Kurt Layton

Kurt Layton
bio

Kurt Layton is the epitome of “triple threat.” He is a singer, songwriter, and performer. He can play almost any instrument and can sing any style of music. Kurt’s diversity is obvious when you see him perform, and that has worked to his advantage to forge a sound - and style - uniquely his own. He has been in and out of bands since the age of 16. He has traveled great lengths chasing his love for music - performing all over the country - from tiny clubs throughout the Midwest, to the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York, and finally to Nashville.

Kurt grew up in Clearwater, Kansas, a small farming community near Wichita. He went to college on a baseball scholarship, then transferred to Kansas State University where he played the local clubs while pursuing a degree in Business Management. That is, until he decided to quit baseball, drop out of school, and give his music the attention he felt it deserved. Kurt took a summer job at Kansas City’s, Worlds of Fun theme park, performing 6 shows a day, 7 days a week, in a musical tribute to 50’s and 60’s rock and roll. From there, he started seriously pursuing his music career by moving to New York with a friend who had similar interests. They performed any place that would have them. The highlight of that time in his life was the night he received a standing ovation at the Apollo. But, even though he had laid a solid foundation for success in the New York music scene, he knew his talent would be better suited for Nashville.

After moving to Nashville in the late 90’s, Kurt again found success, as well as the differences in how Nashville operates. He quickly landed a spot in a showcase at the Ace of Clubs which was televised on TNN Country News. He was the “spotlight artist” in the broadcast, which included parts of his performance as well as a personal interview. He proceeded to pound the pavement, playing writer’s nights and doing everything he could think of to get a deal. He and his wife lived in Nashville until the birth of their first child. And, even though it was the toughest decision he ever made, he moved his family back to Kansas to re-focus his efforts.

Kurt continued writing, and soon he began performing all across the country as the lead singer of a band called Against The Grain. Kurt and the band toured the club circuit for several years, playing their unique blend of country, rock, and Kurt’s originals, which propelled the band to regular engagements at such prestigious clubs as the The Grizzly Rose in Denver, CO. They also had the opportunity to be an opening act for such big name artists as Rascal Flatts, Billy Currington, Little Texas, and Diamond Rio, among many others.

In late 2005, Kurt once again decided to leave the club circuit behind and move his family - which now included two children - back to Nashville in order to be closer to his love of writing songs. Since then, he has written extensively on his own, and is presently co-writing with a group of established Nashville songwriters, including, Sandy Ramos, Fred Knobloch, Jon Robbin, Joie Scott, and others. And, he has just completed a label demo project with noted producer/songwriter, Carson Chamberlain (Billy Currington, Mark Wills).

Many people might have given up by now, but not Kurt. When asked why, he says, “Music is my life! It always has been, and always will be. The most important thing I have learned over the years, musically, is how to be Kurt. My music is a reflection of me and my experiences. I don’t want to be the “next” anybody. I want to be the only Kurt Layton.”

Management:
Clif Doyal, Clif Doyal Agency, Nashville, TN
Office: 615.885.5998 Cell: 615.319.1863 E: CDAnashville@aol.com