About Kevin Waara

Kevin Waara made his first appearance in the maternity ward of the Port Arthur General Hospital in Thunder Bay, Canada. Upon completion of college Kevin began working as an electrical draftsman at his uncle Eric's firm, Peterson Electric Company. Four years later he connected with Thunder Bay's Bombardier Inc (formerly Canadian-Car) plant working in both manufacturing sectors and the engineering department.
Kevin penned his first song at fifteen, carefully, during a high school chemistry class. It was called "I'll Be Your Guy Any Day" inspired by a mad crush over his teacher. Soon after, prompted by two early band mates, cousin Glenn Niemi and James Goodman, vocals followed. Confidence was gained quickly.
Kevin Waara and Glenn Niemi Cousins and Colleagues (a.k.a. The Suomi Studmuffins) Kevin & Glenn promoting the Rhythm Cat Records release 'Horseplay' Hillcrest Park, Thunder Bay, ON. Can July 4, 1998	Kevin started making records at local studios in 1972. He was quite fortunate at this time to meet Don Grashey, a much accomplished and highly respected record producer/ music mogul. Kevin and Don began an artist/ producer arrangement which lasted 10 years harvesting several recording dates. One such session resulted in a single titled "Sweet Lorene" released to Canadian and selected U.S. radio stations. The song earned a Recommended Pick Hit nod in the major U.S. trade publication Billboard Magazine, June 1974. The first ever single Kevin recorded and released was a cover of 2 Elvis Presley nuggets, "Anything That's Part of You" and "One-Sided Love Affair". Sales totalled a whopping 311 copies.

Kevin first played to an audience in 1974 as a member of Count. In time, other groups followed...Apollo, Wheatstone-Bridge, Rockslide, The Reflections, The Marbles, The Colts, Coldshot, The Keys and most recently Kevin & The Hi-Fives.

Kevin cites his favourite performers/ writers as Johnny Cash, Paul Simon, Carole King, John Lennon and Hank Williams Sr. He also lists the Frank Sinatra catalogue as tops. The song Kevin wishes he had most written is the Jimmy Webb 1960's masterpiece Macarthur Park. Current groups include Bon Jovi, Lonestar and Blue Rodeo.

In 1980 Kevin recorded an album titled Breakthrough at Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. This resulted in 4 nationally charted singles listed in the Canadian music publication RPM Magazine. One of the tracks, "A Dreamer And A Fool" enjoyed Top 10 status (peaking in May 1982) for 6 weeks and remained on the RPM Canadian Country 100 for 6 months. It eventually became the 68th most popular Canadian country song of 1982. In "The Autumn Of My Life". "The Beginning Of The End" and "I Can't Waste Another Moment" also fared well achieving national Top 30 placings. Kevin closed out the 1980's with 2 Don Grashey originals, "The Third Time" and "Your Love". Both were received favourably at radio but didn't crack the national survey. Great moments of the Nashville dates included sharing session notes over tea with Brenda Lee and Wayne Newton on separate occasions and meeting the great Johnny Cash at the Grand Ole Opry. Kevin received a nomination as Top Male Singer at the Canadian Academy of Country Music Awards held in Ottawa, Canada in September 1981. Although he didn't win, the experience remains a career highlight.

Kevin loves to perform for all audiences at fundraisers, festivals and night-clubs. And recently, he returned to making records as July 1998 brought forth an album titled HorsePlay on the Rhythm Cat Records label. Ten original tracks were the result of spirited collaborations with fellow writers and colleagues Glenn Niemi, Ken Moore, Paul Liima and Denis Perron. One track, "Texas Two Step", received international spins and in time logged 22 weeks on Canada's music trade listing RPM National Country 100 peaking at number 26 in May 1999. On the strength of the HorsePlay disc Kevin garnered a nomination as Outstanding New Male Vocalist at the National Big Country Awards held in Toronto, Canada in June 2000. Late summer 2000 Kevin actively promoed his new Rhythm Cat Records release 'teaser tracks VOLUME ONE' containing two intensely moving originals "Only You Girl" and "Almost Touch The Sky", an upbeat remix of "Texas Two Step" and a sizzling remake of the Charlie Daniels/ Joy Byers 1960's pop/country classic "It Hurts Me". "It Hurts Me" was received favourably at radio, eventually landing a spot on the RPM Country 100. 'teaser tracks VOLUME ONE' was produced in its entirety by Ken Moore and Howie Rissin at Channels Audio & Post Production Studios, Winnipeg, Canada.
In October 2001 Kevin released his new 16 Track compilation "We Need Love To Win" on the Rhythm Cat Records label. The album was produced by Ken Moore and engineered by Howie Rissin at the Channels Audio facilities in Winnipeg, Canada. The set includes 8 new originals and 8 remixes (originally produced in Nashville, Tennessee) previously available only on the vinyl format. The target single being shipped to radio is the Waara/Perron/Moore penning "Shine On Me".