Tom Sykes Music

Kevin McKendree is a multi-faceted musician who plays a variety of instruments. He has been featured on countless commercial recordings, including numerous Grammy award-winning and nominated albums. Kevin has toured and/or recorded with many iconic musicians such as Delbert McClinton, Lee Roy Parnell, Brian Setzer, Brooks & Dunn, John Oates, Joe Bonamassa, George Benson, Buddy Guy, Little Richard, Etta James, Black Stone Cherry, John Hiatt, Hal Ketchum, George Thorogood, Seven Mary Three and The Kentucky Headhunters to name a few.

Teresa James of Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps. is widely acclaimed as a singer's singer. (When the SAG Singer’s Committee came together to celebrate Randy Newman, Teresa was chosen to sing his preferred tune for him.) She has laid down tracks with Tommy Castro, Eric Burdon, Spencer Davis, Randy Newman, Lee Roy Parnell, Neil Diamond, Walter Trout, Stephen Bruton, JP Soars and many others. On stage, she has shared the spotlight with Levon Helm, Eric Burdon, Delbert McClinton, Marcia Ball and Doyle Bramhall Jr., to mention just a few.

Tony Braunagel is a renowned drummer who has won a Grammy Award for his work. He has recorded music with Eric Burdon, Rickie Lee Jones, and Bette Midler. For several years, Tony worked with Bonnie Raitt on her albums Nick of Time and Luck of the Draw before going on tour with her in the early 90s. He also toured extensively with Taj Mahal and was part of The Phantom Blues Band.

Terry Wilson is a force to be reckoned with, with his imaginative production skills, skillful bass playing and prolific songwriting abilities. He has lent his talents to some of the greats, including Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, Jimmy Reed, Eric Burdon, Paul Kossoff from Backstreet Crawler, Chuck Berry, Johnny Nash, John & Beverly Martyn, Al Wilson Kim Wilson, Lightning Hopkins, Darling Cruel, Rocky Hill, Delbert McClinton, Mark Lindsay (from Paul Revere & The Raiders), Rabbit (from The Who), Dirk Hamilton and Keb Mo'. His songs have been recorded by Teresa James, Eric Burdon, Paul Rodgers, Back Street Crawler, Crawler, Kathy Mattea, Marcia Ball, Tommy Castro, Maria Muldaur, Tamara Champlin, Juice Newton and Andie McDowell among others.

It was just after midnight when he found himself in his usual spot, surrounded by the darkness of the recording studio, the only light coming from the faded glow of the equipment. He sat and stared, captivated by the array of knobs and dials, the flickering of the red and green lights, a reminder of all the magic that had been brought to life in that room.

He had been there many nights before, but on this particular night, he felt something different. His fingers itched to create music, his mind raced with melody and lyrics, and he felt the rare spark of inspiration that comes from the creative process. He reached out and grabbed a guitar, the only instrument he had at his disposal. He strummed a few chords, and the sound reverberated through the room, filling it with warmth and life.

He picked out the notes of a new song, a haunting melody he hadn't heard before. He hummed the words, his voice soft and gentle, and the song began to take shape. He sang about dreams and hope, about courage and resilience, and the song filled the room, stirring something deep inside him.

Hours passed as he worked on the song, rearranging it, refining it, playing it over and over until it felt perfect. He took a break, stretching his arms and legs, craning his neck, before diving back into the song.

Finally, when he was sure he had done all he could, he put down the guitar and stepped away from the microphone. He looked around the room, surveying his work, and sighed. No one would ever hear this song, he thought. He had crafted it for himself, a private ode to his creativity, and he was happy with it. He turned off the equipment and left the studio, feeling satisfied and content.

As he walked down the street, he thought about all he had accomplished. He had been a songwriter for years, yet no one—not even his closest friends—knew what he was working on. He had always preferred to be a mystery, to stay in the shadows, and he was content with his place in the world.

He thought of the song he had written that evening, a small reminder of why he kept on writing: because it was his own way of expressing himself, his own form of art.