Today we’d like to introduce you to Denny Kidd.
Hi Denny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a very poor household. Both of my parents were disabled and relied on Government assistance.
Before I was born, my father was a coal miner and during those times – the work conditions were extremely unsafe but the pay was very good. I remember receiving donated clothing for school if my parents didn’t save enough money.
I even recall at one point, the bathroom floor was rotted so bad and some parts of it – you couldn’t see; getting to the toilet was a guessing game because if you stepped on the wrong spot, your foot could go through the floor.
Luckily – this ended up getting fixed. My parents tried, but they really did. They also had too much pride to ask anyone else for help (I think I get that from them too). Even though, times were hard… I never went “without.” They always found a way. I believe in some form – their “drive” was passed down to me; which is why – I have gone after any goal that I have a passion for; and even more since their passing.
My parents always loved music and film. My dad loved Elvis and old Rock N’ Roll and my Mom loved oldies from the 50s and 60s. I recall my parents listening to vinyl records and even music on their car stereo that played 8-tracks. Almost weekly, they would allow me to rent a 99-cent movie from the video store, and even as a kid, I always would rent old-school horror movies that scared the hell out of me at the time.
Or… I would “try” to rent them – if the VHS box art was too Gorey or if the title of the film sounded too dark… my parents wouldn’t allow me to have it. For example “Army of Darkness” – I remember that one in particular. I love the film and it’s more of a horror-comedy actually.
My Dad played guitar. He had bought a Peavy T-60 and a Yamaha amp from a pawn shop years ago; I think possibly even before I was born. Every night – he would jam on it and I remember it being so annoying as a kid because I couldn’t hear the movie that I was watching.
When I was 4 years old, I saw a poster of the band KISS. I had no idea it was a band or anything music-related. I recall just being fascinated by their appearance and I thought it was so cool how they can go outside looking like that. I didn’t understand but – even at that age, I thought it was cool to “beat to your own drum” or just be “different.”
I believe this played a huge part in my funky hair colors, tattoos, etc. throughout the coming years. At 6 years old – On Christmas, I received a guitar for Christmas. I found out years later, that they got this for $20.00 from a pawn shop. It didn’t even have a brand on it or any wording. Plus – I never asked for a guitar.
6-9 years old, I would occasionally pick up the guitar. I had to play it with its back on my lap and use my thumb; because my fingers were too small to reach the width of the fretboard. I did attempt to play by ear at this age. I learned how to play “Smoke on the water” (partially) by Deep Purple with only my thumb. Also – “Thunderstruck” by ACDC. During these ages, I very much loved bands like Motley Crue, Kiss (I didn’t know they were the group on the poster until years later), and Billy Idol.
At 9 years old – I would hear two songs by the band Metallica that would make me want to learn guitar on a serious level; this would change my life forever. The songs were “Master of Puppets” and “Welcome Home (Sanitarium).” At 9 years old, I didn’t have cable television, no computer, or internet and my interests were never toys or typical kid things (maybe because I didn’t have many things).
I learned guitar by using my ears. Whenever I had a chance to go to a shopping center, I would go. I would take a blank sheet of paper with me and a pencil. I would go to the magazine section and open a magazine called “Guitar World.” This magazine had tips for guitarists in it and guitar tablature; I would write all of this down (I rarely ever had the money to purchase the magazine).
I would take this paper home and learn whatever song was in the magazine (yes – this publication taught me how to read music) and I would practice whatever techniques were in it. This would lead to me learning music theory (self-taught.) I think back and just wonder what other shoppers were thinking of me sitting there in a department store like that (HAHA).
At 12 years old, I wanted to start a band. This never happened until I was around 16 years old and I found 2-ppl wanting to start a band. During this time – I worked for a summer school program and saved enough money to buy a new guitar. Anyways, this band was called “Broken Shrine,” this was a metal/progressive band that would fall apart in just a few years. This band gave me my first taste of being on-stage and recording in an actual studio. Around 2009 – I started a band called The Addiction.
We played a few times throughout Knoxville; also Nashville, Ohio, Kentucky, etc. I remember performing at Knoxville’s Club Catalyst a few times (I believe this venue was formerly called Blue Cats).
This was a pop-punk band with a similar sound to bands of that era like The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Mayday Parade, Boys Like Girls, and Hawthorne Heights. This band disbanded a few years later. These two bands – gave me an interest in recording – most musicians when recording just play their part and then go goof off or socialize on their phones.
I watched this process and learned a lot. When I’m doing something and have the option to maybe learn something new, I do it. I want to be as independent in everything as possible. When this band broke up – I studied music harder. Of course, I had many new resources: the internet, people, transportation, and money. I attempted to put other groups together and they would quickly fall apart (after a show or 2).
I focused a lot on Acoustic music too, scales, vocals, screams, writing, Piano, Bass Guitar, and even the recording process. I purchased many books (books that music schools use for students) and videos (I still occasionally) and I purchased recording DAW programs to practice recording music on. Also – I joined a hip-hop group (for about 2-years) called Hunted Down Entertainment. I was a studio musician for them; I added guitars, vocals, and screams to their beats.
