Craig Kinsey is an American trans-genre singer-songwriter and intellectual based in Houston, Texas, most commonly known for his wild bacchanalian stage shows. He is regarded as the ‘Godfather of the Houston Americana Music Scene.’ His theology and belief system began as a young man in the American south, taking him north to Canada before returning to a monastic life near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Unexpected exposure to new musical experiences, most especially with instruction from John Michael Talbot, inspired his return to Houston. Eventually graduating magna cum laude from the University of Saint Thomas with a joint major in psychology and philosophy, his focus has come to rest on a career in music released by multiple Texas-based record labels. Noteworthy performances have seen him tour with Hayes Carll, open for acts such as Ian McLagan of Faces and Roky Erickson, share the stage with musicians John Evans and Robert Ellis, and play just before Snoop Dogg at Houston's Free Press Summer Fest 2012.
History
Early life
Craig Kinsey was born on July 12, 1971, in Richmond, Texas, though he was raised in Houston. Early family influence instilled in him a fascination with theology and the dynamic of the 1920s and '30s traveling hobo, an educated migrant working class concurrent with traveling revival tents of the era. This led to a youth spent in focused meditation, often fasting and camping for minimalist stretches in the woods around southeast Texas until around the age of nineteen.
A desire to connect with the mendicant lifestyle of the traveling holy philosopher lead to a hitchhiking expedition from Texas to Canada, singing and preaching along the way. More hitchhiking and train hopping eventually lead him back to Texas and to an increased interest in deepening his spirituality and connection to early American music.
Monastic life
His return to the south prompted him to renew a commitment to exploring his spirituality. A search for an outlet to meditate in focus and solitude led to taking vows as a Catholic monk. He joined the Little Portion Hermitage just outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas, founded by Catholic singer/songwriter John Michael Talbot.
Kinsey would remain with the monastery for nearly five years, during which he learned much of American southern music, including the beginnings of country rock as practiced by John Michael Talbot and his time with Mason Proffit. He would eventually earn the right to travel into Eureka Springs on weekends, where he became acquainted with Melissa Carper of the Carper Family Band. Her friendship and particular brand of bluegrass performance would inform his growing desire to return to civilian life and further his musical and theological progress.
Eventually, Kinsey submitted an official request for release. After nearly five years in residence at the monastery, he was granted proper dispensation from the bishop and left for Houston to study at the University of Saint Thomas and start a band.
Education
Kinsey enjoyed a fruitful experience during his four years at the University of Saint Thomas, earning a place on the Dean's List each year and eventually graduating Magne cum laude with a joint major in psychology and philosophy. He began limited participation with the theatre department, though mostly content to observe the differences in crowd dynamics and reactions night after night. It was during this time that he met Geoffrey Muller and Scott McNeil, beginning some informal session playing.
Musical work
After considerable effort, these new acquaintances convinced Kinsey to take their newfound musical chemistry to a more public venue. The trio's time together ended up as a three-song open-mic appearance at a Montrose area bar called Helios (currently known as Avante Garden). Their first appearance inspired a nagging bartender to secure a weekly residency for the group; the growing interest attracted drummer Shane Lauder to start showing up and getting onstage with them. They began to refer to their weekly nights of bluegrass and classic blues and country cover songs as The Medicine Show, later settling on a separate moniker for the band itself, Sideshow Tramps. As original material began to surface in their regular sets, plans for recording got underway. In 2007, an album titled The Medicine Show was given a small release in Houston, documenting the group's early work.