Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

High Country Local Musician Spotlight: Klee Liles

Story by David Brewer

Note: Over the next few weeks, High Country Press will feature High Country musicians who perform regularly, but often without the fanfare afforded to touring acts. These players provide entertainment at local bars and restaurants week in and week out and it’s high time you get to know these people.

Perhaps more than any working musician in the High Country during the last 15 years, multi-instrumentalist Klee Liles has maintained a continuous performing schedule that continues to keep him shuffling to and from stages in the area. From solo acoustic gigs to holding down the bass slot in multiple outfits, the Carroll County, Va. native is a pro.

Liles made his first appearances in the High Country as a solo performer, taking the stage in the early days of the now defunct Caribbean Café in 1992, when, the musician says, “the wings were still good.” After moving to Nashville in 1995 to pursue studio and road work as a bass player, Liles continued to perform frequently in Boone, as well as throughout North Carolina.

“I was already establishing myself in the area before I moved here,” said Liles.

Liles’ frequent trips to Boone also led to a relationship with local resident Carol Lea Hodges. In an unexpected turn of events, the house in Music City where Liles was living at the time sold during the middle of winter, leaving the working musician without a home.

“[Carol Lea] said, ‘Why don’t you just move to Boone until you get your ducks in a row?’” said Liles. In February 1998, Liles landed in Boone to stay and has been performing here ever since.

After firmly planting himself in Boone, Liles married Hodges and began further immersing himself in the local music scene. He continued to pick up solo gigs around town and also landed the bass player slot in the skilled wedding band Laditude with Ken and Amy LaDeroute.

“I enjoy [Laditude] gigs as much as anything. I get to sing a little; I get to play bass; we play jazz and pop and disco,” said Liles. “Musically speaking, it’s one of the best bands I’ve ever been in. We can do it all.”

Liles also added to his resume in 2007 with the formation of a funky new band project working under the name Groove Gypsies. Featuring the talents of guitarist and vocalist Sarah Evans, keyboardist and vocalist Glenn Hubbard and drummer Wes Powers, Groove Gypsies consistently aims to play highly involved rock and pop songs not often attempted by lesser bar bands.

Other collaborators who have shared the stage with Liles over the years include Todd Wright, Andy Page, Nik Hope, Ben Bjorlie, Rusty Blanton, Don Vallarta, Kent Spillman, Steve Roarke and Chris Clifton.

In addition to his duties behind the microphone, Liles serves as the booking agent for Twigs in Blowing Rock—a duty he’s held since for the last six years. Careful not to book himself more than once a month, the job has helped Liles meet quality musicians from all over the region on a regular basis.

Throughout the year, but especially during the warmer months, Liles plies his trade as a one-man operation, lugging his acoustic guitar and p.a. all over the High Country, playing venues in Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock and beyond. He performs his renditions of classic rock and folk tunes by the likes of James Taylor, Jackson Brown and Jimmy Buffett alongside selections by lesser-known but equally talented players including David Wilcox, Patty Griffin and Shawn Colvin.

In his years as a working musician performing in a variety of contexts, Liles has learned that variety and likeability go a long way in pleasing both venue owners and patrons, who ultimately determine whether or not his services are needed. The longtime Boone resident maintains a passion for performing, as well as discovering new music.

This Friday, March 7, Liles will perform at Zuzda in Banner Elk. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and there is no cover charge.

Want To Go?

Date: Friday, March 7
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Zuzda
Cost: FREE!