Forward
Thrust
Kenny Gilchrist
picked up his first guitar at age 11. He was a quick learner, as his
guitar teacher earnestly discovered. Soon after, the youngster went
on to learn harmonica and flute. At present day, besides his main
instrument of guitar (both acoustic and electric), 
Kenny
has added accordion, mandolin, bass guitar, lap steel, classical guitar,
melodica, and assorted percussion to his repetoire of instruments!
He graduated from SUNY in Binghamton, NY with a BA in music theory.
During these college years, he played guitar for the jazz ensemble;
which, among many places, also performed in Puerto Rico!
During his teen years, Kenny Gilchrist met Ron Clark, both natives
of Binghamton, NY. Ron was four years younger, and jumped at the chance
to "audition" at Kenny's house with the older and more experienced
musician. The two soon became close friends. They jammed together
many times while growing up. Then, in 1985, they decided to form a
band. With Kenny on guitar and harmonica, and Ron on drums, they decided
that the first thing they needed would be a singer. So, they put an
ad in the newspaper and waited.
Gail Gilchrist, of nearby Apalachin, NY, had spent her youth singing
in the school choir, county choir, and church choir. She saw the ad
in the newspaper, and although a bit nervous and apprehensive, she
responded to it. Although she was inexperienced singing in a rock
band, Kenny saw her potential. Now to get a bass player and a keyboard
player, and the band would be on their way!
After months of auditioning bass and keyboard players, the three came
up empty handed. In the meantime, Ron became restless and was invited
to join up again with his old heavy metal band. So, with a friendly
depature, the three became two.
Kenny and Gail decided to see if they could join some local bands
that were already existing. They spent about one year performing with
various local bands, but Kenny wanted more..to write and record his
own tunes. So, he convinced Gail that forming a duo would not only
earn them a living, but would also be lots of fun.
They put
the duo together with Kenny on guitar, harmonica, and vocals; and
Gail on vocals, percussion, and some keyboard (which Kenny taught
her how to play!).
Their
idea was to perform locally and mostly on the weekends, but within
the first month of performing in Binghamton, an agent saw them and
asked them if they'd like to put their show on the road.
Over
the next few years, they performed at various nightclubs, hotels,
and resorts throughout the eastern and midwestern United States. This
road experience proved to be quite valuable, ensuring that they become
seasoned live performers, as well as giving them time to grow and
write together.
In the
summer of '88, they decided to stop touring and settled in Nashville,
TN. It was in Nashville that they began to build their recording studio
and record their compositions.
Then,
in April of '90, they decided to move again. This time to Louisville,
KY. They continued to write, record, and play live. They heard of
a national competition which they decided to enter called Pizza Hut's
New Sounds '91. Bob Guccione, Jr., the guest of honor at the ceremony,
awarded them with a merit finalist certificate for their song, "The
Hands of Time". Then, on June 3rd of '91, Kenny and Gail got
married at The Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville.
In
February of '92, Kenny and Gail decided to move once again. This time
they chose Allentown, PA. Allentown looked desirable to them since
it was centrally located to many cities which meant alot of gigs.
And, sure enough, Kenny and Gail have been performing full time in
PA, NJ, NY, and DE since their move to Allentown, as well as continuing
with their writing and recording. And since Allentown is only a couple
of hours from Binghamton, NY, they could get their longtime friend,
Ron Clark, to record and arrange the drums!!
The duo finally found a home in the Lehigh Valley where they could
live their lives just the way they always dreamed of...plenty of rooms
to work in, a little bit of country as well as a little bit of city,
wonderful people to make friends with, and all for a reasonable cost
of living! In addition, since their move to Allentown, the duo has
appeared on several local television shows including Phil Stahl's
Starlight Stage on PCTV (Public Channel Television), and Sam Lesante's
Spotlight Talent Show out of Hazleton, PA.
Forward
Thrust continues performing live and working in their studio producing
high quality recordings. They released their first full length CD,
Forward Thrust "Spinning Tales", in May of 2000. 
Multi-talented
Kenny played all of the instruments on the CD himself; while Gail
sang most all of the lead and background vocals. And, of course, they
brought in longtime friend Ron Clark on drums. The entire CD was written,
recorded, engineered, produced, and mastered by Forward Thrust.
In October of '02, the duo performed at the 4th Annual Lehigh Valley
Music Awards. Their song, "Fire In Your Eyes" (from their
Spinning Tales CD), was chosen as one of the best of the Lehigh Valley
Music Awards, and was included on the LVMA CD 1, along with 17 other
original compositions from the area's bands/musicians.
At their
live shows, Forward Thrust performs a variety of music from classic
to modern rock...Rolling Stones, Doors, Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd...right
up to Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, Garbage,
Tom Petty, Santana, and much, much more!! And, of course, they perform
many of their own compositions.
Check 'em out!!
Contact:
Forwardthrust@yahoo.com
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