Darrin Kobetich

Fort Worth, Texas-based solo acoustic guitar master Darrin Kobetich classifies his sound as “ambient delta raga thrash grass,” but that’s just scratching the surface.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Darrin grew up listening to a lot of music, (including bluegrass, Italian and Greek music, rock 'n' roll). His musical journey started out with four chords he learned from his father at age 12.... Soon he was hooked on Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rush, etc.

Moving to Weatherford, Texas, in 1980 Darrin formed his first real band, an instrumental power trio, a year later. Inspired by German guitar phenomena Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker, he honed his chops playing covers and experimenting with improvisation. Spent a few years in various metal bands before joining the New Orleans-born thrash metal outfit. Hammer Witch in 1989. They released a cassette (1991) before disbanding in 1994.

Darrin then formed experimental metal band, Amillion Pounds, which was fronted by his brother Adam. It was during Amillion Pounds’ run that Darrin composed his first acoustic songs, influenced by Jimmy Page and Leo Kottke. By 2002, he was completely immersed in the acoustic guitar, inspired by the likes of Michael Hedges and John Fahey, as well as Middle Eastern and other world music.

Amillion Pounds disbanded in 2004 and the following year, Darrin and Adam founded the Electric Mountain Rotten Apple Gang to play bluegrass and mountain music. The Gang eventually evolved into the Blackland River Devils. Darrin has provided music for theatrical presentations at Hip Pocket Theater, and performs with Darryl Wood in the experimental guitar-and-electronica unit The Panic Basket. He’s self-released three CDs (available via CD Baby): Off the Beaten Path, the epic hour-long 12-string exploration The End of One Enchanted Evening, Songs For A Muse Meant and his latest The Longest Winter.