ABOUT BRIAN

Brian Kalinec is an award-winning,Texas-based Americana/folk singer-songwriter. A native of Beaumont, his writing has drawn favorable comparisons to that of Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, Rodney Crowell, and Jim Croce, and it resonates with audiences, fellow songwriters, and music lovers alike.

Brian has received significant recognition for both his songwriting and musicianship, winning contests like the Songwriter Serenade in Texas and the Big Top Chautauqua in Wisconsin, and taking second place in the Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition. He has performed at Texas' own Kerrville Folk Festival, as well as festivals and venues worldwide including England Scotland Wales, and the Czech Republic. 

His newest project, "The Beauty of it All", released in 2023, reached #9 of the EuroAmericana Chart and #16 on the FAI Folk Chart.

Nominated by the Texas Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year, Musician of the Year, and Brian has also been recognized as a three-time finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest.

Brian is also a recipient of the Texas Music Awards "My Texan Award" for his support of music and musicians of the state.  He is past-President of the Southwestern region of Folk Alliance International (SWRFA) and was recently on the boards of directors for Songwriter Serenade and HoustonLive.  Brian and his wife, Pam own Berkalin Records, a label which is home to a number of well-respected Folk and Americana artists.

In 2024 Brian and his friend Joel McColl successfully launched a new dual-city event benefitting local food banks named "Moveable Festival".  Brian also hosts his monthly Brian.at.Berkalin songwirter series which is now in its 15th year.