A Look Back at Kevin Atwater
Born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma Sept. 11, 1959 the family packed up and moved to Northern Ca.
With two siblings, Donna Liner of Grand Prairie, Tx. and Gary Atwater of Shawnee, Ok.
Kevin received his first guitar at the early age of three years old. His brother Gary found himself blasting away on the drums, which caught Kevin's attention. In the late sixties the family packed up and moved to Alaska where Kevin' Father "Ray" worked for the Government at a Military Installation and his Mother "Ann" worked at a bank on base. Soon Kevin started playing and watching his brother comb his skills on the drums and soon the family had two sets of drums and playing for hours a day. After four years of the bitter cold in Alaska the family found themselves back in Ca. Kevin had groomed his skills enough on the drums to join a band in High School, "Orpheus" playing for backyard parties and even his own Junior Prom. The love of playing the guitar was still in his blood and soon he decided that was what he was going to put all his attention to.
After graduating from Concord High, Concord Ca. 1977 Kevin's family packed up and decided to go back to their roots of Oklahoma, Kevin not quite eighteen had to move with the family. He found himself back on the drums with a band called "ATWATER" by then Kevin had met and became close friends with Jay Watkins who saw Kevin playing guitar and singing on a playground equipment about missing his High School girlfriend.
They still laugh about that to this day. Jay took Kevin under his wing and provided enough knowledge to comb his skills even more on the guitar. Several years and two kids later, Jesse and Brian, Kevin moved back to California and joined the Army. It was then that he learned to play Country and Bluegrass music and he knew at that point that was his calling. After the Army Kevin settled back in Northern California and took a job as a Service Advisor at local car dealership. Kevin joined a Classic Rock and Roll band, "XPRESS" and the local band was one of the most popular bands in the area. On July 21, 1998 tragedy struck the Atwater family, Ray, Kevin's father had been killed in a house fire in Robert Lee, Texas where his mother and father had moved to retire. This took a major toll on Kevin's life, he took Gods given talent and started writing even more and wrote "Daddy Goodbye" which was recorded on his first album, 17th and Austin, The address where Kevin had lost his father. On July 21, 1999 one year to the day of the loss, a man, by the name of Roger Moore offered to back Kevin and his life long dream of playing music. Kevin soon started recording his first album, 17th and Austin, which grabbed the attention of a producer in Nashville, Larry Pacheco. Larry had heard something in Kevin's voice that he knew would grab the attention of people all around the world. Soon Kevin was flying back and forth to Nashville recording his second album, "One Lucky Man". The album caught the attention of Frank Fara, President of Comstock Records and the relationship evolved. One Lucky Man soon became a chart busting hit all around the world with six top ten hits and a number one "Kissing This Ring” which became a country music video smash hit. Filmed and produced by Video and Managing Producer Peter Lippman. In 2001 Kevin moved back to his roots of Oklahoma and decided that it was time to take the show on the road. Kevin's mother Ann who had survived the fire purchased Roy Clark's tour bus and Bob Henry a long time friend and fellow guitarist in the band "XPRESS" joined Kevin and hit the road playing venues all around the United States. The band "Kevin Atwater" had gained huge success in every parts of the Country. In July of 2003 Kevin met a someone in Duluth Minnesota that would soon change his life forever. It was love at first sight and in December 2003 Kevin and Stephanie were married and Bob Henry was his best man. Knowing Kevin's dream, Stephanie never once forced him to come off the road and settle down. Stephanie who still is a major supporter of Kevin's talent was in school to become a Police Officer. After Stephanie graduated she found employment in Cheyenne Wyoming as a Deputy Sheriff. During this time Kevin was still on the road playing up to 47 weeks a year. The family then moved to Cheyenne, Wy. Kevin's two sons Jesse age 32 and Brian age 29 still reside in Northern California. In October 2005 Kevin decided that the road had taken its toll on him so he called it quits. In August 2007 Kevin , Stephanie and Stephanie's two daughters, Annie now age 19 and Betsy age 18 pulled stakes and moved back to Minnesota where Kevin went back in the car business and Stephanie went back to school to obtain her bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. Today they have settled down on their beautiful 4.5 acre home on the hill. Kevin is still writing songs and enjoys riding his custom built motorcycle in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter. Music will always be in his blood and I'm sure we haven't heard the last of Kevin Atwater......
Here it is 2018 and I have had a lot of changes in my life the past few years. The new CD is not completed.
Stephanie and I have relocated to Texas now where I have decided to pick up where I left off. That doesn't mean I'm hitting the road again but have connected with some local musicians and getting things in gear to start playing out again. We are happy here located 3 hours West of Dallas on a little 17 acre Ranch with horses, a Donkey, cats and dogs. I'm still in the car business staying very busy as I am the West Texas Regional Fixed Operations Manager for a Dealer Group overseeing 5 stores. I just can't shake the itch to perform again. I will keep you updated and post some new pictures as we go. Thank you for your support.
"I live life to the fullest and I'm not done yet"
"ONE MORE TIME"
Kevin
My beautiful Wife Stephanie (on the right) and Daughter Annie
We can't forget about Daughter Betsy, (Poser)