rock in there and some jazz sometimes. It's difficult, because when people want to hear what genre you're in, they want a very cut and dry answer. For me, I feel that I just write what comes out," he says. Inspiration for his songs mostly comes from his everyday life. "I may have a crush on someone, and I write something that night about the kiss I just had, or it can be about a friend who just helped me out an dI want to be thankful."
Wood has never found being gay an obstacle to his career, and feels that the rise of same sex love songs is a healthy sign. " I think radio's ready for boy loves boy, girl loves boy or girl loves girl songs - anything - I just thing it's time for that," he says. " With groups like Scissor Sisters, we're starting to see some bravery with some record labels. On my new CD, Finding Me, I have a song called 'Stand Firm,' which is about realizing who you are and that it's not the easiest of lives to be comfortable with yourself and be out. I'm proud of that song - it's real important to me."
Kevin Wood will be playing at the San Diego Indie Fest on March 3; The Library Coffeehouse on March 10, April 4 and May 18; and with Men Alive, the Orange County Gay Men's Chorus on March 24. For more information, go to www.SeeKevSing.com”

- Joseph S. Amster - IN Los Angeles Magazine, Los Angeles, CA