Chocky Kay

Artist Information

Biography

Interviewed by WWW.BOOMEROCITY.COM along with monster celebrities, such as Ringo Starr's All Star Band!, Chuck Leavell (keyboardist for the Rolling Stones!), Peter Noone, Ted Nugent, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, Leslie West (Mountain- "Miississippi Queen"), BJ Thomas, Rob Parisi (Play That Funky Music...), Barry Maguire, Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and the Raiders), David Cassidy, Dave Getz, Gary Wright (Dreamweaver), Andy Timmons (Steve Vai called him "...greatest rock guitarist on the planet"!), Tommy James, Davy Jones, Bebe Beule (Liv Tyler's mother), Paula Morrison (Jim Morrison's wife), and numerous other monster artists/celebrities)!!!

Plays all Instruments on his CD's: SEEMS HE CAN PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT HE PICKS UP AND IT SEEMS HE CAN PLAY ANY STYLE OF MUSIC ON VINYL!!!

"RUNNER", from his 1st CD, SOLE INTENTION, was selected for use by NBC's Universal Sports Network, which reaches over 50 million homes!!! (www.universalsports.com)...

NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW HE PLAYS, "THE DANCE" & "THE BRIDE"! (Even if you don't like the style of music these are written in...you won't be able to figure out how he does it...Betcha! See the "Audio portion").

"Chick'n Lick'n: A Bohemian Rap-City" used in Tom Green's new Major Motion Picture, "SHRED"! Now on DVD! Check the "Soundtrack" on Imdb. URL is: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1031275/soundtrack

CD's available for "Ringtones" and "Music" through VerizonWireless!!! Check your own carrier, as well.

When a local Boulder DJ saw the comment on the statement about "...The Eagles...", he told Chocky, "Classic rock isn't appropriate for a modern rock station". This proves only one thing...he NEVER LISTENED to any of Chocky's music! Chocky's FAR from classic rock. Take a listen to "THE PROMISE". Very few women can sing that high. Also, Al Lambert (American Idol) is using a style of singing very, very high that Chocky's been using for decades.

Two songs from "Elegant Fury" won Honorable Mention, in the "Top 1500" WorldWide, in Billboard's WORLDWIDE Song Contest, 2008!

New Artist Radio's Hall of Famer- Inducted 8/4/2006 in Nashville! Nominated NAR 2004 Rock Musician of the Year.
Voted 2003 NAR Rock Artist of the Year!
2002 Rock Song of the Year!
Has had Four Number 1 Hits on New Artist Radio, which include "Runner", "Out of Place", "Kyd Wok", and "Closer To Your Side".
"Chick'n Lick'n: A Bohemian Rap-City" was used in a segment on the Vacation Channel.

Video, “Lightning Fingers” documents practice sessions for some of the songwriting of 1st CD and has now had over 455,000 views on MySpace. After watching the video, genius and writer of the "Pocket Jethro Tull", playwright of off-broadway musicals, James Bond and Tom Clancy novels said of him, "...you're the best guitarist I know, but you also might be the best guitarist alive!...and, I'm not kidding!!!"

"Elegant Fury" has made big waves. After only being released only one month, the title song, "Elegant Fury", reached "THE NUMBER 20 SPOT" on Clear Channel's nationwide websites. The competition includes artists from all across the country! "Elegant Fury" is STILL RISING!!! His CD, "The Song", was released followed by a 5th called "People, Places, and Things"...(songs he recorded and produced in 1992)!

Four songs given "Honorable Mention" at Billboard Annual Song Contest- "Fifth Avenue", "Latin Lady", "Games", and "Time After Time".

"Kyd Wok", from the CD, "Adria", was the #6 most requested song of the year for 2006 on John Anderson's "On the Horizon Radio Station" and was also featured on the "DR. DEMENTO RADIO SHOW"! After it aired, Jamie Rake from Patsy Moore's "Bohemian Aesthetic" Internet Magazine wrote an article about Chocky and the song! It's also received airplay from Indie 104- iRadio LA, Independent Traffic Jam, the Colorado Wave, Independent Nation, New Artist Radio, and numerous others, including standard land radio stations.

"The Song" is selling like hotcakes! It was on CD Universe's Platinum CD Collection with Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Beyonce', The Black Eyed Peas, and many more for over six months!

Live video of "Satch Boogie" by Joe Satriani made it on Guitar Center's "Best Guitar Videos" website right alongside Satch, himself and he did something no one else has done...he played the entire song without a pick!!! Comments poured in from guitarists the world over who couldn't believe ANYONE could play "Satch Boogie" without a pick! He was told that it couldn't be done, so he decided to prove them wrong, again, note for note! His fans and others were stunned (check www.chockykay.com).

