RIP Mean Gene Kelton

“Mean” Gene Kelton was killed in a car accident last night. He was a Houston blues man that played Southern rock and Texas blues.

I may have met him once – but I didn’t know him.

But a few years ago, my Dad forwarded me an email that Mean Gene sent to his newsletter. I will never forget that email and wish that I would have saved it.

Gene had just played a gig at a certain dancehall in Bandera. They had informed him at the gig that there was a law that restricted how many decibels of sound were allowed at the venue. The venue owner had asked Gene to turn down so low that audience members had trouble hearing the guitar, vocals, etc.

Gene’s newsletter was first a scientific explanation about sound decibels, how to figure how much you’re emitting and how to determine whether someone’s restricting you to an unreasonable amount (as I recall, one of the comparisons was to the sound of a vacuum cleaner). It was quite impressive.

But I was more impressed by the second half of the newsletter, which was an apology to his fans. He apologized for the show that night at that dancehall. He apologized that he had compromised his show so much that he no longer sounded like himself. He apologized for not delivering a show that was worthy of Mean Gene Kelton. And he vowed that he would never do that again and that he would always rock harder than anyone.

We live in an age where art is continually compromised. Club owners want you to be a jukebox. Record labels want you to be sell-able. Music critics want you to be innovative and unique. . . . What if we could just be who we are? What if we could just make our music and not worry about who we have to please?

My heart goes out to Gene’s family and friends. And my heart truly goes out to his fans. What a refreshing experience that had to have been – to have an artist that cares so much about their music that they would not compromise it for any gig in the world. And to care so much about your fans that you wouldn’t compromise that loyalty or relationship for anything.

THAT, my friends, is TRUE artistry and truly what music is all about – the artist, the music, the fan. That’s it. All the rest is bullshit.

RIP Mean Gene Kelton.

Comments

[Chris Provost]

This is just the type of man Gene was, he stuck to his morals no matter what. Whether you were a fan or not you became a Diehard. You didn't go to see the man play his music like so many other musicians, you went for a SHOW. Whether it was his Storytellin', joke crackin', or just inherrant and infectious love for playing and entertaining the crowd you ALWAYS had a good time. I personally saw him play for over a thousand people, and for only a few on a rainy day in the Howling coyote when on 4 to 6 people showed up. It was THEN, in the SMALL crowds that he REALLY came to life showing his appreciation for his fans and love for music. He wanted to make sure, that if ONLY 5 people showed up, that those 5 people had one of the best times they EVER have, and that REALLY brought out the best in MGK. He was a father figure to me and truly re-invigorated my love for the music business that I grew up in. It was in Gene Kelton that I saw all the same qualities that I use to see in my father watching him perform. My dear friend you are loved by MANY and may all of our memories be cherished memories of you. I think it was put best by someone when they said he is now riding with the angels and working on his next book, Gigs in Paradise. For now we will have to remain vigil and I HIGHLY recommend his book Gigs From Hell. Just remember his disclaimer, the book is not politically correct or for the faint of heart, it is in TRUE MGK style straight shooting from the hip. So my friend, we love you and you will be missed, you will always be in my heart, and I will always make sure Even Meaner is safe, she knows I am only a phone call away.

[Ken Fontenot]

Very well said Chris!! So true! RIP Mean Gene.....

-Ken Fontenot