Ghosts of the American Road
Hondo, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2012 | INDIE
Music
Press
"(Higgins) demonstrates a poet's eye for the events in life that have real significance..." (No Depression, 2009)
"Like William Faulkner, Kevin's exceptional writing is rich with imagery and meaning, with characters so real you feel like you can touch them." (Stephen Doster, Producer ~ Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, James Honeyman-Scott/Pretenders)
"Barbara Malteze is mesmerizing...Kevin Higgins is one of the most talented songwriters around. His writing is best described as ‘entertaining’ and isn’t that why we buy music in the first place?" (MyTexasMusic.com)
"Higgins has waited a long time to fulfill his dream, now we just have to hope he doesn't wake up too soon..." (Maverick UK, 2010)
"This husband-and-wife act is one to watch. Higgins is a gifted songwriter with a fine voice. Malteze vocally more than holds her own...excellent music..." (Denver Post, 2006)
"When two individuals this talented come together, the end result is pure magic..." (CountryStarsOnline.com, 2005)
"...nobody's writing it any better than Kevin Higgins, or singing it with more lights-out ferocity and passion than Barbara Malteze...like Townes, Higgins has figured out a thing or two about this life deal...Higgins knows his way around songwriting, maybe because he's figured out his way around the soul. And with Barbara beside him, he can't lose...these two together have the power to change the way you think and feel about music..." (Texicana Music Central, 2005)
"Higgins has a sly lyrical and melodic wit akin to John Prine or Guy Clark at their most winsome." (Richard Skanse, Texas Music Magazine, 2009)
"...full of heart and soul...masterful writing and committed vocals..." (The Alternate Root, 2009)
"Texas does it again...all the best singer songwriters come from Texas – everyone knows that. Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Nanci Griffith, Willie Nelson. The names go on, and now there’s one more to add to the list...Kevin Higgins." (Americana-uk.com, 2010) -
"Kevin & Barbara marked the first time we booked a show purely on the recommendation of a long time friend and host. Boy, were we glad! Their music was full of passion, humor and drama, telling tales we could all relate to. The 2nd set especially rocked and they made a lot of new fans. They arrived as strangers, left as friends."
(Laurie & Dave Blacker, Maplewood Concert Series ~ Livonia, MI)
*****
"You guys are f*ckin' awesome!!!!!" (scrawled in our newsletter signup book)
(Susie Markland, Susie's House Concerts ~ Gambrills, MD)
*****
"An unforgettable night of music. The caliber of music and songwriting experienced that night was beyond good or even great… 'it was phenomenal.' If the opportunity to hear Kevin and Barbara in a listening setting ever comes your way, don't let it pass you by."
(Paula Reynolds, Hill Top House Concerts ~ Kerrville, TX)
(from a Hill Top house concert attendee to the host...) Paula, last night was magical, wasn't it? Something about Barbara and Kevin's poetry touched all of us. Conveying those feelings requires a certain vulnerability; both of them were so kind to share the feelings that we all share as fellow travelers on this planet. Bless you for continuing to open your home, facilitating these experiences for all of us. (Kat Walker)
*****
(Sold out show) ~ "Kevin and Barbara put on one of the best house concerts that we have ever hosted. Playing in front of a room full of people that had never heard them before, they quickly won over the crowd with their great songs and friendly personalities. Kevin and Barbara started out with a room full of strangers and left with a room full of friends. Can’t wait to have them back. "
(Mike & Peggy Dunham, Burritoville House Concerts ~ Sullivan, NH)
*****
"Kevin and Barbara gave us a really special night! Their art is "soul food"...music which draws me in deep, nurtures the spirit, creates and maintains human connections on a spiritual plane. I'm grateful to them for putting it out there. There is truth and a nakedness in their music that strips away pretense and posturing; and opens lines of discourse. Deeply appreciated."
"Beyond the music I found Kevin and Barbara to be a couple of truly genuine and engaging human beings and that's a commodity we can never get enough of!"
(Brian McCloskey, Folk on the Foul Rift House Concerts ~ Mt. Bethel, PA)
*****
"When I met Barbara and Kevin, they exceeded all of my expectations. These folks were two of the kindest people I have ever met. Their spirit translated to my entire audience and they instantly won over the crowd. The music was beautiful. They truly are a professional duo, and I would be honored to have them play at my house again. I have hosted a number of House Concerts, and this was one of the best and most successful."
(Mike Moroski, host ~ Cincinnati, OH)
*****
"These guys are AMAZING! Both as people and artists - a combination you cannot beat. What a great night. Perfect! "
(Jim & Kelly Lively, Live at the Lively Gardens ~ Empire, MI)
*****
"Kevin Higgins and Barbara Malteze are two of the best performing singer/songwriters in Texas! I was privileged to host them for a house concert and was impressed by their professionalism and musical delivery. It is very apparent that these two individuals have found themselves to be whole as a duo; both privately and professionally. Their music is easy to listen to and touches the heart, whether it is a fast paced rock style tune, or a slow, dreamy ballad. Kevin and Barbara's interaction with the audience is easy and unpretentious. They are delightful. My friends and I look forward to having them again for more house concerts. "
(Marianne Stauffer, Stauffer's Stars House Concerts ~ Houston, TX)
*****
"Kevin Higgins is the real deal! A brilliant songwriter, his deeply heartfelt clever lyrics captivate the audience. The addition of Barbara's harmony and keyboards makes for a performance you will never forget. We have already hosted them twice, and would welcome them back whenever they are in our region."
