Biography

Texan Brian Kalinec and Pennsylvanian Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner met by chance during one of Brian’s shows in East Texas in 2013. Later that year, they had a chance to play a few songs together and decided to perform as a duo the following year. As Kalinec & Kj, they have toured in the Northeast U.S. and in the West from Texas to Washington. Let’s Get Away, the duo’s debut, full-length studio album features a mix of nine original folk, Americana and roots country songs, along with a choice cover of Paul Overstreet & Don Schlitz’s “When You Say Nothing At All “that was previously a hit for both Alison Krauss and Keith Whitley.

"'Let's Get Away' goes down like a mimosa. There's a refreshing fizz, tasty flavor, and a bit of intoxication. Like a mimosa, you'll want to enjoy it many times." —Rich Warren—Retired Host, The Midnight Special, WFMT (Chicago)

“Sharing writing credits and vocals … Brian and Kj match up very well and complement each other’s songs” - Tom Tranchilla, host of Songwriter Studio on KPFT (Houston, TX)

“This may very well be the best album of 2021!!! Harmonies, melodies, songs are all powerful and heartfelt. You’ll want to listen to these songs over and over again” - Jon Stein, host of Hootenanny Café on WTBQ (Warwick, NY)

Currently president of the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) and a past president of the venerable Houston Songwriters Association, Brian Kalinec has been a performing songwriter for more than 20 years. Staffan Soldy, a reviewer for Sweden’s Rootsy, describes him as “a combination of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, James Taylor, and Rodney Crowell in the stories he tells,” while Robert Bartosh of Roots Music Reports hails him as “one of the most creative songwriters from the Texas music scene.” A descriptive and poignant songwriter, Brian has been a winner in the Songwriter Serenade in Texas and the Big Top Chautauqua in Wisconsin and took second place in the Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition. A recipient of the “My Texan” Award at the 2012 Texas Music Awards for his support of the music and musicians of the state, Brian has produced a number of projects for other artists in addition to his own CDs. He and his wife Pam own Berkalin Records, an indie label whose roster features a number of well-respected singer-songwriters.

A full-time touring singer-songwriter, Kj Reimensnyder-Wagner has performed across the U.S. and the UK as a solo artist and along with others including Dougie MacLean, Ted Vigil and Steve Weisberg at noted venues and festivals including the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen Colorado, and in Scotland at the Killin Music Festival and the legendary Taybank's Real Music Bar in Dunkeld. She is also a recognized educator who presents keynotes, workshops, assemblies and residencies, and has mentored hundreds of teachers and students through story, song and songwriting. Her joy of teaching special needs children has taken her across the Atlantic, where she mentors in traditional schools throughout Scotland. . Kj has received several distinguished honors for educational songwriting from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture in the Classroom (NAITC) and The Visionary Award from Danville, PA’s Child Development Center.

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