User:Paden91/sandbox

Kirk Joshua Baxley is a rock singer from Texas, United States. The four time nominee for "Best Frontman and Vocal Performance" in the Dallas Observer and three time nominee for "Best Frontman" in the Austin Chronicle are a testament to his talent and charisma.

Early life
At age 6, Baxley began doing Elvis impersonations with his family backing him musically. Baxley has credited "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" to how he works a crowd and fronts a band. At the age of 11, he began to play guitar as a self taught musician. At the age of 15, he joined his first band, the Moondogs, a Beatles cover band. At the age of 16, he joined his second band called Plumbline, in which he played percussion and guitar and sang background vocals. Two members of Plumbline and Baxley decided to branch off and form their very own band called Unveiled.

This band would be the foundation laid for the musical and spiritual experiences to come. Baxley toured and played many dates with this band until the age of 19 when he felt called into youth ministry in Salado, Tx. For a year and a half, he stayed involved in youth ministry until the calls from youth events, churches, etc., were too overwhelming to ignore and he felt truly called to step back into the music business.

1997–2000: Unveiled
Unveiled started playing together in 1997. They released one cassette tape entitled "Blush" recorded and produced by Baxley's uncle Richard Schrimscher, and one self titled cd/album in 2000. They toured regionally playing youth events, youth rallies, Church services, etc... Baxley was one of the two singers in the band. Also in the band, was Drummer James Culpepper of the band Flyleaf. Other members were Aaron Carder, Benny Love, Brad Johnson, and Robert "Bob-O" Cabla.

2001–2006: Greatness In Tragedy
Greatness In Tragedy was originally formed in Belton, Texas. Although the lineup may have changed a little over the years, Baxley remained the front-man for the bands entirety. The band's sound captures the intensely flamboyant 70s classic rock feel. The band released one self titled album produced by David Castell. Justin Furstenfeld, of Blue October, produced and sang background vocals on the song entitled "Give" on the Debut album. During these tours, Baxley was invited to feature on the Blue October album "Foiled" where he sang background vocals on the song "Drilled a Wire Through My Cheek."

"Drilled a Wire Through My Cheek" was also included on the Saw III soundtrack and features guest vocals by Baxley. It is the "heaviest" track on the album because of its masochistic themed lyrics.

During the summer of 2006 Greatness In Tragedy broke up so that members of the group could "pursue other things" (sic).

2000–2001, 2007-2008: Kirk Baxley and The Buckshot Jones
The band recorded one seven song EP at Baby Steps Productions Studios and never released the material. The band toured regionally for a year before Baxley left to pursue other options.

2007–2012: Mothers Anthem
Formed in 2007, the band toured regionally and on a national level developing a devoted fan base. In late 2007, the band signed a management deal with Jeff Peters of Maple Jam Music Group out of Los Angeles, CA, and continued to tour. In 2009 MA recorded a studio album produced by David Castell titled "Save The Fallen." The album included twelve studio tracks and a live performance track of the song "Amaze Me" from the included live performance DVD entitled "An Evening With Mothers Anthem." In late 2009, while touring through Portland, OR the band recorded a five song demo with singer/song writer/producer Rob Daiker. After touring "Save The Fallen" nationally in 2011 MA recorded a new EP "The Death Of Me" with producer Dwight Baker that was never released..

2012–2016 Kirk Baxley (band)
During this four year period, Baxley toured regionally and nationally and had a rotating cast of musicians, releasing three albums. Baxley returned to his roots with honest song-writing matched up with a raw, gospel influenced voice. On his first two EPs during this time, Baxkey wrote and recorded with his band and tracked those albums at EMP Studios with producer/engineer Tycer Whaley in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2016, with the help of his fan base, Baxkey and his management at the time Vision Entertainment, were able to raise over twenty thousand dollars to help release "The Pain We Bring." The album was produced by Chad Mauldin and recorded at Kiepersol Studios in Bullard,Texas. In 2016, the Kirk Baxley band performed and received "Best Country Band of the year" award in Waco, Texas at the MACT Groovy Award Ceremony. In early May 2017 the band toured with Danny Worsnop's (Asking Alexandria) side prodject.

May 29, 2016: Vocal surgery
Baxley received word, after many check-ups, that he had a polyp and a hemorrhage on his left vocal chord. Baxley finished the production of the album "The Pain We Bring" and opted for Laser vocal surgery. Baxley underwent speech therapy and vocal therapy for six months and began tour dates. Baxley did not feel the same vocally and struggled through a 50 date radio tour. Baxley played one last show with his band at Johnny's Outback in Salado, Texas, with Pat Green on August 5, 2017. On stage that night, Baxley stated "It's been an incredible Journey. After my vocal surgery I don't feel the same and I think it's time to hang it up. God Bless you guys and I'm very thankful for your support."