Darrin Kobetich

About

Fort Worth, Texas-based solo acoustic guitar master Darrin Kobetich classifies his sound as “ambient delta raga thrash grass,” but that’s just scratching the surface.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Darrin grew up listening to a lot of music, (including bluegrass, Italian and Greek music, rock 'n' roll). His musical journey started out with four chords he learned from his father at age 12. Soon he was hooked on Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rush, etc.

Moving to Weatherford, Texas, in 1980 Darrin formed his first real band, an instrumental power trio, a year later. Inspired by German guitar phenomena Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker, he honed his chops playing covers and experimenting with improvisation. Spent a few years in various metal bands before joining the New Orleans-born thrash metal outfit Hammer Witch in 1989. They released a cassette before disbanding in 1994.

Darrin then formed an experimental metal band, Amillion Pounds, which was fronted by his brother Adam. It was during Amillion Pounds’ run that Darrin composed his first acoustic songs, influenced by Jimmy Page and Leo Kottke. By 2002, he was completely immersed in the acoustic guitar, inspired by the likes of Michael Hedges and John Fahey, as well as Middle Eastern and other world music.

Amillion Pounds disbanded in 2004 and the following year, Darrin and Adam founded the Electric Mountain Rotten Apple Gang to play bluegrass and mountain music. The Gang eventually evolved into the Blackland River Devils. Darrin has provided music for theatrical presentations at Hip Pocket Theater, and performs with Darryl Wood in the experimental guitar-and-electronica unit The Panic Basket. He’s self-released four CDs (available via CD Baby): Off the Beaten Path, the epic hour-long 12-string exploration The End of One Enchanted Evening, Songs For A Muse Meant, and his latest The Longest Winter.

Will travel far and wide.

Personnel

Darrin Kobetich: Guitar Player

Influences

Jimmy Page, Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Michael Hedges

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 45 - 240 minutes

“Considering the amount of pretense involved in playing in a band, it's easy for people to get caught up in the bombast, slight even the most talented musicians and forget that what they practice is a craft. It's a disciplined art, which practically demands obsessive devotion. That's exactly why we should be thankful for guitarists like Fort Worth's Darrin Kobetich. While his technical prowess is evident, the approach is sly and subtle. Kobetich's songs never rely on gaudy rock-star posturing to drive them, and don't seek to overwhelm the listener with superfluities." -By Cole Garner Hill - QuickDFW

“Acoustic guitar virtuoso Darrin Kobetich has traveled quite a few miles –– both figuratively and literally –– since he first mixed folk and bluegrass with his metal back in the early aughts as a member of Amillion Pounds. Starting out as a weekly Friday evening happy-hour ritual at the late, lamented Wreck Room, his solo act has become a fixture at Fred’s Texas Caf and Hip Pocket Theatre, and he’s toured all over Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, California, Oregon and Washington. His playing has evolved as well. Proceeding from a foundation of Zep III-era Jimmy Page, 6 & 12 String Guitar-era Leo Kottke, and Breakfast in the Field-era Michael Hedges, he has incorporated more ragtime and old-timey influences to his blend of breakdowns, blues, and raga. ”
Ken Shimamoto - Fort Worth Weekly

Stage/Setup Requirements:
I can work in most any space.

Additional Notes:
I use Taylor and Martin acoustic guitars. I provide my own small sound system, if needed.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
No set list. All from the head - all original.

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Band Member Wanted, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Ethnic Celebration, Fair, Festival, Fundraiser, Graduation, Grand Opening, Halloween Party, Holiday Party, Hotel, Launch Party, Luncheon/Tea, Parade, Private Party, Restaurant, Retreat, Reunion, Seminar, Studio Session, Trade Show, Wedding Reception, Workshop

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