In 2019, I created a page to show my love for music and film; basically, it’s a studio. I named it THE KIDD KAVE. The Kidd Kave’s current main platform is Instagram (@thekiddkave) and has a following that continues to grow. I believe it’s up to 30K followers currently. This will also be a youtube channel featuring vlogs, movie stuff, original music, performances of myself/other artists’ I am working with, collectibles, various reviews, etc.
On this Instagram, I started out just posting guitar videos and horror movie collectibles that I would purchase. This led many musicians (even famous musicians) and actors to follow me and musicians from around the world to reach out to me and hire me to mix or master their albums or even add vocals, screams, guitars, etc.
This has also led to musicians hiring me to perform shows with their musical group because they need a last-minute person (normally guitar). Currently – I have been performing a few shows with an artist called BRY LEW. We opened for the band “Saliva” on June 5, 2022, in Clarksville, TN. Saliva was a chart-topping band, that completed songs for WWE and was featured on many film soundtracks. I also have been writing 2-albums.
One is a hip-hop album under the name Parallax and the other is under the name Surviving Fate. Surviving Fate is basically a heavy rock/pop-punk project with my wife (Lyndsey) and me. This project will be growing exceptionally over the next several months. Anyways – my wife is an amazing vocalist (I’m super proud of her) and at some point will have her very own EP available. Anything that I do (not just music) will be listed in The Kidd Kave universe (basically).
On Jan. 8, 2022 – I received a call around 6 pm that my father had taken his dog out to use the bathroom (around 5 am) and never came back home. For my father to vanish for a large amount of time was never strange (he was an outdoorsman and beekeeper) but for him to be gone for that amount of time is strange. I immediately went to look for him and found him.
He appeared to have fallen down a hill and was dead (the image is haunting.) It was freezing temperatures and the dog he had taken out was right there with him still – in the freezing cold (alive). His funeral was that Thursday. My mother was heartbroken and already wasn’t in great shape. She had breathing issues from Asthma and even Heart-Issues. The week after my father’s passing, My mother was finally functioning a little better. At this time – she was staying with my brother and his wife.
She was helping them cook and chose what she wanted for dinner that night. She chose a meal that she and my father always enjoyed together; southern-cooked pinto beans, kraut, mashed potatoes, etc. Out of nowhere on this night – my Mother sat down and stated “Call an Ambulance and tell them to get here quick.” She instantly leaned over, wasn’t moving, and stared (I guess this is what people always say is the “death stare”).
Nothing could bring her back and the Ambulance showed up (just minutes later) and couldn’t revive her. My Mother’s funeral was the Thursday after my Father’s funeral.
I was destroyed and depressed for so many days. One day, I sat there and just thought about life. The concept “you only live once” and “life is short” really resonated with me and for once in my life, I felt that I finally understood. To get these unfortunate events off my mind, I started using music and focusing even harder than ever… writing and just focusing on anything I was passionate about.
I even quit drinking alcohol during this time (I plan to remain sober forever.) About a day later – I have seen (online) that “actors were wanted.” I submitted photos and then was asked to read and act out a script on video – then submit the video. I assumed that – at the very least, I may be an extra in a film. Soon after – I learn that I got the lead role in a horror film. I play “Brady” in the horror sequel/reboot “A Night Of The Living Dead (2022)”.
NOTLD2022 is nearing the very end of filming and is expected to be released later this year or in early 2023. It will be released in select theaters, streaming, Redbox, and even retail stores. The trailer for this film was released about 2-weeks ago and the response has been nothing but “love.”
Readers can watch the official trailer on Youtube by searching “A Night of the Living Dead (2022)” or just searching for my name. The Cast, Producers, Directors, and I will be attending Knoxville’s Creepycon horror convention as guests on August 27, 2022. We will also be doing a discussion panel there for fans. I hope to see everyone from Knoxville there.
Readers can follow my IMDB for links to more information about the film: imdb.me/dennykidd or follow me on Instagram to stay updated on the film and everything else that I am doing: Instagram: @thekiddkave.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Financial issues, finding others with the right amount of dedication, and the hardest was losing my 2-biggest supporters: my parents.
I am also a Cancer Survivor (in remission) (2014-2018.) That played a huge role in determining what I could schedule or even do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think I shared most in the very first question.
But – I am a musician, studio musician, touring musician, and Actor. My main instrument is Guitar. I play “Brady” in the film “A Night Of The Living Dead (2022)”.
I don’t know really what sets me apart. I do know – that no matter how successful I get, It will never go to my head and I’ll always just love people for being people. Maybe that sets me apart. I love meeting people, talking to people, etc.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My Dad attended one of my shows and was proud. He talked about it for years after.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thekiddkave
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jimigunns
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/thekiddkave
- Other: www.facebook.com/thekiddkave
Image Credits
The Kidd Kave and Bry Lew
