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Thirsty Thursday Featuring Ken Holt

  • Grubs and Grooves
  • 7 hours ago
  • 3 min read


First Vinyl album I bought? Meet the Beatles


New single, SHINE; where did it come from? Came from having sung This Little Light of Mine hundreds of times in church. On an early version, my duo at the time did a couple of verses of This Little Light of Mine at a venue. Customers gave us $20 tips, while the venue manager never invited us back.


Filming the video for Claim This Land, what was it like? It was the only time I’ve ever hired someone to do a video. My daughter and her two young children are in it, as well as Mary Kate Brennan and Anna Lutz who sang on the track. Skateboarding, singing on the beach, wondering through a park; it was all good and I didn’t have to film and cut it.


News on the forthcoming VINYL album? After Christmas and New Year’s vacations, it is still in production. Waiting now for the 1st test pressing. Mid-January release is probably going to be mid-February. Shades of Light T-shirts have been ordered, and USB thumb-drives are also in the works. DIGITAL releases are available NOW on the website.


What song is the “dearest” to me on the album? Proud. I wrote it for my son, Raul and played it for him for the first time on the day he graduated from Marine Corp boot camp, Paris Island, SC. We both cried.


A meal I would prepare? Gluten free pasta in olive oil with grilled chicken bites and spices. Salad with lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, slices of grapes, blueberries, walnut pieces with poppy seed dressing; all organic.


Music playing in the kitchen when growing up? Frank Sinatra, Fly Me to The Moon; Andy Williams, Moon River; Buck Owens, I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail.


Favorite Breakfast? Mushroom, green pepper, tomato and cheese Omelet. Whole wheat, GF toast on the side. Pizza would be the same, minus the toast.


Most important meal of the day? A healthy breakfast. Fuel for the start of the day. Plus, if someone is counting calories, which I am not, those calories will likely be worked-off by noon as long as Dunkin was not breakfast.


One food brand I would sponsor would be Aldi’s, Organic SIMPLY NATURE. Distributed and sold exclusively by Aldis, Simply Nature is healthy and $1 to $3 cheaper that any other organic food line I’ve found. Pasta, spaghetti, salad dressing, ketchup…it’s all there, tasting better, costing less, and healthier.





Ken Holt, the son of a U.S. Marine, spent his formative years living in seven states before settling in Jacksonville, Florida, during high school and college. His musical journey was shaped by a tapestry of influences: the gospel-laced mandolin melodies of his Uncle Henry, the harmonious guitar explorations of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts, the six-chord innovations of Lennon and McCartney, his father’s Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings record collection, and his personal love for a well-crafted radio hit. These diverse inspirations merge into his signature sound—a blend of country, rock ‘n’ roll, bluegrass, and classic pop—best described as Americana.


When he isn’t walking his dog or managing life’s daily responsibilities, Ken dedicates himself to crafting music. He spends his days refining lyrics, experimenting with new song arrangements, recording tracks in his home studio, and rehearsing with his duo, The Promise. As one booking agent described, Ken’s original music evokes “nostalgia, longing, joy, and hope.”


Ken’s career has spanned decades, beginning in the mid-1970s and early 1980s as the bassist for the regionally successful New England band, The Blend. With two MCA records and tours that included opening for legendary acts like The Who, ZZ Top, Hall & Oates, 38 Special, Loggins and Messina, The Outlaws, Blue Öyster Cult, Charlie Daniels, and Foghat, Ken experienced the highs of life on the road and the camaraderie of performing with friends.


Today, Ken continues to live his passion for music with The Promise, whose debut performance took place at the Florida Americana Music Festival in 2024. Looking ahead, he is set to release a new digital and vinyl record in early 2025 and is already preparing for future projects. For Ken, music is not just what he does; it is who he is—yesterday, today, and prayerfully, tomorrow.


In addition to his musical pursuits, Ken has spent 20 years serving as a Pastor and Youth Minister in the Presbyterian Church, experiences that have profoundly influenced his creative philosophy. Guided by a commitment to inclusivity, respect, and hope, his goal is to create and perform music that welcomes all listeners, honors diverse perspectives, and inspires a sense of connection and optimism.

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