(Scott Silverman, host ~ Rockville, MD) -
Kevin hosts a Songwriter Series on select Wednesday nights at Hondo's on Main (Fredericksburg,TX).
Some of his friends who have shared the stage with him:
Butch Hancock ~ Gurf Morlix ~ Amy Speace ~ Bill Carter
Malcolm Holcombe ~ Susan Gibson ~ Michael Hearne
Shake Russell ~ Stephen Doster ~ Rod Picott
Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart ~ Nathan Hamilton
Matt the Electrician ~ Michael O'Connor ~ Lisa Morales
Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin ~ Will Sexton
Gordy Quist ~ Owen Temple ~ Michael Fracasso
Marc Douglas Berardo ~ Walt Wilkins ~ Clay McClinton
Adam Carroll ~ Butch Morgan ~ Drew Kennedy
Art & Lisa ~ Shelley King ~ Thomas Michael Riley
Noelle Hampton ~ John Evans ~ The Border Blasters
Jess Klein ~ Bill Carter ~ Leeann Atherton ~ Matt Harlin
Kacy Crowley ~ Ken Gaines ~ Connie Mims ~ Mike June -
With over 350,000 miles on our SUV, here are some of the venues where we've performed:
The Mansion on O Street (Washington DC) ~ SRO Concert Series;
Kerrville Folk Festival Main Stage (2001);
NERFA 2013 ~ (4) guerrilla showcases/exhibitor
SWRFA 2009 ~ (7) guerrilla showcases
Ashland Coffee & Tea (Ashland, VA);
Cactus Cafe (Austin, TX);
Mucky Duck (Houston, TX);
Red Dragon Listening Room (Baton Rouge);
Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse (Dallas, TX);
Open Door Coffeehouse (Arlington, TX);
Rice Festival (Fischer, TX);
Saxon Pub (Austin, TX);
Burlap & Bean (Newtown Square, PA);
Hill Chapel House Concert Series (New Market, MD);
The Living Room (NYC);
Buffalo Friends of Folk (Buffalo, NY);
Cranberry Coffeehouse (UU Binghamton, NY);
First Fridays @ Exeter UU (Exeter, NH);
Daniel Boone Public Library Concert Series (Columbia, MO);
East Hampton Public Library Concert Series (East Hampton, CT);
and many more... -
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Available for:
House Concerts, Listening Venues, Festivals, Workshops, Community Events,
Nursing Homes/Rehab Centers, "Dinner and Song", Libraries...
Ghosts of the American Road is the latest brainchild of internationally acclaimed songwriter Kevin Higgins and his talented musical partner, Barbara Malteze. Inspired by Kevin's cinema-graphic compositions, the two weave their individual vocal styles over guitar and piano to embellish the melodic poetry that has become their signature sound. This is "American Music"... where all styles come together at a distinctly original musical crossroads.
Kevin Higgins is a friendly voice of reason trapped in the body of a working-class dreamer. As a published poet, Kevin's two greatest attributes go hand-in-hand with a keen ability to convey his life experiences coupled with a passion for constantly rediscovering himself. His exquisite delivery has been likened to contemporaries such as Jimmy Webb, Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen, while his modal changes are reminiscent of great American composers, (Hoagy Carmichael, Irving Berlin). Aside from all the comparisons, Higgins seldom strays from his humble working-class West Texas roots and music which helped raised him, (late '60s~early '70s AM radio). With the debut of Ghosts of the American Road, Kevin has wandered even deeper onto sacred ground, further examining the road ahead pitted against the current state of affairs, with an overpowering yearning for beauty and truth amidst the chaos.
"Kevin Higgins ascends to the pantheon of eloquent and evocative American singer-songwriters with that rare gift for articulating the fullness of human experience within splendid and alluring melodies..." (Rob Patterson, veteran music critic)
Hearing Barbara Malteze deliver a song is tantamount to a religious experience. She reaches deeper, the yearning is stronger, the strength of conviction undeniable. Maybe it's because she was the oldest of nine (from a working-poor family), with no monetary resources, but plenty of dreams. With tenacity and perseverance, Barbara landed a couple of scholarships to Berklee College of Music. When the scholarships ran out, she decided it was time to follow her dreams to sing. And sing she would, finding her voice everywhere, from the rough-and-tumble rock clubs of Boston and L.A.'s Sunset Strip; to the once-famous Palomino club in Hollywood, where where she first captured Higgins imagination. Their subsequent partnership and move to Texas allowed them to explore untraveled musical roads, and make a name for themselves. Through all this, there remains a mystery as to how one so demure and unassuming could be given a voice as big as all outdoors. It's because, someone very close to her once said, "Barbara loves from a place much deeper than most of us are willing to go. She is the essence of art imitating life."
The duo's self-titled debut CD is scheduled for release May 20, 2014.
Leelanau Conservancy (Michigan) "Sunrises & Sunsets": featuring Kevin Higgins' composition, "Infinity." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYpWRHUB03s
Workshop info: Kevin is available before/after performances to share his narrative, "The Genesis of Inspiration"; of interest to poets, writers and songwriters, (followed by Q&A session). Music is the universal language, wielding the power to break down barriers which divide us, and create loving connections.
Band Members
Links
