Kirby Heyborne

If you're not a fan yet, you will be!!
Kirby Heyborne has received critical acclaim for his starring roles in the award-winning World War Two drama “Saints and Soldiers”, the lighthearted family comedy “The R.M.”, and the award-winning quixotic comedy “Pirates of the Great Salt Lake.” He has had starring roles in twelve features and three short flms. Kirby has also appeared on the WB’s “Everwood” and many national commercials. Recently, Kirby was seen as a recurring character on the hit FOX sitcom “Free Ride.”

When he is not flming, Kirby directs and performs with his improv comedy troupe, The Society. He has read many books for Random House Books on Tape including “The Young Man and the Sea” by Rodman Philbrick, “Learning to Sing” by Clay Aiken, and “Black Swan Green” by David Mitchell. As an audio book narrator, Kirby has received Audio File Magazine’s Earphone award for excellence in narration.

As a musician - Kirby Heyborne is a rare performer who brings an honest palpable vulnerability to his Folk Rock/Pop music. His warm voice and intricate guitar color his well received albums “Inside” and “Braver Days.” His intimate work on his Christmas album, “Merry White Tree in the Night,” has garnered the highest praise from critics and fans alike.

The seeds for Kirby’s ability to blend catchy hooks with heartfelt melodies and lyrics were planted when he began to teach himself guitar at the age of 15. “I learned to play guitar from a Best of The Beatles Songbook,” Heyborne remembers. “I was heavy into the contemporary folk scene following storytelling masters like David Wilcox and John Gorka. And at the same time I was learning to play hook-heavy Beatles tunes.”

“By the end of my 9th grade year, I was performing my original songs (along with plenty of Beatles covers) to groups of 40 to 50 people in my friend’s backyard. This became a frequent event for the rest of my high school experience.”

Heyborne recorded 3 albums during his high school years and continued to build a strong following. After graduating, he formed Bentleigh, an acoustic rock band. Helming the group, Heyborne brought Bentleigh to the forefront of the Intermountain music scene. During the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games, Bentleigh performed at many events, private parties, and opened for N’SYNC at the Olympic Medals Plaza.

Kirby has released four successful solo albums, performed across the country, and had songs featured in four flms. The release of his fourth album, “The Elm Tree,” March 31,
2009, is his “most compelling and best yet”, says producer Nathan DeVore. “His music is very Simon and Garfunkel-ie”.

Heyborne, now solo, is currently touring the country and enchanting audiences with his storytelling and intimate songs. He resides with his wife and 3 children in Los Angeles.

Kirby earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Utah and enjoys water and snow skiing, watching movies, writing songs, playing guitar, and spending time with his family.

Visit Kirby at kirbyheyborne.com

Life is made up of moments and every moment is a gift.

There are moments when we lose hope. We can only see the bare limbs of winter trees. We forget that there is life pulsing through the roots in the frozen ground. We feel like we can’t make it through another day. But somehow we find the strength. Something reminds us of the blossoms that come every spring. Sometimes it’s a friend or a family member who offers a hand of comfort. Other times we rely on our faith to get us through.

As I was working on this album (The Elm Tree) I read a favorite book of mine, “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein. It’s the story of a tree that loves a boy and gives everything to make the boy happy. I have always enjoyed the story but after my most recent reading I realized: I am the boy. I thought of people in my life who are the tree: my wife, my parents, a neighbor battling cancer, a young friend fighting in Afghanistan. They are strong, dependable, and giving. Even when there is nothing left to give, they continue to comfort, inspire and give me strength.

These songs are about moments of happiness, sorrow, courage, and hope.

This album (The Elm Tree) is for the trees in my life.