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Press Shady Groove / Philly Folk Festival "...Cheers Elephant and Kyle Offidani, local bands and part of the Philadelphia Folk Co-op, both blew me away on Sunday. I had heard of Cheers, never of Kyle. But word around the folksong society was that he was an up-and-coming guitar-picking prodigy and I got a chance to experience that first hand. Kyle, a 23 year old from northern Delaware, ripped up the stage, slapping and picking and doing things to his guitar I had never seen. Especially from someone as young as him. As the rain forced many festival goers under the tent, Kyle pounded away on his guitar. The growing crowd of amazed faces cheered with excitement as he taught them all a lesson. Jaws dropped and hands clapped. Later in a conversation we remarked how a simple twist of fate had brought the rain and the crowd to fill the tent stage while he was playing... I will definitely be catching Cheers Elephant and Kyle Offidani again soon." Tri State Independent "Kyle Offidani is one lucky boy. It's not just that he gets to play his guitar and sing for people all over the country. It's not even that he gets to showcase his music at the famed Philly Folk Festival this Sunday. It's more simply that he has found something he loves to do and is totally dedicated to it. "I listened to a lot of stuff growing up, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Simon and Garfunkle, but when I first heard Tommy Emmanuel that's what did it for me. That's when I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Emmanuel the Aussie guitar wizard can certainly inspire anyone but not everyone takes inspiration and make it their life's path. I love playing my music and meeting new people." Offidani cites Austin, Texas as a sort of home away from home for him. "I always come back to Eastern Delaware but I've made a lot of great friends in Austin." One such friend is Travis Kennedy who will produce Kyle's debut record due out this winter. Until then you can check out his music via some demos on his web-site or catch him Sunday at the festival." |