Kent Going Back to Thurs. Open Mike!

April 9th, 2011
By Travis L. Trill
The KK Admirer


Much to the delight of metro Detroit singer-songwriters, Kent Koller has announced his return to open mike hosting, this time on Thursdays.  Let us not forget that Kent's first open mike was on Thursdays, at the locally legendary Xhedos Cafe in Ferndale.  Xhedos Cafe hosted open mikes up to 5 nights a week for over 10 years, and was a pivotal player in the songwriter scene from 1996 until closing it's doors in 2006. 

Kent is returning this time at a new type of venue, far away from the "caffeine circuit", called Rochester Mills Brewery, located in downtown Rochester, Michigan.  This time around, he has the use of a full stage, with intentions to, "graduate all the coffee house performers to a more genuine venue atmosphere".   Admittedly, this is a different environment from the intimacy of a coffeehouse, but the possibilities to grow this into a new cornerstone for original music, and a quality open mike, is something desperately needed in Oakland County, greater metro Detroit, and particularly Rochester. 

Known amongst his peers for having superior care, etiquette, sound quality, and professionalism while hosting an open mike, Kent is sure to have success anywhere he's allowed to stick his foot in his mouth.  In case you didn't know, he thrives on twisted humor, stupid jokes, and misquoting famous quotes.  And sometimes he'll even write his own press releases...

Every Thursday, 8:00pm-11:00pm -- artist sign-up : 7:30pm near stage - maximum of 20 acts

New Album Rumored?

September 29th, 2010
Natari Shardanian
National Bench Press


Recent rumors in the "in circle", in and around the "in" crowd informed us of an upcoming possible new album being recorded by Kent Koller.

Our sources at kentkoller.com have not yet officially released a statement but we will keep you informed.

CELEBRITY ALERT: Kent Koller was also recently seen having coffee with Demi Moore in downtown Rochester, much to the dismay of Asht "the Past" Kutcher.

"Voices" Album Premiere - Sat. June 12th, 2010

May 17th, 2010
By Elvis Presley
Associated Press Writer (from above)

THE WAIT IS OVER!!!! 

Kent Koller has officially announced the date of his new album premiere.  "Voices" will be for sale for the first time at Goldfish Tea Room, home of Kent's Friday Night Open Mike, on Saturday June 12th, 2010.   He will be performing most of the album that evening, along with assorted opening acts which have yet to be announced.

Kent's representatives have confirmed with US Weekly, that Kent did not have a nose job recently and the album will contain 5 tracks, each with a delicate balance of nuance, taste, and pure, unadulterated sexiness.

We have not confirmed if Kent will have Officially Licensed "Kent Koller panties" for sale, but the rumors strongly suggest that they'll be available behind closed doors (but they might be glass doors).

So mark your calenders folks!  Who knows how many albums Kent will release before he retires.  Do you really want to miss this show?

SATURDAY JUNE 12th, 2010 - Goldfish Tea Room - 8pm
$10.00 suggested donation (cheap!) w/ free CD

3rd Annual B.B.King Ticket Contest

For the third consecutive year, Kent Koller is giving away tickets for the B.B. King concert taking place on February 16th, 2010 at the glorious Fox Theater in Detroit.  So bring your best dress folks.

Even in times of economic turmoil, Kent has reached into his pocket to make one lucky person very happy.  This year there is one ticket up for grabs, which is in the 2nd row!  Kent will also provide transportation and dinner for the lucky winner.

All you have to do is answer one simple question.  To enter go to www.myspace.com/kentkoller

Friday Night Open Mike - Goldfish Tea Room

January 5th, 2010
(reported by: Chuck Norris)

After a brief hiatus, Kent Koller officially announced at his weekly news-conference, that  his award winning open mike will be continuing, starting January 8th, 2010.

Friday Night Open Mike - 8-11pm - Royal Oak

Goldfish Tea
117 West 4th Street
Royal Oak MI 48067

sign-up 6:00pm - (248) 541-5252



Here's what the critics are saying:

"A unique 'listening' environment which encourages growth for new artists, and respect for the experienced ones."  Open Mic Digest

"With enough demand to fill up to 16 performers in a night?  And it's free?  Kent is doing something right."  Songwriters of Detroit Rehab Clinic 

"Friday Night Open Mike has candles, can lights, outboard reverb, 16-channel mixer, 3 mics (one of which is a Neumann ksm105), two guitar cables, floor monitor, and Kent actively mixes each performer.  Did we mention Kent Koller plays music too?"  Rolling Scone Magazine

"Alvarez Yairi WY-1 has a Kent Koller guitar...strike that, reverse it."  Willy Wonka

"One of the worst humorists of all time, timelessly lame jokes...which says a lot coming from us."  MAD Magazine

"We proudly support him."  Cheez-It® Baked Snack Crackers

New Kent Koller 5-song EP!

November 29th, 2009
(Thames Jompson,  World News)

The rumors are true.  Kent Koller will be releasing a new 5-song EP in early spring of 2010.

