As founder and promoter of "Dixie
Phonics," a new concept of music, Herbert John Carter, a.k.a, H.J.
Kuntry has spent years developing and self promoting this new concept of
American Grassroots music.
Born with exceptional natural talent and raised in the Red Hills of
North Florida and South Georgia, Mr. Kuntry started out, like a lot of
artists do, singing in his small church choir along with his family,
nurturing that need to express himself through his words and his music.
After doing a stint in the Marines, H.J. Kuntry joined the Tallahassee,
FL Fire Department, where he served 15 years as a firefighter, until the
decision was made to make a total commitment to his dream of creating a
new concept of music that the world will soon know as "Dixie Phonics
Music." He traveled from coast-to-coast and border-to-border, covering
almost every county in the country in an old Chevy Truck camper with only a
few belongings and a stack of self written, produced, recorded and
performed albums, promoting himself and what he stood for, in hopes that
his dream would start a spark that would light up and ultimately change
the world of music.
So now you wonder, what exactly is
"Dixie Phonics." "Dixie Phonics" is not only a new concept of American
Grassroots music, it represents so much more than that. It is a deep
south tradition. Due to the absence of a clearly identifiable musical
style in tri-state areas of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, focused
effort is being applied to expand and develop this "new name idea," as a
culture exchange of southern folk life with all its diversities. It also
creates and offers an alternative to those singer/songwriters who desire
to maintain an independent status.
With that being said, Mr. Kuntry turned down an attractive offer in
Nashville back in the early 1980's and hit the road, stopping in small
rural towns at country stores, local bars and clubs, singing, passing
the hat and selling his albums one by one, 30,000 and counting. He has
spent over half of his 70 years, doing what we all dare to do, chasing
the American Dream, but doing it on his terms and in his own way. Mr.
Kuntry has kept a file on every single person who has ever bought an
album of his. He believes in the basics, the grass roots of country
music and taking it back to where it truly belongs, to the people.
Starting in his hometown
area, Mr. Kuntry has embarked once again on a new journey to reinforce
this new concept of music, "Dixie Phonics," through proclamation. As of
today, Mr. Kuntry has already received endorsement from Durell Peadon,
Jr., Senator- District One of Florida, Samuel H. Hayes, the President of
Northwest Florida League of Cities, and 100% endorsement from 9 mayors,
and county commissions of 5 connecting counties. His goal is to serve as
a role model to those who dare to dream. Until that day, H.J. Kuntry remains the man with the number one travel story in America, and if you
are ever privileged enough to see him perform or own an album of
his, you will hear of his travels in his music.
Stay in touch for
updates and more from the Travels of H.J. Kuntry! Until next time,
Ernest Finn