Draft:David Kent (musician)

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David Kent (born June 30, 1951, in Akron, Ohio) is an American songwriter, musician, and performer with a career spanning over five decades in the genres of rock, folk, country, and jazz music. He is best known for his keyboard and vocal work with Hall & Oates during the late 1970s,^[1] as well as his successful songwriting career in Nashville, which began in 1990. Kent is the writer of Blake Shelton’s debut hit, "Austin," which topped the country charts in 2001,^[2] and he has earned numerous accolades, including BMI Million-Air Awards, gold and platinum records, and songwriting awards in Christian, country, and bluegrass music.

Kent was born in Akron, Ohio, to a family with deep musical roots. His father, a classically trained violinist, and his mother, a high school teacher, both influenced his early development. He began piano lessons at age 4, with his primary exposure to popular music coming from a Motorola 6-transistor AM radio. As a child, he was influenced by an eclectic mix of rock, country, soul, and jazz music, listening to artists such as Marty Robbins, Ray Charles, and The Everly Brothers.^[3]

At age 11, Kent took up the guitar. He started writing songs and performing in various local garage rock bands and folk groups. His first paid performance was at age 14, playing at a fraternity party. Kent attended Harvey S. Firestone Junior-Senior High School in Akron, where he immersed himself in the school’s music programs, performing in choirs, glee clubs, and musicals. During this time, the social and political unrest of the 1960s inspired Kent’s interest in protest music, influencing his songwriting.^[3]

Kent enrolled in Ithaca College as a music major but was dismissed after his sophomore year due to his focus on performing rather than academics. He spent the following years performing as a solo folk singer and in the rock band Albatross.^[3] In 1973, Albatross sent a demo tape to music publishing companies, where it caught the attention of Tommy Mottola, an employee at Chappell Music. Mottola invited Kent to New York City, where he recorded "I Got Love For You Ruby" under the alias “Shayne.”^[4] The recording session led to Kent meeting Daryl Hall and John Oates, who asked him to audition for their band in 1974.^[3] Kent joined Hall & Oates, contributing keyboard, percussion, and background vocals, and toured with them for five years.^[1][3]

Kent also recorded his first nationally released album cut, "I’ve Been On The Mountain," for McKendree Spring's Get Me To The Country in 1975.^[5] His time with Hall & Oates saw him perform alongside acts like The Eagles,^[6] The Kinks,^[7] and Jimmy Buffett.^[6]

In 1980, Kent parted ways with Hall & Oates when the duo hired a new band. He pursued a solo career and formed the David Kent Band, recording an album in 1982.^[8] Despite the lack of commercial success, Kent continued to perform and explore new musical avenues.

He later returned to Ithaca, New York, and spent several years working in construction and performing with local bands, including as the “boy singer” in Joe Salzano’s Big Band. In 1985, Kent transitioned to songwriting, co-writing country songs with Tom “Harley” Campbell. After gaining attention from Huey Lewis, Kent moved to Nashville in 1990, where he was hired by Paul Craft Music Publishing.^[3]

Over the next 35 years, Kent worked with major publishing companies, including Tom Collins Music, Almo-Irving Music, and Talbot Music Co. He wrote numerous songs for country artists such as Neal McCoy, Martina McBride, Mark Wills, Blake Shelton, Rodney Atkins, Lari White, Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, Emilio Navaira, and Riders In The Sky. His songwriting achievements include numerous chart-topping hits and award-winning songs, as well as bluegrass releases by artists like Charlie Sizemore and Tim O’Brien.^[9]

In 2014, Kent joined “Operation Song,” a nonprofit organization that pairs professional songwriters with U.S. military veterans and their families to help them heal through songwriting.^[10] Kent has been deeply involved in the project, writing hundreds of songs for veterans, active-duty members, and families affected by PTSD and other issues.^[11]

Kent married artist and author Cynthia Kent in 1999, and they have three grown children: Claudia Crook Wolfe, Jackson Crook, and James Kent. The couple resides in Pleasant View, Tennessee, and Newfield, New York. In addition to his musical career, Kent is passionate about cooking as well as international and regional cuisines, an interest he shared with Daryl Hall during their tours together.^[3]

Kent is also known for his 20-year tenure as a member of FAB, an all-Beatles cover band, performing in Nashville and beyond.^[12] Today, Kent continues to write songs, focusing on the country music market, "portrait" songs for and about people he knows, and contributions to “Operation Song.”^[3]

Throughout his long career, David Kent has made significant contributions to American music, particularly in country, rock, and folk genres. His work as a performer, songwriter, and advocate for veterans through “Operation Song” has left an enduring impact on the music industry and beyond.