According to Koller's management, N.A.S.A. Records, the album will be entitled "Voices".  But they declined further comment.  We can only presume there will a wealth of vocal activity if we are to take the title literally.  But you never know with Kent Koller. 

We will keep a close eye and inform you on further developments.

Trixies Coffee House Closed

October 25th, 2009
(Blaga Popova, Associated Press)

Announced recently is the closing of one of the finest coffee-house venues in the Metro-Detroit area.  It has been open for nearly 8 years and served up some of the most legendary open mikes and singer/songwriter performances in local history.

Kent Koller regrettably wasn't able to attend the last open mike/last day of business.  He was playing a show.

But he has offered these words:

"At Trixies Coffee House I witnessed some of the best singer/songwriters that I've ever heard.  It was a mainstay for years, a lynch pin, in the open-mike community and family.  I had always considered Xhedos and Trixies as the two pillars of the open mike community.  I've made many friends and have had many shows there.  It's really sad to hear it will be closed, but let's cross our fingers that it might live again."

Kent Koller to Host Friday Open Mike

It's official.

Kent is now hosting his award winning open mike, every Friday Night at Bean & Leaf Cafe in downtown Royal Oak, Mi.

It runs from 7:30-10:30pm.  All performers receive 10% off of drink purchases.

Sign-up begins at 6:00pm each Friday - call (248) 586-9602

WIN B.B. KING / BUDDY GUY TICKETS!

For the second consecutive year, Kent Koller is giving away 2 free B.B. King tickets for a show at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.  Buddy Guy is opening for Mr. King.

The date of the event is February 16th, 2009.

Dinner with Kent and travel arrangments will be provided throughout the evening.

All you have to do is follow these simple instructions.  No strings attached.  Just hooks.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTRY

IF you do not have a MYSPACE account, you may answer here

Kent Koller Hosts Open Mike

Kent Koller is now entering his 2nd year as the host of Metro-Detroit's  premiere open mike.  He is within a lineage of hosts that have included some of the best singer-songwriters in the area.

Kent hosts Thursday evenings (8pm-11pm), at A.J.'s Cafe in downtown Ferndale, formerly the home of Xhedos Cafe.  Xhedos started a tradition of having the best listening, and highest caliber open mikes since 1996.  After an ownership change in 2007, A.J.'s Cafe is continuing the tradition of excellence.  Open mikes are currently running every Tuesday (host: John Finan), Wednesday (host: Ted Berlinghoff), and Thursday. 

If you wish to sign up, call A.J.'s cafe at 6pm, the day of the open mike.  248) 399-3946

Kent Koller , Emily Rose, and Amen Cowboy

A trio of Michigan musical performers will be emphasizing their emotional and diverse singer-songwriter talents at a concert Saturday, December 13 at the Karen Joy Theater at Upland Hills. Kent Koller, Emily Rose, and the group Amen Cowboy will be performing separate sets that will bring audiences along a journey of music with folk, psychedelic, jazz, and rock aspects in the comfortable setting of the theater auditorium. The musicians are well known throughout the community supporting original music in the Detroit area, though this program is a rare combination of the three acts on the same bill. As distinct as each artist's work is from the other, the juxtaposition of the three acts provides textural variations that listeners will appreciate. These performers are well known from a variety of club appearances, as well as through their recordings, and among them have several years of public performing. Both Rose and Koller have new CD releases currently available, and all of the musicians have ties to the area. Upland Hills School is an appropriate hosting site for these reflective creative talents, as the Northern Oakland County destination offers the sensory enhancement of its natural setting and social habitat. The site is at 2575 Indian Lake Road in Oxford MI, which is accessible from M-24, Rochester Road, and other routes (see http://www. karenjoytheatre. org/contactus. htm for more) and is within minutes of the Rochester area. The December 13 concert will begin at 7:00 PM, and admission is $5.00 per person. Links to the performers, with streaming music samples, may be found at www. myspace. com/kentkoller, www. myspace. com/rose4emily, and www. myspace. com/amencowboy.

Kent Koller MAJOR LABEL CD RELEASE!

Kent Koller Incorporated and NASA Records are pleased to announce the release of the self-titled "Kent Koller" album.

Perhaps the most anticipated musical release of the decade, "Kent Koller", with his 3-piece electric band, is breaking the musical manufacturing mold. Originality might actually be his middle name. Kent Originality Koller. Or maybe he should name the backing band "Originality"...Kent Koller and Originality. Oh well. I'll talk to the publicist.

Sean Z (see top friends) will be releasing his album as well. Sean Z is perhaps the best original blues guitarist in Detroit, and he is "living the dream, baby". This is a dual CD release concert.

WHEN and WHERE:

A.J.'s Cafe
240 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale MI, 48220
starting at 9pm
$5 tickets will be available at AJ's starting May 22, 2008.
$8 at the door. Seating is extremely limited.
Press passes and backstage/afterparty passes available upon request.