As the composer and voice behind the theme song from the Oscar-nominated UP IN THE AIR movie starring George Clooney and directed by Jason Reitman, St. Louis singer/songwriter Kevin Renick was catapulted to an unusual brand of fame in 2009 thanks to the unconventional way he became involved in Reitman's movie (via a cassette tape and a remarkably serendipitous tale of being laid off from an advertising job himself before the movie started filming). What followed was a whirlwind of attention: appearances on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and numerous TV programs in his hometown St. Louis; articles in the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, the Los Angeles Times, St. Louis Magazine, the Riverfront Times and many others; and blogs around the world. Renick also launched a recording career. His appearance on Rhino Records' UP IN THE AIR soundtrack was followed by a pair of self-released CDs: CLOSE TO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL in 2010 and COME ON DOWN in 2011. In 2013, Renick released his most diverse platter yet, UNDER THE WISHING TREE, which contained the rousing, anthemic "Figure Out" (a composition that was awarded "Song of the Month" by the Akademia Music Awards in early 2016) and "Goodbye Typewriter," which became Kevin's first official music video, directed by St. Louis auteur Wolfgang Lehmkuhl. The video was featured in the 2014 Wizard World (Comic Con) Film Festival. In 2017, Renick released his long-gestating 5th recording CLEAR THE WAY, which features the popular internet songs "Fast and Off" and "Rescue Them" (an animal rescue anthem). The disc also includes one of the last songs produced by Springfield's legendary Lou Whitney before he passed, "Just Movin' On." Poignantly, this song also features the only studio guitar performance by Rick Haegg, Renick's childhood friend who also died not long after the session. Renick performs shows regularly around St. Louis and neighboring cities, varying from duo and trio formats to a full rock & roll band. He has played at the legendary Sheldon Concert Hall, Off Broadway, Delmar Hall, Blueberry Hill, The Old Rock House, Sky Music Lounge, Schlafly Tap Room, Oak Glenn Winery in Hermann, Chandler Hill Vineyards, The Chapel and many other venues. Renick also performed at the Nashville Songwriter's Festival in June 2011. He appeared on the popular MYSTERY HOUR television show in Springfield, MO in fall of 2012. Renick's original songs, over 260 so far, deal with the timeless themes of love, friendship, loss and growing up. MTV News has called Renick's journey “one of the best true-life success stories we've heard lately.” The international film magazine EMPIRE, published in the U.K., chose Renick's “Up in the Air” song as #5 on their list of “Best Movie Songs of 2010.” Another movie song, "Ballad of the American Farmer," was commissioned for a documentary about agribusiness called "In The Interest of National Security." Things keep getting busier for this rising singer/songwriter, who is often compared to Neil Young with both his vocal style and his tunes. In fact, Renick fronts a Neil Young tribute band called Shakey Deal in St. Louis, whose authentic sound has led some fans to call them "one of the best tribute bands ever." Renick's continuing interest in film and television work has led to discussions with local filmmakers, with at least one project not far from completion. An ambient collaboration with Walter Whitney of Sullivan, MO should see release in 2021, along with another collection of original songs. Renick has said that he's out to craft a career that's "full of surprises." The pandemic of 2020 slowed a few things down, but the musical ideas never stop coming for this acclaimed musician.
