About
Rich Kienle
Live acoustic guitar — Bedford, Indiana. Solo after a lifetime in bands.
20+
Bands
5
Notable Opens
40+
Years of Real Music
Solo
Now
The Story
A Lot of Stages. One Instrument.
Rich Kienle picked up the guitar in 1972 and never really put it down. What started as a teenage hobby in the Chicago suburbs became a semi-professional career by his late teens, and eventually a full-time livelihood.
He's played Memphis blues joints, Chicago clubs, Central Illinois bars, and Southern Indiana venues — adapting to every crowd, every room, and every occasion along the way. The repertoire spans rock, blues, country, folk, and more.
These days Rich is based in Bedford, Indiana, performing across Indiana, Michigan, and South Carolina. Out-of-town bookings are welcome. He's looking for regular gigs, available for duo work or to collaborate when the right band fit comes up — and the right venues that appreciate live acoustic music done right.
Career Timeline
Where He's Been
Rich played with many local popular bands before going solo.
Chicago Area
Born in '63, picked up the guitar in '72. Started playing semi-professionally as a teenager in the late '70s.
Bands
Memphis Area
Went full time in 1986. Rich honed his craft on the Memphis circuit and opened for some names you know.
Bands
Opened For
Chicago & Central Illinois
Nearly two decades of steady gigging across Illinois — clubs, venues, and everything in between.
Bands
Bedford, Indiana
Home base in Bedford, Indiana — still gigging strong. Available for duo work, open to collaboration when the right fit comes along, and always up for out-of-town bookings.
Bands
Opened For
Currently
What Rich Is Looking For
Regular Gigs
Breweries, wineries, restaurants, bars — any venue that wants live acoustic on a recurring basis.
Band & Duo Work
Played with 20+ bands across multiple states. Available for duo partnerships or to step in where the right opportunity fits — not looking to join, just to work.
Out-of-Town Bookings
North in summer, south in winter. Don't let geography stop you — reach out and ask.
Archive
Through the Years
Decades of stages, bands, and cities — a few snapshots from the road.
Get in Touch
Call or Text — Best Way to Reach Rich
Please don't rely on Facebook Messenger — it tends to be unreliable. A call or text is the best way to connect.
Rich Kienle · (812) 325-5323