Music is everything for Kirk. His life has revolved around music since he was a child — from singing at the early age of four in the church choir, to baritone horn lessons in the third grade, high school marching band, and later attending Lebanon Valley College where he majored in voice and brass. While in college, he started a radio station, worked at the school newspaper, and toured with the Concert Choir. To say his life has been music-focused would be an understatement.
He has played more shows than one could count or keep track of in his many years of performing. In 2024, he received the “Iron Man” award from the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame for performing an incredible 240 shows in one year.(topped in 2025 with 255) Kirk relies on his outgoing personality and marketing abilities to keep himself busy. It isn’t always about the money for Kirk — he regularly performs for charities and local nonprofit events, as well as playing in a variety of churches around the area. He loves performing for people who may not have any way to get to the music, so he brings it to them, performing regularly at the Homeland Retirement Center for example. He loves the feeling of playing for people who truly enjoy his music and those he can genuinely connect with.
Some of his many fond memories include playing for a baby’s first live performance and gifting her a first CD, wedding proposals, 60th birthdays followed years later by 80th birthdays for the same fan. Making connections through his music is what keeps him motivated.
Around 2004, Kirk’s time with The Baptones, a popular southern gospel band, was coming to an end. Finding himself a bit lost, he was invited into the basement of Mitch Gregory, who was tooling around — doing some jamming with Doug Brenner and Russel Yohe. Kirk asked Mitch if he could play his upright bass, and he was hooked. They began jamming regularly and soon found themselves forming the popular “Jazz Me Rhythm & Blues Band.”
The band switches up roles depending on the mood of the show and primarily features Kirk on bass, guitar, and vocals; Steve Davis on guitar and vocals; Mitch Gregory on harmonica, guitar, bass and vocals; and Josef Brye on percussion. They are known to play everything from Sinatra to Santana — blues, jazz, country, folk, Motown, and more. Kirk likes to invite special guest players onto the stage and has been known to grab someone right out of the crowd if he knows they have the chops to perform. They can tailor performances to fit any venue or event size, from a quiet two-piece duo to a seven-piece full band featuring sax and flute along with backup singers. The band has been voted Simply The Best “Readers’ Choice Band” by Harrisburg Magazine an astounding nine times. Wise has also been named several times “Best Of” for the Susquehanna Style Magazine and Sentinel Newspaper’s publications.
Kirk is also a founding member of the Country Wise Band, where he switches “hats,” so to speak, and changes genres with sweet western and country sounds — anything from Willie to Garth, classic hits to modern favorites. Kirk is backed by Bryce Flurie, Dave Campbell, Mitch Gregory, along with Patrick Wolfkill and Josef Brye on drums. Once again, he keeps the show entertaining by adding guest musicians and female singers to help perform classics from Sugarland, Dolly, and more.
Playing with many different musicians and singers not only helps keep the audience entertained but also keeps Kirk motivated and inspired to continue performing. This led him to another project, Acoustic Generations, where he plays guitar while songs highlight the wonderful voice of Elizabeth Adams-Dean. They focus on folk and country songs of the ’70s and, once again, can cater performances to fit your event — offering anything from a duo, three-piece or a full band. Kirk credits Beth’s voice and spirit for rejuvenating his energy. Years of performing can be hard on your mental state, and sometimes the right person comes along who realigns your senses and makes it feel new again. Plus she loves to carry the heavy stuff for setups and tear downs.
As a solo performer, Kirk likes to connect with the crowd and offers a set list at each table so the audience can pick which songs they fancy. This ensures the crowd stays engaged and makes each performance different for his fans. He strives to maintain a professional performance — from his set times and appearance to his equipment and instruments. Kirk takes great pride in his gear and has a unique collection of instruments. His guitar collection reflects his style, ranging from Epiphone, Maton, Lag, Taylor and Martins, as well as specialty custom guitars from Zaar Guitar out of Arizona and Zager Guitars from Nebraska. He enjoys connecting with luthiers and smaller companies while trying out new designs and products.
His career in marketing has helped him fill his schedule, and his years as a race car promoter have helped him make ends meet by selling sponsorship space on his van. Kirk picked up his first sponsor, Farnham Insurance, after performing at a nonprofit event for free. The owner asked if there was a way they could help him for playing those types of events. Kirk accepted a donation sponsorship and agreed to place a banner on his van for events. This soon led to his second sponsor, Members First Credit Union, followed by Classic Dry Cleaners, Landon Wise Photography, and Studio D. All of these establishments help Kirk by contributing donations or services, and he is very grateful for their support.
Kirk also teaches music lessons at Keystone Music Academy in Camp Hill, offering classes in guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, piano, as well as voice lessons. To fill in time between all that, he works for The Dillsburg Banner weekly newspaper, selling advertisements and helping with delivery.
Kirk is a true working man’s musician. If you want to be a successful working musician, you have to put in the hours. For Kirk, that doesn’t mean just showing up at the gig and performing — it means putting in the time beforehand promoting the event, working out details with the venue, showing up early for setup and sometimes starting early, catering to the crowd, and making sure everyone is enjoying the experience. Checking in with the venue for feedback and thanking them for the opportunity are all part of the professional attitude Kirk puts forth — something he feels some musicians miss the mark on.
Kirk would like to thank all his sponsors, fans and venues that support him, as well as his beautiful wife Pam for supporting his busy musical schedule and lifestyle for 44 years.
You can find Kirk at Range + Rye Restaurant in Dillsburg every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Kirk is on regular schedule rotation as well at The Doghouse in Harrisburg, Mt Airy Orchards in Dillsburg and many others throughout the year. For more information on Kirk and his musical endeavors, check out the links below and his full schedule of events. If you would like to book Kirk or one of his bands for your next event, please call 717-979-0341.