He's now quit trying to prove he's better than everyone else. He's changed his method of songwriting from one of "GUITAR AND MORE GUITAR" to the realization that a song truly is, "...only as good as the vocals!" Now garnering praise for a sound all his own, built upon melodic vocals, backed by the same huge sound he molded for himself, and then colored with his edgy but beautiful guitar riffs.

The things which set his music apart are his dedication to melodic vocal lines, the use of pleasing, non-raspy vocals (Recall that Journey was told they would never make it in Rock because Steve Perry's voice was too pretty!), and uses two and three part harmonies in rock songs. This has almost become non-existent with the ubiquitous one-person front singers in rock!

Refuses to be boxed in by only one style, writing award winning new-age sounding songs like, "CLOSER TO YOUR SIDE", and an amazing country-sounding "chicken-pickin" tune called "CHICK'N LICK'N: A BOHEMIAN RAP-CITY which has been compared to the likes of Eric Johnson and Steve Morse.

He's written the orchestral arrangements for some of his songs. The reason he's been asked to play in various groups is his unique ability to feel at home playing anything from hard rock, blues, jazz, fusion, classic rock, country, and any other music you can dream up-he'll figure it out...he's grabbed an acoustic guitar and played many weddings, sending Kleenex Stock soaring! IF YOU NEED A GUITARIST WHO CAN PLAY IN ALMOST ANY GENRE, YOU'VE JUST FOUND HIM!

Plays any instrument he picks up. "THE SONG", is proving that he has a vastly greater base of talent than most ever thought him capable. With only these 5 CD's, he has now spanned more styles of music than almost any other singer, songwriter, or artist has had the courage to attempt. However, don't think that he doesn't understand or know his audience and what they want. He has merely proven that he can write, arrange, record, and produce almost any style of music.

Influences include Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Stevie Wonder, the Beatles, Joe Satriani, the Foo Fighters, Carlos Santana, Jean Luc Ponty, Jimi Hendrix, Jimi Jamison, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Phil Keaggy, Al DiMeola, Django Rheinhardt, Stefan Grapelli, Josh White, and many more.

Performs with groups, a backup CD, or alone with a guitar or keyboard.

*** One of his proudest musical achievements: His promotional poster/photo is on display at the International Museum of Peace & Solidarity in Uzbekistan along with dignitaries the world over. He was asked by the Director and Curator, Anatoly Ionesov, to submit a statement on world peace to be displayed along with his promo photo. Others displayed in the IMPS include Phil Collins, Crystal Gayle, Senator Edward Kennedy, two Nobel Laureates, the Prime Minister of Belgium, and many others. The URL is: http://www.civilsoc.org/nisorgs/uzbek/peacemsm.htm

Backed up or played venues with Iron Horse, DeGarmo & Key, Nancy Honeytree, Jamie Owens, Ernie Ashworth, Edie Foy, Rudy and Steve Gatlin (Gatlin Brothers Band), Donna Gatlin, Bill Wright Blues band, Chris Aaron, and many others. Formed the group "Aslan", with Bill Glover, Petra's original and incredible drummer. Petra, Bryan Duncan & Sweet Comfort (all Multi- Grammy & Multi-Dove Award Winners) have been guests in his home. He also did studio work on an album produced by Wayne Boosahda (Stephanie Boosahda's husband) along with Leon Russell's first producer in Sapulpa, OK. The producer was so impressed he offered Chocky a chance to stay as a studio musician, but Chocky was determined to become adept at engineering and producing his own CD's.

The bottom line:
Sam Kinsey, a San Antonio music promoter, once told Chocky, "I WANT TO BE THERE WHEN YOU HIT IT BIG!"

Instrumentation

Chocky Kay: On his CD's, he plays all instruments and sings all vocals. Guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, etc. Backs up himself with his self-produced studio CD's. Take a look at the video, "Lightning Fingers". It had over 455,000 views on MySpace!

Discography

1. "Sole Intention"- 1999. (Award winning songs listed)
Runner- (Hit #1 on NAR Top 40 & Voted 2002 NAR Rock Song of the Year)
Out of Place (Hit #1 on NAR Top 40)
2. "Adria"- 2005. "Kyd Wok" from this CD is getting great radio airplay! (Award winning songs listed)
Closer To Your Side (Hit #1 on NAR Top 40)
Kyd Wok (Hit #1 on NAR Top 40)
3. "Elegant Fury"- Released 12/5/2007.
"Elegant Fury", the title song is already #22
on Clear Channel's Online National unsigned
artists. Over 2,300 artists on the website.
4. "THE SONG"
copyright 2008. The change is dramatic and
amazing.
5. "People, Places, & Things"
(re-released- originally released in 1990).

