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Ken Gustin
Seneca, KS is Ken's childhood home, where he was immersed in the family music legacy. Early in his youth his parents included him as a sax player in his father’s dance band, The Harmoneers, playing for wedding dances, New Years Eve dances and local events throughout NorthEast Kansas. It was the encouragement of his father and mother to pursue music that led to his desire to become a "guitar player". With the encouragement and teachings of family, childhood friends and many others along the way, the guitar became his passion.
Ken became serious about the guitar while he was in the Air Force, stationed in Alaska. There, he honed his skills as a fingerstylist and songwriter, preparing him for a busy performance life when he finished his service obligation. He stayed in Anchorage, became deeply involved in the local music scene, and performed regularly as a solo performer, in a duo with John Crane, and as a member of a popular Anchorage trio, Slackjaw Flats, along with James Barkshire and Lynn Harper. In 1980, he and James released "Awakening" on cassette, a collection of original music, wherein all instruments and vocal parts were completed by the duo. Ken appeared on KABN radio in Alaska's Matanuska Valley as a featured guest artist, once performing all original music, and a second time exposing the listeners in the valley to fingerstyle music methods. Music was his night job, while he worked in higher education and later, the credit union industry. He met his wife in 1979, a girl from northern Maine, and they began life together. Soon they moved to Emporia and attended Emporia State where he studied Music Performance on Classical Guitar. When they re-entered the workforce he joined USDA, and completed a career in Maine. Then back to Kansas and to music as they settled in the Manhattan area.
His musical influences are vast, and he notes Doc Watson, Bryan Sutton, Kenny Smith, and Tim Stafford inspiring him most today! But his biggest influence perhaps is the playing of partner Chris Biggs.
Years with USDA also found him continuing to refine his guitar playing skills, and taking up old-time fiddle along the way. He also plays other stringed instruments. He kept writing too, and ocassionally performing. In 1990, at the encouragement of friends, he entered the Woody Guthrie Folk Singing Championship competition in Avoca, IA, and placed 3rd, performing original songs. Now Ken is deeply entrenched in the NorthEast Kansas music scene and can be seen frequently across the area. His voice is said by some to be his strength, others pinpoint his tasteful and unique guitar work, while still others say it’s his songwriting that gets your ear. Ken performed locally as a member of Quarter Moon, featuring ML Stahl on upright bass, mandolin and vocals, Dennis Groves on percussion, and the late Stanley Koehn on harmonica. RIP my dear friend.
Ken now performs as a duo with Chris Biggs, and as a solo performer, as he continues his quest to become a "guitar player".
He’s having the time of his life, pushing new boundaries and upping his game as a guitarist, singing his heart out and writing new songs. His musical beginnings in Seneca in the family band and with those childhood friends, are serving him well.
