Country roots

Valley Life editor

When Ken Peltier grabbed his guitar and headed to the stage of Four Corners Lounge to sit in with Kidd Country more than a decade ago, he never thought it would be the start to a wild ride that has seen him become one of Alaska's most recognized musicians, but that's exactly what has happened.

Peltier has evolved from a smoky barroom act to one of Alaska's favorite country artists, headlining such events as the Cabin Fever Reliever concert, the Alaska State Fair and even Arctic Man. But as his audience grows, Peltier is still just the same old Kenny that grew up in Palmer -- thankful for what he's got, but not about to boast about it. Despite playing bigger venues, corporate parties and large engagements constantly, you can still catch him some weekends down at Four Corners Lounge, where he's still the house band. Success is great, but it's not about to change who Ken Peltier is -- a genuine, down home guy who you can't help but be happy for.

"I never, ever expected this kind of success," Peltier said. "I am truly grateful for everything. What a trip it's already been."

One of his closest friends, Hobo Jim, said he's proud of what Peltier has accomplished.

"He's come a long way since that first CD he cut [in 1998]," Hobo Jim said. "It's great to see how Ken has stuck with it and worked at it. He's done a great job, and I'm glad he's getting some of the recognition he deserves."

His fans have taken notice, as well. At the recent Cabin Fever Reliever concert he played on the Alaska State Fairgrounds with Hobo Jim, Peltier said he was amazed at the size of the crowd. "I was up there thinking, 'What a cool feeling. I'm not the opening act. There's 600 people out there who paid good money to come see me and Jim play,'" Peltier said.

Peltier said taking the first step from playing covers in a club to stepping out on your own takes courage for musicians, but it's the only way to grow.

"Playing in clubs, you get instant gratification in two ways -- you get paid, and you get applause," Peltier said. "That's why a lot of people are content to do it. I love to be up on stage and entertaining people, but I know it's also a business, and you have to approach it that way. I learned a lot when I started The Ken Peltier Band in 1996. When you are the front man, you have to look at it as a business and look beyond that instant gratification. There are people in the band relying on you."

Everywhere he's played, Peltier has received acclaim. He's shared stages with Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Pam Tillis and other Nashville heavyweights. He goes to Nashville every so often and has developed numerous close friendships with Nashville insiders. Some say it's only a matter of time until Peltier leaves Alaska for the brighter lights and bigger stages of Nashville -- but Ken isn't taking anything for granted.

"You know, I've been going to Nashville since 1994, and honestly, it doesn't even compare to Alaska," Peltier said. "I look around and I've got a great family, a very supportive wife, 40 acres around me -- I'm very, very proud to be from here. Alaska's my home. It would have to be the right circumstances, that's for sure.

"I don't think it's inevitable because that's assuming a lot," Peltier said. "It's something I've dreamed about, yeah. I've been very persistent and I've waited my turn, but if it doesn't work out, it's still been great. I never expected any of this."

After releasing his second CD, Peltier is already putting together the next CD in his mind. He said he is focusing more on writing than he ever has before, and is excited about the progress.

"You can always be on stage and entertaining people, but writing is different," Peltier said. "I'm friends with Art Alexakis (of the band Everclear, who married a Palmer woman), and we were having dinner and talking about writing and I told him about my frustrations with it. I'd get something started, but that's about it.

"He said I was a late bloomer and that when it started coming, it would keep coming. I never looked at it like that before," Peltier said. "Now that's an area that I'm really focused on and working hard at."

Hobo Jim -- who writes music full time in Nashville -- said Peltier's writing is only going to get better.

"One song on the CD, 'When The Right One Comes Around,' is very pitchable down here," Hobo Jim said from Nashville. "It's the first time I've heard a song Ken's wrote, and he's doing great."

Peltier is planning a CD release party, although the date hasn't been set. This summer, he's hoping to perform at two charity events -- the Rainbow Connection and an event for the Children's Miracle Network -- and he already has bookings lined up for the Alaska State Fair.