| Kip
Carmen started his career as a musician and songwriter in
the mid 1960's. A Montauk Indian, Kip's family, in an effort
to preserve the rich culture and traditions of their people,
introduced him to the ways of the reservation Indian. Kip
worked as a dancer with the shows held at the Shinnecock Indian
Reservation on Long Island. Although he was only 7 years old
at the time, he was not too young to realize his love was
entertaining people. He worked with the show for 5 years.
At the
age of 14, Kip felt ready to take some of what he had learned
and apply it to his own brand of music. He put together
a group of young musicians and within a few years attained
local success in his hometown of Huntington, Long Island.
His musical talent did not go unnoticed and upon High School
graduation, Kip was asked to audition for a position as
a section leader in the United States Military Academy Band
at West Point. He was one of over 300 young men anxious
for the opportunity to work with such an outstanding orchestra.
Kip got the position and for 3 years worked with one of
the finest bands in the world. It was here that he developed
the poise and self-assurance necessary for success in the
entertainment industry.
In the
early 1970's Kip was signed by Hi-Records, a Memphis based
record company. He cut two successful singles and later
two albums. Many years of road touring followed. During
those hectic years he came into contact with some of the
finest musicians in the country, including Cornell Dupree
and Jimmy Allen Smith from the band Stuff, with whom Kip
collaborated on his two albums. During the 1960's and 1970's,
Kip opened for acts such as Neil Diamond, Maxine Brown,
B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tanya Tucker, the James Cotton
Blues Band, the Brecker Brothers, Anne Murray, and the Fabulous
Platters.
In
the 1980's and 1990's Kip found a solid place for himself
as a musician, working for some of the top orchestras on
Long Island and in New York City, and leading his own very
fine orchestra as well. During this time Kip opened for
acts such as James Cotton, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows,
and the Stink Band featuring Peter Aykroyd, John Belushi,
and Donald "Duck" Dunn. In a true high point in
his career, Kip opened for Albert King at U.S. Blues in
Roslyn, N.Y. in 1984. |
