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! width="36"|[[Billboard charts|Billboard US]] |
! width="36"|[[Billboard charts|Billboard US]] |
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| ''[[Symphony of Sinners & Saints (Kitt Wakeley Album)|Symphony of Sinners & Saints]]'' (album)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard Classical Crossover Chart June 5, 2021 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/classical-crossover-albums/2021-06-05/|access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=Billboard.com}}</ref> |
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| ''Symphony of Sinners & Saints'' (album)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard Classical Chart June 5, 2021 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/classical-albums/2021-06-05/|access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=Billboard.com}}</ref> |
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| ''Symphony of Sinners & Saints'' (album)<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Billboard Charts June 5, 2021|url=https://www.databasedreams.co.uk/charts/us-charts-analysis/us-billboard-charts-june-5-2021/45/ |access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=www.databasedreams.co.uk}}</ref> |
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| Hard Rock Albums |
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| ''Kitt Wakeley''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/classical-crossover-albums-artists/|title=2021 Year-End ''Classical Crossover Albums Artists |publisher= Billboard |date= |accessdate=August 6, 2022 }}</ref> |
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| 2021 Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists |
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| ''Conflicted (featuring [[Joe Satriani]]'' (single)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - March 13, 2021 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hard-rock-digital-song-sales/2021-03-13/ |access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=Billboard.com}}</ref> |
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| Hard Rock Digital Sales |
| Hard Rock Digital Sales |
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| ''Forgive Me (featuring [[Joe Satriani]])'' (single)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - May 29, 2021 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hard-rock-digital-song-sales/2021-05-29/ |access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=Billboard.com}}</ref> |
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| ''Sinners and Saints'' (single)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - May 1, 2021 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hard-rock-digital-song-sales/2021-05-01/|access-date=May 10, 2022 |website=Billboard.com}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 22:05, 8 August 2022
Kitt Wakeley | |
|---|---|
 Wakeley performing at Carnegie Hall in 2022 | |
| Born | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Other names | AudioKaoz |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) |
|
| Website | kittwakeley |
Kitt Wakeley is an American composer, songwriter, musician, and music producer best known for his songs, Conflicted, Forgive Me, and Sinners and Saints, all charting at #1 on Billboards's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales as well as charting in the top-10 Hot Hard Rock Songs.[1][2] He has released four studio albums that feature Joe Satriani, Nuno Bettencourt, Nita Strauss, Kenny Aronoff, Andy Timmons, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and London Voices, among others.[3][4][1][5]
Early life and education
Wakeley was born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up in Holdenville, Oklahoma. Wakeley, then-5 years old, and sister Tasha, then-4 years old, were removed from their home and put into the Oklahoma foster care system. "Even at that young age, we had to have each other to get through it," Wakeley said. "It was haunting, horrific times." Then the foster care system separated them. "I just remember they packed her stuff in a grocery bag, you know the typical paper bag, and I just remember her crying, me crying, they took her out the door. So, to this day, I hate the rustling paper sack," Kitt said, his face cringing. When he was 8 years old he was adopted by Jack and Linda Wakeley. Wakeley and his sister Tasha continued to search for each other for 40 years until one day Tasha reached out to Wakeley on Facebook sending him a message titled, I'm your sister.[6]
Wakeley completed his bachelor's degree in Pre-Law and Sociology and a Masters in Public Administration from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.[7]
Music career
Wakeley is a composer, songwriter, musician, and music producer whose genres have been classified as rock, hard rock, EDM, and orchestral. His professional career began at 16 years old when he was hired to write the intro for one of Oklahoma's top radio DJ's shows.[8] He wrote, produced, and recorded songs for the rock band, Mydion. They released one album, Ashes and the Angel.[9][10]
His first rock and EDM solo album, Cinematic Chaos, was released in 2013 under his pseudo-name, AudioKaoz.[8]
His third orchestral rock collection, Midnight in Macedonia (recorded in Skopje, Macedonia), featured the Macedonian Choir and Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, was released in 2015. The album was starting to gain ground when the COVID-19 pandemic brought his live performances to a halt.[11] "We started to build momentum to do more and more shows, and right before we were kind of kicking all that off for Carnegie Hall... New York shut down," Wakeley said.[2]
Wakeley released his fourth solo studio album, Symphony of Sinners and Saints,[12] recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London, with the Royal Philharmonic and London Voices.[13][14] The album tour included shows at Carnegie Hall,[5] the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma, and SXSW (South by Southwest).[15]
The first three singles from, Symphony of Sinners & Saints, hit number #1 on Billboard's, Rock Charts, with the album itself hitting #1 on Billboard's Crossover Classical and Classical charts.
