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electronic press kit

contact info

PHONE: (978) 877-7813

EMAIL: rd@rdkingmusic.com

LOCATION: Boston, MA

social media links

  • Facebook - Black Circle
  • Instagram - Black Circle
  • SoundCloud - Black Circle
  • YouTube - Black Circle

bio

R.D. King is an award-winning composer and performer of instrumental acoustic guitar music. Following a tumultuous childhood, King has confronted the anxiety and alienation of modern life by seeking deeper meaning, beauty, and connection through music.

 

A captivating and energetic performer, King blends guitar pyrotechnics with cinematic and evocative music. Inspired by literature, philosophy, art, and meditation, King’s pursuit of music is his deepest source of personal growth. He hopes to inspire listeners in their own journeys towards empathy, love, and self-actualization. 


King is a TEDx Cambridge performer, winner of the 2017 Canadian Guitar Festival’s International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, winner of the 2018 Walnut Valley Festival NewSong Showcase (Instrumental Category), and a finalist of the 2019 Walnut Valley Festival's International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition. He has opened for Grammy-nominated Ari Hest, Andy McKee, Liz Longley, and many others.


Born in Boston, MA, to a family of writers, musicians, and artists, King took an unconventional path towards a career in music. Despite spending most of adolescence with a guitar in hand, he planned to become an engineer or architect; his last-minute decision to attend Ithaca College’s School of Music surprised even himself. 


His debut album, vs. Self, was described as “energetic and epic” and “transformative journeys of sound” by New York Music Daily and The Deli magazine, respectively. His self-titled second album, R.D. King, was recorded with Antoine Dufour and was released in January 2019 under Candyrat Records. His latest EP Summerlast was released in May 2021.


R.D. King resides in Boston, MA, where he performs, teaches, and explores the evolution of consciousness through sound.

videos & audio

press and radio

Press:

  • Album "Summerlast" reviewed by Minor7th Magazine: "The third dazzling offering of instrumental acoustic guitar music from up-and-comer R.D. King." 

  • Album "vs. Self" reviewed by the Deli Magazine: "An album of masterfully crafted instrumentals....comprised of nine tracks of transformative journeys of sound." 

  • Debut single "Heartstring" premiered on Red Line Roots. "[King's] penchant for flair and lightning-quick fretboard work left me with my jaw on the floor."

  • Album "vs. Self" reviewed by New York Music Daily: "His style is...his own intricate, meticulous instrumental material that could be called pastoral psychedelia or cinematic folk. Either way, it’s a hell of a lot more energetic and epic than most music for the acoustic guitar."

  • Limelight Magazine. "Fingers-Blazing Instrumental Guitarist R.D. King Gears Up for CD Release on April 27."

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Radio Appearances:​

  • WATD 95.9 Almost Famous

  • WMFO 91.5 Radio Zeke

  • WEMF Citywide Blackout

  • WEMF Under the Covers

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Radio Plays:​

  • WMFO 91.5 Mike on the Mic

  • WMBR 88.1 The New Edge 

  • WMBR 88.1 Not Brahms and Liszt

  • WICN 90.5 Folk Revival

  • ZUMIX 94.9 Radio Volume/Density

  • WUMB 91.9 Local Folk with Patrick Coman

  • WCUW 91.3 Crosstracks

  • WICB 91.7

  • RadioBDC

photos

select performances

Boston Metro Area: ​​​​

  • The Spire Center, Plymouth (w/ Andy McKee and Liz Longley, on separate occasions)

  • Boston Greenfest

  • TedX Cambridge

  • The Middle East Corner, Cambridge

  • The Rockwell Davis Square Theater, Somerville

  • Thunder Road, Somerville

  • The Burren, Somerville

  • Cambridge Performing Arts Center, Cambridge 

  • Aeronaut Brewery, Somerville

  • Out of the Blue Art Gallery, Cambridge

  • Lilypad, Cambridge

  • Gallery 263, Cambridge 

  • 6B Lounge, Boston 

  • Hunneman Hall, Brookline

  • Acton Jazz Cafe, Acton

  • Main Street Cafe, Groton

  • Pepperell Music Center, Pepperell

  • The Local Table, West Acton

  • Dedham Square Coffeehouse, Dedham

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Other: ​

  • Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield KS

  • Monadnock Healing Arts Festival, Peterborough NH

  • Blue, Portland ME

  • Dogfish Bar and Grille, Portland ME

  • Rockwood Music Hall, New York NY

  • Pine Box Rock Shop, New York NY

  • The Buttonwood Tree, Middletown CT

  • Outer Space, Hamden CT

  • Shrine, New York NY

  • Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem PA

  • Sherman Showcase, Stroudsburg PA

  • The Fitzwilliam Inn, Fitzwilliam NH

  • Attitash Grand Summit Hotel, Bartlett, NH 

  • The Listening Room at Mindfull Books and Ephemera, Jaffrey NH

  • Agava, Ithaca NY

  • Hockett Performance Hall, Ithaca NY

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