John Kilzer

John Kilzer was a Memphis-based singer-songwriter whose soulful blend of rock, folk, and blues carved a unique path through the heartland of American music. A former college basketball standout at Memphis State University, Kilzer shifted gears in the late '80s, releasing his debut album *Memory in the Making* (1989), which featured the jangly college radio hit "Blue Highway." His raw, poetic lyrics and gravelly voice earned him comparisons to Springsteen and Petty, but his sound remained deeply rooted in the grit and groove of his Southern hometown. After a hiatus marked by personal struggles and eventual recovery, Kilzer returned to music with renewed spiritual purpose, releasing introspective later works like *Scars* (2018) and *The American Blues* (2017) that reflected his dual roles as a pastor and addiction counselor. Tracks like "Hello Heart" and "Hide Away" showcase his knack for weaving redemption, vulnerability, and Memphis soul into every chord. Kilzer’s story—from hardwood courts to church pulpits and dimly lit stages—ended in 2019, but his music lives on as a testament to resilience and reinvention.