Isaac Kenneth entertains residents at The Gardens

BY AMANNDA G. MAPHIES, Freelance Writer

Isaac Kenneth has made a name for himself in the heart of the Ozarks. This local country crooner plays at all the hot spots in Springfield, Branson, and is expanding his tour schedule to include Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Connecticut and Gulf Shores. While Kenneth has the looks, talent and drive to rock nearly any venue of his choice, he remains humble to his roots and shares a special part of his talent, and heart, with the elderly at long-term care facilities in Springfield, MO.

An Iowa native, Kenneth knew singing was a gift he wanted to pursue at age twelve. He grew up singing in church with his sisters. As one of nine children, he found himself singing solo one Sunday morning. The rest is history, as he was struck with a love for music, writing and performing that continues to unfold with each new audience for which he performs.

Kenneth moved to Missouri at the age of eight. Early music influences were Randy Travis, George Straight, Josh Turner and Johnny Cash. He adheres to bluegrass gospel and country western, which the residents love.

Kenneth recalls his earliest performances with his church youth group, who visited nursing homes, which delighted the residents. He started by visiting Webco Manor in Marshfield, Missouri, one Sunday a month to sing old-fashioned hymns and gospel music. The reaction was so positive, he started visiting more long-term care facilities on his own. One might say in his spare time, he has a rotating list of care facilities he frequents, all for the love of music and those that likely enjoy it the most.

“I love old songs and the clientele at the care facilities do as well. It takes them back to a special time in their life, and I feel blessed to witness their reaction to those memories.” He went on to share, “What I get to do is truly therapeutic. Some of the residents don’t show as many signs of life. Yet, when I start playing music, their faces light up. Music unlocks parts of their memory that no other experience can.” Kenneth leaves the stage uplifted and the residents have the time of their lives.

Kenneth has been a staple for country music for nearly 13 years and has continued to expand his performance footprint. He never set out to make it in Nashville like traditional artists. He simply wanted to define his own success in the business by his unique standards. While this is likely not the pinnacle for Kenneth, he has far surpassed how many local musicians would define success. His biggest achievement is creating a career doing what he loves full-time in his own neck of the woods. “I am grateful for the opportunity to make art with friends and neighbors in the Ozarks.”

“I feel blessed to choose what I want in life. My music is sustainable, and I don’t have to be away from family and friends for months at a time. The consistent pace has worked in my favor,” shares Kenneth.

While Kenneth covers a large array of legendary covers, he prefers to play his own music. Many of his tracks were inspired by listening to the work of early influencers. He is an avid Elvis fan, and loves Dolly, both of which are huge hits with the residents he visits. It is no surprise that if he could have coffee or beer with anyone, living or dead, it would be Elvis or Dolly…preferably both!

To those young and hungry artists that wish to make a living at their craft, Kenneth shared a piece of advice. “The starving artist cliché is overrated. Don’t be too cool to work a regular job while getting your music off the ground. There is no substitute for hard work and professional consistency in reaching toward your dreams. Consistency is rocket fuel,” says Kenneth. “People want to know musicians are real, to feel a unique human imprint when they see them perform.”

Kenneth’s performances in long-term care facilities continue to expand. “It’s getting hard to keep the schedule straight in my head. I love the recurring fourth Fridays at The Gardens; they are such a fun and interactive crowd,” shares Kenneth.

Kenneth recalls a personal interchange with a female resident at The Bungalows West at Chesterfield Village. “My life feels like it has been emptied out recently, and you filled it back up for a few minutes with your music.” No amount of money, notoriety or talent can match the authenticity of such deep appreciation. This is just a drop in the bucket of positive comments received from his self-proclaimed biggest fans in residential facilities.

“I want to thank my fans for supporting local venues and artists.” Kenneth has found a way to bridge the gap. “Bringing generations together is important for society. Music is the best way to bring the young and old together to impede a segmented society which goes against the grain of true community,” says Kenneth.

Kenneth released his first album, “Autograph.” He will perform at State of the Ozarks Festival on September 12 in Hollister, MO, at 2 p.m. For more, visit Isaac Kenneth on Facebook or email isaackennethmusic@gmail.com.