Curt Shoemaker

Recognised as an accomplished steel guitarist, Curt Shoemaker was born April 2, 1952, in Beloit, Kansas.

He spent his childhood on a farm near Ionia, Kansas where family music was a major influence. Shoemaker’s music career started early in his life at the age of 6. Curt performed with his mother at local community events. Later he began to play various instruments with local bands. After high school, he purchased his first steel guitar and began his career as a professional musician. After some years with Midwest bands, he moved on to Nashville for a short time. After leaving Nashville, Curt moved to Branson, Missouri where he played for a variety of shows and several artists including The Brumley Show, Vance Greek, The Texans, The Ozark Opry, Boxcar Willie, and ETC.

In the mid-’90s, Shoemaker returned to Kansas and took a job with KFRM Radio, Salina/Wichita as bandleader for the radio roadshows. Presently he lives in Ionia, Kansas where he writes songs and performs his music in many cities across the United States. Shoemaker has become one of the most sought after studio steel guitarists. His unique creativity and ideal tone can be heard on four of his own instrumental recordings and on countless recordings of other artists. A number of Curt’s recorded songs have become #1 instrumental hits.”

Curt has been invited to play many steel guitar shows and conventions such as the renowned International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. His resume also includes appearances in Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, and Arkansas. Throughout the year, Shoemaker works many live shows and concerts with national acts and well-known regional performers including Stonewall Jackson, Leona Williams, Claude Gray, Jean Shepard, Norma Jean and Les Gilliam. His versatility is a compliment to any stage.

 

Recent achievements…

2007 – Inducted into the Kansas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame
2008 – Charter four number one Instrumental Hits
2009 – Named number one in the Top 100 Artist List of Radioactive Airplay
2010 – Inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Association Hall of Fame
2010 – Received the Instrumental Album of the Year Award from the National Traditional Country Music Association
2011 – Inducted into the Nebraska Country Music Foundation Hall of Fame
2012 – Inducted into the Iowa Country Music Hall of Fame Curt Shoemaker is a lifelong musician who has shared his music with many friends and fans across the United States and the world. With his smooth and fluent style, Curt is a respected musician and he never fails to inspire and impress all listeners and fellow players alike.

In 2015, Curt released a new 12-track instrumental album “Wonderful Tonight”. The album includes a cover of The Shadows’ 60s guitar instrumental “Apache”, and the self-penned track “Amaris” – a Latin word meaning “you are loved”.

It was followed in 2016 by “In Grand Style”. The ten easy listening steel guitar instrumentals include “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” and Curt’s version of “Knock Three Times”.

Then, in 2017, Curt released “The Gentle Path”. The collection of steel guitar instrumentals range from the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” to Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” with a lot of great songs in between. As you walk the Gentle Path, let Curt Shoemaker provide the perfect musical accompaniment to your journey.

Curt’s 2018 album “Summer Sunday” followed the death of his father Harold Shoemaker who was a significant supporter of his music. The 10-track collection features several songs on a sunshine theme as well as the standard “Can’t Help Falling In Love”.

In 2019, Curt released the album ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ featuring another ten great songs played in his unmistakably smooth and unique style. The album includes ‘Looking For Love’ and ‘Margaritaville’.

The album “Out And About” was released in 2021. The album includes “Distant Drums” and “He’s So Fine”.