Official Website

http://www.chockykay.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Chocky Kay's Main Website

Audio

• Elegant Fury
  Listen  
• Tracy
  Listen  
• The Monster
  Listen  
• The Promise
  Listen  
• The Mojo
  Listen  
• The Drive
  Listen  
• The Invincible
  Listen  
• The Dance
  Listen  
• The Bride
  Listen  
• Portrait of Kathy
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Elegant Fury
• Tracy (#1 selling song of all titles)
• The Monster
• The Promise
• The Mojo
• The Drive
• The Invincible
• The Dance

Video

Lightning Fingers

Photo Gallery

Press

• Interview On Boomerocity.com [+ Show ]
  

  ..."I was blown away what I saw and heard." ..."Kay is the consummate professional at everything he ......"I was blown away what I saw and heard." ..."Kay is the consummate professional at everything he pursues.  If you noodle around YouTube, you’ll see, as I did..." ..."I own four of Chocky’s five CD’s and each one of them are a special treat to listen.  Don’t ask me which one is my favorite because I wouldn't be able to pick one to tell you.  The only advise that I can give you is to purchase all five discs and see if you can pick a favorite."

• Rake On Music (Review by Jamie Rake) [+ Show ]
  

  "Amid eight other songs of adult romantic and societal longings and frustrations, in mature pop/rock..."Amid eight other songs of adult romantic and societal longings and frustrations, in mature pop/rock style with elements of blues, jazz and reggae, resides "Kyd Wok". If you can guess high-concept foolery when you see a song title, you already know that Dr. Kay, here, goes into a Japanese accent for a metal rap ditty about the owner of a sushi bar...Knowing he meant it in the silliest of fun...his more serious work could just find a place on adult contemporary radio."
  Jamie Rake- music columnist for the Bohemian Aesthetic...7/14/2006

• Reflections on the 2006 Awards Show.. [+ Show ]
  

  "...and another nice surprise, Chocky Kay! Chocky would later that night be inducted into the New Ar..."...and another nice surprise, Chocky Kay! Chocky would later that night be inducted into the New Artist Radio Hall of Fame. Those of you who catch the show remember Chocky from "Kyd Wok". If these were the only folks I had met, that would have been great. But, it didnt end there!"
  John Anderson- "On the Horizon Radio Show"

• Coupla Fat Guys Radio Show [+ Show ]
  

  "This is some of the best guitar work I've heard in years. This is a MUST HAVE CD for your collectio..."This is some of the best guitar work I've heard in years. This is a MUST HAVE CD for your collection!" (Referring to Chocky's first CD, "Sole Intention"). Mr. Grier listed "Sole Intention" as a must have CD for your collection along with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and other enormously successful CD's).

• Coupla Fat Guys Radio Show
  

  "..the greatest guitarist/doctor in the world!!!"

• Groups Make Videos at Eck's Saloon [+ Show ]
  

  After playing his set of original and cover songs including Joe Satriani's "Satch Boogie", backed up...After playing his set of original and cover songs including Joe Satriani's "Satch Boogie", backed up by the CD that he produced, Chocky Kay commented, "It's amazing that musicians have a venue where we can come and play, show off our talents, and get a video made as well. What's more, we don't even have to pay for this quality opportunity. Anywhere else, it would cost a fortune." It's unfortunate that more people don't know about what's going on here in Jefferson County. The crowd showed their appreciation loudly and loved the music. (Commenting on Dan Byars Productions who shot the videos of all the groups who came to play).
  Addendum/Note: The video productions have more recently been shot at Andolini's Sports Bar & Grill in Golden, CO and will be moved to another venue, soon.

• Jason Borseth
  

  "Really superb guitar work. I was very impressed. Keep on rock'n!!"...Jason Borseth- Sonic Foundry

• Jim Reeves [+ Show ]
  

  "You sound great! You're full of talent. I was very impressed! Playing and sound were easy to listen..."You sound great! You're full of talent. I was very impressed! Playing and sound were easy to listen to..."
  The legendary Jim Reeves (Has recorded everyone from Joe Cocker, to Mott the Hoople, ZZ Top, and recorded the first Dolby encoded album in history)
  (http://www.reevesaudio.com)

• Jimi Jamison- lead singer for Survivor (Eye of the Tiger- Rocky Movies)
  

  "Enjoyed your videos...you are a great player." Jimi Jamison 12/25/2006

• "Show Earns $1,300 For Children" [+ Show ]
  

  "Showcasing their talents at the UTHSCSA Talent Show are Chocky Kay...who gave a solo performance in..."Showcasing their talents at the UTHSCSA Talent Show are Chocky Kay...who gave a solo performance in addition to playing with The Arrhythmics, two-time talent show winners..."

• The Best Review Possible! [+ Show ]
  

  "Chocky Kay is probably the greatest guitarist in the world, today. His voice is absolutely beautifu..."Chocky Kay is probably the greatest guitarist in the world, today. His voice is absolutely beautiful."

Setlist

Originals (and covers, if needed): From 1 to 4 hours.

Basic Requirements

Calendar