Kaye Johnston Home

Kaye Johnston is a soulful and talented songwriter who performs her music

with great emotion and grace."

Kaye is classically trained in piano and voice and also plays mandolin and guitar. Her musical gifts have taken Kaye to performances as far away as the UK at clubs and pubs and as close as neighborhood coffeehouses in the Midwest. Kaye has been the main performer at many venues in the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City, MO and has opened for national acts Dana Cooper and Ruckus and the Trousers.

Kaye has spent most of the past few years developing her original music and creative mandolin and guitar techniques. She currently performs three to four times a month at various songwriter acoustic venues in the Kansas City and just finished her new album release December 2007. The “UpClose and Personal” CD showcases Kaye's gift for creating meaningful songs with catchy lyrics and melodies. Kaye dives deep into the human spirit by crafting well-appointed lyrics into rockin' melodies complete with complex and syncopated rhythms. Electric guitar and bass, features local musicians Michael Johnston, Duane Woner, Joe Cardador, John Mitchell and Cindi Lee, along with percussions blend with instrumental harmonies to add texture to vocals and rhythmic mandolin and guitar. Kaye's "Upclose and Personal" includes ten great original songs artfully produced.

"Wednesday Acoustic Night at Blayney's
Date/Time:Wed., July 23
Singing Around Town
Kaye Johnston sure likes to share the spotlight. Recently, the contemporary folk singer started co-hosting an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays at Bar Natasha (1911 Main, 816-472-5300). And since February, Johnston has been booking other local singer-songwriters to perform with her at Blayney's (415 Westport Road, 816-561-3747) for Wednesday Acoustic Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Each musician gets 30 minutes to perform original songs, starting with Johnston. Tonight, she's joined by Holly Taylor, Gary Paredes and Howard Iceberg."

by Crystal K. Wiebe The Pitch Weekly July 16, 2008
www. pitch. com/events/wednesday-acoustic-night-at-blayneys-655787/

Review of Kaye Johnston’s CD,

"UpClose and Personal" Feb 9, 2008:

"Kaye Johnston’s CD, UpClose and Personal, is that unexpected kiss on the cheek when you’ve done something brave. These solo and live tracks let you listen to the songs like looking at paintings in a gallery. If you take your time, each song will speak a thousand words to your heart. This music feels as good as a big hug."
- David B. Hakan, Songwriters Circle of Kansas City

Kaye is a member of the Songwriters Circle of Kansas City and also collaborates with other local musicians providing background vocals, mandolin and rhythm guitar. For booking information email kaye@kayejohnston.com.

Here's a review of her first CD "Hard Time" that was released in June 2006!

"Maybe you should play guitar That mandolin wont get you far. Learn some fancy vocal tricks Weve had enough of macho chicks." First Verse of 'Maybe You Should Play Guitar' Written by Kaye Johnston and John Mitchell 2006. Fortunately, Kaye Johnston listened to the above advice only long enough to turn it into a great song for this debut album-Hard Time. Her saucy lyrics and unique voice, coupled with the magic of the mandolin, bring a fresh approach to the music scene. Songs like "Love Abounds" and "Hard Time" create an infectious, bouncy song with plenty of attitude. In contrast, "The Point" and "Take Me Back" yield haunting, minor-key ballads ("Can you and I ever get to even ground?" Lyrics in "The Point"). Their smoky tones will stay in your head long after the songs are done. Every song on this CD vibrates with Kaye's original lyrics and gutsy delivery a pleasure to listen to again and again. Maril Crabtree, www.sacredfeathers.com.

Kaye has Five Song Pulls on SONG PULL and YOUTube

Yes, I have Myspace!

Venues for Performances 2006 Through 2009:

Spring in the Park Corbin Theater, Liberty, MO;

The Bullet Bar, Kentish Town, London UK;

Out of the Bedroom at Canon's, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK; Tulliebole Castle, Crook of Devon, Scotland, UK;

The Kings Arms, London, UK;

New Kansas City Library, Downtown KCMO;

Sherwoodstock. Stewartsville, MO;

Main Street Coffee House, Independence, MO;

bar Natasha Opener for Ruckus and the Trousers, Crossroads, KCMO;

1924 Main Cellar Gallery & Lounge, Crossroads, KCMO;

The Fringe Festival at the Bohemian Gallery, Crossroad, KCMO; 2004 Grand Gallery in the Crossroads, KCMO;

Sweetwater House Concerts Opener for Dana Cooper, Plaza, KCMO;

Westport Coffee House, Westport, KCMO;

Totos Fine Coffees, Mission, KS;

Crave Café, KCMO;

All Souls Coffee House, Plaza, KCMO

Corbin Theatre, Liberty, MO

River Rock Coffee Company, Parkville, MO

Private House Concerts, Mission Hills,

KS Doc's Original Coffeehouse, Lees Summit, MO

J.Barleycorn's in Wichita, Kansas,

Power Plant Brewery, Parkville, MO

RJ's Bob Be Cue Shack, Mission, KS

Watkins Mill Music Festival and Back Porch Jam, Lawson, MO

The Ten Penny, Leavenworth, KS

Barleys Brewhaus, OPKS

Private House Concerts, Westwood, KS

Blayney's Westport Irish Pub, KCMO

Coffee Break, Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Icons Gospel Show, Pilgrim Chapel, KCMO

Eljay's CoffeeHouse