From choir to front and center, Kelly Houston is celebrating 50 years on stage with his musical performance “Tuneslinger: 50th Anniversary Tour de Force” this weekend in Chico.
Houston is a seasoned performer and a proud member of Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA, with more than 60 stage musicals and plays to his credit. His career also spans voiceover work, narration and symphony orchestra performances.
Houston is a seasoned performer and a proud member of Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA, with more than 60 stage musicals and plays to his credit. His career also spans voiceover work, narration and symphony orchestra performances.
“I call myself a tuneslinger, because that's what I've been doing,” Houston said.
His magnetic voice will take over the Eagles Event Hall this Saturday for a show he’s been preparing for five years.
“It is the first time it's coming into fruition because I've been working by myself, and it changes, I'm working from a library of about 45 songs that I've been working on,” Houston said.
Career beginnings and army years
Houston embarked on his musical journey at the age of 10, when he began singing with a boys choir in his hometown of Washington, D.C.
“Through high school, I played sousaphone in the band and the orchestra, and then did musicals the years that I was able to,” Houston said, “after that, I went into the army.”
Stationed in South Korea, he was one of two individuals tasked with handling cutting-edge, solid-state electronics equipment. This gear allowed generals to conduct top-secret conversations.
“Theater really hasn't come back since then, a lot of things haven't, they've gone on to something else."— Kelly Houston, performer
Next to his barracks was a special services theater, where he performed in plays like “1000 Clowns” and “The Odd Couple.” He even co-founded a rock band.
“With my band ‘Celebration,’ we called ourselves, and once a week we would play at the officers’ club,” Houston said. “As we got to be more known, we were asked to play in the Air Force and for the Navy.”
Creativity during COVID
When the world shut down in 2020, Houston found time to stay creative.
“When it first happened, I was alarmed. I was asking, What am I going to do? I said, I'd better do something,” Houston said. “So I just started getting tracks and just vocalizing by myself.”
He started performing with custom-made instrumental tracks to keep his skills sharp. Little did he know he was slowly prepping for what would become his new show.
“I really came to enjoy not having to do anything and to have my spirit to myself and to be able to do some self-work,” Houston said.
He added that while there were some positive creative developments during the pandemic, the arts and theater are still suffering from its damaging effects.
“Theater really hasn't come back since then, a lot of things haven't, they've gone on to something else,” Houston said.
50 years of love and music
After years of toying with the idea of a solo show, the main attraction is finally here.
Houston is to take the stage as he puts the finishing touches in place.
“I just turned 77, and I figure I'm in my fourth quarter, doing all my self-work, looking back at myself in retrospect, I have 26-year quarters, and I'm into my fourth quarter now, and I'm excited about what this new life is going to be,” Houston said.
“I remember when at our 25th, one of our friends in the Castro said, ‘25 years, you don't get that long for murder.”— Kelly Houston, performer
The 50th anniversary celebration stems from two significant milestones. First, it marks 50 years since he adopted Kelly Houston as his stage name.
Second, it also commemorates the 50-year union between him and his partner Victor Robin.
“I remember when at our 25th, one of our friends in the Castro said, ‘25 years, you don't get that long for murder,’” Houston recalls.
While this show won’t be strictly autobiographical, Houston said many of the songs will delve into themes of relationships, the discovery of love, and the inherent complexities of such bonds.
“Our life together takes priority over my career, which might have something to do with a lot of times, not pursuing it,” Houston said.
He’s tight-lipped about the setlist, but he said to expect a mix from John Prine to The Magnetic Fields.
“I've always been comfortable taking life as it comes, and with the firm understanding that nothing has ever not worked out,” Houston said. “And there are a lot of times when I had to keep reminding myself of that fact.”
