Ken Block
Encyclopedia
Ken Block is a songwriter, guitarist and lead singer of the rock band Sister Hazel
. Ken plays acoustic guitar. He also helped produce the band's first CD in 1994. His debut solo effort Drift
was released on December 9, 2008.
A live concert album titled Live*LIVE was produced, which is a compilation of songs from the first four albums, and were recorded live in 2003 with the audience
cheering and singing along. A DVD called A Life in the Day was released the same day that shows concert footage as well as life on the road.
Block and Sister Hazel have started a charity
foundation which benefits cancer
research called Lyrics for Life. Block is extremely personable in concert, laughing and talking with the audience, adjusting the volume on speakers near children, and smiling. He also hangs out after concerts to sign autographs, take pictures, and chat with fans. Block is also co-founder of The Rock Boat
and co-owner of Soundwave Merchandise.
. He went on to obtain a college degree from the University of Florida
. He is married to writer Tracy Montgomery-Block and fathered son Chanson in 2000, daughter Marley in 2003, and daughter Alaina in 2005.
He often visits his hometown, playing personable acoustic concerts.
Sister Hazel
Sister Hazel are an alternative rock band from Gainesville, Florida, whose style also blends elements of folk rock, pop, classic rock 'n' roll and southern rock. Their music is characterized by highly melodic tunes and generally optimistic lyrics. The band's instrumentation often features abrupt...
. Ken plays acoustic guitar. He also helped produce the band's first CD in 1994. His debut solo effort Drift
Drift (Ken Block album)
Drift, released December 9, 2008, is the debut solo album by Sister Hazel's lead singer and acoustic guitarist Ken Block.-Track listing:All tracks by Ken Block except were noted#"Blue to a Blind Man" – 3:56...
was released on December 9, 2008.
Musical contributions
Block is known for a powerful and emotional voice that is both unique and quickly recognizable. Block is a critically acclaimed performer and songwriter who has written or co-written several songs that have made the Billboard charts and many others...- Sister HazelSister Hazel (album)Sister Hazel is the self-titled and first studio album by Sister Hazel. It was originally released in 1994 and re-released in 2005. It is also referred to as "White".# "Feel It" - 4:39# "Sometimes" - 5:19# "All For You" - 3:24...
(1994): "Feel It", "Sometimes", "All For You", "Will Not Follow", "One Nation", "Used to Run", "Little Things", "Space Between Us", "Don't Think It's Funny", "Running Through the Fields" (a tribute to Ken's brother Jeffrey, who lost a battle with cancer when he was only 18) - ...Somewhere More Familiar...Somewhere More Familiar-Sister Hazel:*Ken Block: Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar*Andrew Copeland: Rhythm Guitar, Harmony Vocals*Ryan Newell: Lead & Slide Guitar, Backing Vocals*Jett Beres: Bass, Backing Vocals*Mark Trojanowski: Drums, Percussion-Additional Musicians:...
(1997): "Just Remember", "Happy", "All For You", "Look To the Children", "Wanted it to Be", "Think About Me", "So Long", "Superman", "Concede", "We'll Find It", "Starfish" - Fortress (2000): "Change Your Mind", "Thank You", "Champagne High", "Beautiful Thing", "Shame on Me", "Your Winter", "Save Me", "Give In", "Out There" (written with Ken's father Al), "Velvet Elvis", "Fortress"
- Chasing DaylightChasing DaylightChasing Daylight, released in 2003, is Sister Hazel's fourth studio album.-Track listing:#"Your Mistake" - 4:09#"Come Around" - 3:56#"One Love" - 3:29...
(2003): "Your Mistake", "Swan Dive", "Come Around", "Killing Me Too", "One Love", "Sword and Shield", "Best I'll Ever Be", "Effortlessly", "Life Got In the Way", "Everybody" - LiftLift (Sister Hazel album)Lift, released in 2004, is Sister Hazel's fifth studio album.-Track listing:#"Surrender" - 3:44#"Lay It Down" - 4:34#"World Inside My Head" - 4:38...
(2004): "Surrender", "Lay It Down", "World Inside My Head", "Hold On", "I Will Come Through", "All About the Love", "Dreamers", "Another Me", "Firefly", "Green - AbsolutelyAbsolutely (Sister Hazel album)Absolutely is Sister Hazel's sixth studio album. It was released on October 10, 2006 by Adrenaline/Wandering Hazel Records. It is Sister Hazel's first album since departing from their previous record label, Sixthman. "Mandolin Moon", was the first single. The album was leaked to torrent websites on...
(2006): "Mandolin Moon", "Meet Me in the Memory", "Hey Hey", "Hello It's Me", "Tear By Tear", "Where Do You Go", "Truth Is", "One Time", "Everything Else Disappears"
A live concert album titled Live*LIVE was produced, which is a compilation of songs from the first four albums, and were recorded live in 2003 with the audience
Audience
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...
cheering and singing along. A DVD called A Life in the Day was released the same day that shows concert footage as well as life on the road.
Block and Sister Hazel have started a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
foundation which benefits cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
research called Lyrics for Life. Block is extremely personable in concert, laughing and talking with the audience, adjusting the volume on speakers near children, and smiling. He also hangs out after concerts to sign autographs, take pictures, and chat with fans. Block is also co-founder of The Rock Boat
The Rock Boat
The Rock Boat is an annual rock-themed "floating music festival at sea."The Rock Boat concept was born in 2001 with a joint venture from Gainesville, FL alternative rock band Sister Hazel and Atlanta, GA travel company Sixthman in a partial charter aboard the Carnival Jubilee. Sister Hazel was also...
and co-owner of Soundwave Merchandise.
Personal life
Block is from Gainesville, Florida, and attended Buchholz High SchoolBuchholz High School
F. W. Buchholz High School is a high school in Gainesville, Florida. Buchholz is one of seven high schools in Alachua County. Opened in January 1971, it is the largest of the public high schools in Gainesville...
. He went on to obtain a college degree from the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
. He is married to writer Tracy Montgomery-Block and fathered son Chanson in 2000, daughter Marley in 2003, and daughter Alaina in 2005.
He often visits his hometown, playing personable acoustic concerts.