Throughout his career, Wakeley has received numerous awards for his music. In 2019, at the Indie Music Awards he won awards in 8 categories including, Best New Male Artist of the Year, Best Special Live Performance, Best Instrumental Producer, Artist of The Year, and Best Instrumental Songwriter, and others. He won, Song of the Year, at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards and two JMA (Josie Awards) in 2020 for, Songwriter of the Year, and Producer of the Year. In 2021 he was inducted into the, Indie Music Hall of Fame, along with winning, Album of The Year for Symphony of Sinners and Saints.[5][11]
Selected discography
- Mydion – Ashes and the Angel[9]
- AudioKaoz – Cinematic Chaos
- Midnight in Macedonia[16]
- Symphony of Sinners and Saints[17]
Billboard charts
| Year | Song | Category | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard US | |||
| 2021 | Symphony of Sinners & Saints (album)[18] | Classical Crossover | 1 |
| Symphony of Sinners & Saints (album)[19] | Classical | 1 | |
| Symphony of Sinners & Saints (album)[20] | Hard Rock Albums | 12 | |
| Kitt Wakeley[21] | 2021 Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists | 10 | |
| Conflicted (featuring Joe Satriani (single)[22] | Hard Rock Digital Sales | 1 | |
| Forgive Me (featuring Joe Satriani) (single)[23] | Hard Rock Digital Sales | 1 | |
| Sinners and Saints (single)[24] | Hard Rock Digital Sales | 1 |
Awards
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | You Gave Me Wings | Best Instrumental Song [25] | Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Won |
| 2021 | Symphony of Sinners & Saints | Album of the Year[26] | Josie Music Awards | Won |
| 2021 | Indie Music Hall of Fame Inductee[27][28] | Indie Music Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 2021 | Forgive Me | Instrumental Song of the Year[29] | Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Won |
| 2021 | Outstanding Stage Production[30] | Josie Music Awards | Won | |
| 2020 | Musician of the Year[31] | Josie Music Awards | Won | |
| 2020 | You Gave Me Wings | Best Instrumental [29] | Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Won |
| 2019 | End of my Journey | Best Gospel Song[29] | Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Won |
| 2019 | Midnight in Macedonia | Album of the Year[32] | ISSA (Independent Singer-Songwriter Awards) | Won |
| 2019 | Closure | Best Instrumental Producer[33] | Indie Music Channel Awards | Won |
| 2018 | Closure | Best Instrumental Producer[33] | Indie Music Channel Awards | Won |
| 2019 | An Evening in Gotham | Best Instrumental Songwriter[33] | Indie Music Channel Awards | Won |
| 2019 | Closure | Best Male Instrumental Artist[33] | Indie Music Channel Awards | Won |
Personal life
Wakeley is married to Melissa Wakeley. They share four biological children together and adopted three children.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Top-40 Charts. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ a b McDonnell, Brandy. "Oklahoman Kitt Wakeley topping charts with new album 'Symphony of Sinners and Saints'". The Oklahoman.
- ^ "KITT WAKELEY THE JOURNEY TO ATTAINING THE GOLD STANDARD IN THE MUSICAL INDUSTRY". Flaunt. April 5, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Singers Room. September 24, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Oklahoma Musician Lands Spot in Indie Music Hall of Fame by Annabella Potts". 405 Magazine. August 19, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ a b "Oklahoma siblings separated as young children, find each other after 40 years, living just one mile apart". May 18, 2021.
- ^ Lee, Brxton (2021-10-06). "Kitt Wakeley, Working His Way Up in the Music Industry". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
- ^ a b "Producer/composer Kitt Wakeley Unleashes Epic Orchestral Rock sounds on "Sinners and Saints"". glidemagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
- ^ a b "Mydion - Angels and Ashes". Amazon.com.
- ^ "Kitt Wakeley Astounding the World with his Music". Deccan Chronicle. November 27, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ a b "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Singers Room. September 24, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ Cristi, A. A. "Composer Kitt Wakeley 'Symphony Of Sinners And Saints,' Out May 21". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ "MULTI-AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER KITT WAKELEY EXCLUSIVELY PREMIERES "CONFLICTED" Feat. JOE SATRIANI". Rock 'N' Load. February 26, 2021.
- ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Kitt Wakeley to Bring SYMPHONY OF SINNERS AND SAINTS To Carnegie Hall in October". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ "SXSW Schedule 2022". SXSW. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ "Kitt Wakeley - Midnight in Macadonia". iheart.com.
- ^ McDonnell, Brandy. "Oklahoma composer Kitt Wakeley tops classical charts with new album and more music news". The Oklahoman.
- ^ "Billboard Classical Crossover Chart June 5, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Classical Chart June 5, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "US Billboard Charts June 5, 2021". www.databasedreams.co.uk. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - March 13, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - May 29, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - May 1, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "HMMA Winners". Hollywood Music in Media. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Official Winner List". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ "Kitt Wakeley Teams with Joe Satriani for New Single". Eon Music UK. November 3, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ "Musician Kitt Wakeley as an EDM Legend". Spin Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Hollywood Media Music Award Winners". HMM Awards. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ "Josie Music Awards Official Winners 2021". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ "Official 2020 Winners Presentations". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ "SSA Award Winners 2019". ISSA Songwriters. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Indie Music Channel Instrumental Winners". Indie Music Channel. Retrieved May 6, 2022.