Backstage with Bill Kirchen

Bill Kirchen, internationally renowned guitarist, has shared the stage with music greats including John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe. As a founding member of the hippie cult band, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, the Grammy nominated guitarist penned the rendition of "Hot Rod Lincoln" that became a top-10 hit.

From performing with his jug band in Ann Arbor High School’s senior talent show (also on the program, the future Iggy Pop), to influencing the Americana genre with the original “hippie country band,” Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, Bill Kirchen has been everywhere, flying alongside some of the planet’s coolest cats including Nick Lowe’s old protégé, Elvis Costello.

Bill lived near Washington DC for many years and became a much beloved "local"with a regular gig at the now closed Sunset Grille. He continues to sell out venues like the Birchmere when he comes to town.

Don't miss this chance to connect with the super vibrant history of Bill Kirchen...and brace yourself for a musical surprise or two. Mark Segraves, our trusty NBC4 journalist, will lead what promises to be a lively discussion.

Tickets $15 in advance // $20 at the door. Advance tickets strongly recommended.

More about Bill Kirchen:

Bill Kirchen has toured the world with Nick Lowe, who produced an album by Kirchen’s post-Airmen band, the Moonlighters. Elvis Costello recruited Kirchen for high-profile gigs like the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival — and even named his festival band after Kirchen’s Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods album. Lowe appears on that 2006 album, and its 2010 follow-up, Word to the Wise, along with Costello, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks, and other luminaries.

Somewhere between steering Commander Cody’s “Hot Rod Lincoln” into a top-10 hit and scoring a Grammy nomination for Best Country Instrumental Performance, Kirchen dubbed his sound “dieselbilly,” wrapping his fondness for country’s truck-driving song subgenre (as in big rigs, not pick-ups) with the style of the Bakersfield sound country music - and his own name - into one memorable moniker.

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