Folk singer performs ahead of FHS reunion

Terry Kitchen just loves to play music for Findlay audiences. An accomplished folk singer with a rock and roll past, Kitchen was valedictorian for the Findlay High School Class of 1976, which is holding its 45-year reunion this weekend. He'll perform from 8-10 p.m. Friday at the Anvil Whiskey Bar, 114 E. Main Cross St. The class reunion will be held Saturday at The Findlay Inn, featuring a buffet dinner and cash bar. Call the FHS Alumni Office at 419-420-7007 for more details. Upon graduation, Kitchen moved to Boston with two fellow 1976 graduates, Bill Kuhlman and Chris Peeler, "to be in a rock and roll band, basically to play in the Boston music scene," he said. The trio performed as the band Loose Ties throughout the 1980s, releasing an album and a few MTV music videos. "As people got older, the band broke up," Kitchen said, noting that Loose Ties' Facebook page is still up for anyone who would like to reminisce. Kitchen went on to find success as a solo artist in the folk and acoustic music world, releasing a dozen albums and touring the United States. His 2020 album, "Next Time We Meet," was dedicated to Kuhlman, who died of cancer in 2018. "The last time we played in public together as a band was at our last high school reunion" in 2016, Kitchen said of Loose Ties. "At that time, Bill Kuhlman was already diagnosed with lung cancer, and he passed away in 2018. So that was our last public performance." In yet another connection with the Class of '76, The Gathering — which houses The Anvil on its upper floor — was founded by classmate Mike Gardner. Kitchen recalled Gardner "used to drive us around in his van for our gigs." Gardner's wife, Robin, now runs The Gathering. Kitchen said the last time he was in Findlay was for the class's last reunion, though he still makes a point of visiting the city every couple years. He is currently celebrating his latest album, "Lost Songs," which reached No. 13 on the national folk-DJ airplay chart. Admission to Friday's concert is free. Kitchen will perform a mix of his own songs and acoustic favorites. To reserve a table, call The Anvil at 419-422-5930 or visit findlaygathering.com Griteman: 419-427-8477