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Lynn Meredith
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Key Information
Lynn Meredith is an American musician and abstract artist who was a founding member of the group Kansas.
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Yankton, South Dakota, Meredith's roots are in rhythm and blues, later branching out into progressive rock in his late teens. Meredith graduated from Manhattan High School in 1969.
Career
[edit]Kansas I and II
[edit]Meredith lived in Manhattan, Kansas and formed Saratoga with Kerry Livgren, Don Montre and Dan Wright after high school in Topeka, Kansas. Saratoga merged with another Topeka group, White Clover, that became the first version of Kansas in 1970. As Kansas began to play original music from member Kerry Livgren, Meredith began using his voice as another instrument, and searched for ways to add to the music using falsetto and various vocalizations.
Kansas I broke up later that year and Kansas II began with some additional new members, but the core of Meredith, Livgren, Montre and Wright remained. Kansas II stayed together until early 1974 when Livgren left the band to join White Clover. That version became the well known version of Kansas.
Proto-Kaw
[edit]After Kansas, Meredith did not sing professionally for many years, but recorded with a band called Plastique in the early 1980s. He has since reunited with his other Kansas II cohorts in Proto-Kaw.
Currently, Meredith records with Proto Kaw, the reformed version of Kansas. Proto Kaw re-grouped after the original Kansas II demo recordings were discovered and released on Cuneiform Records in 2002. This release caused the original members of Kansas to communicate for the first time in 28 years. A reunion party was planned in Kansas City in 2002 and the band enjoyed playing together again. This led to Kerry Livgren writing music for some experimental recordings with the members and an album, Before Became After was released under the Proto Kaw name in April 2004 on the Inside Out Music Label. Since that time, Proto Kaw has begun performing live again and released their third CD The Wait of Glory in January 2006. They toured Europe in 2006 and released their fourth CD in 2011 entitled "Forth". Recently Lynn Meredith took part in "Ancient Rites of the Moon", the first álbum of the international super group Stardust Reverie Project released in 2014 and performed the vocals for "Song for Catina". He was also asked to perform two additional songs on the new Stardust Reverie album "Proclamation of Shadows" entitled "Silver Bullet" and "Wuthering Heights".
Football coach
[edit]While away from professional music, Meredith served as an assistant football coach at Kansas State University, Panhandle State University, and Pittsburg State University.
Color analyst
[edit]Later, he spent over fifteen years as color analyst for Pittsburg State football on KKOW (AM).
Music exec and manager
[edit]Meredith managed singing star Andy Williams Theatre in Branson prior to his death, then became vice-president of Marketing and Communications for the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and CDL Electric in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Plastique reunion
[edit]Meredith currently is devoting a majority of his time to painting and preparing for a Fall 2023 recording session with the band Plastique, a band he sang lead vocals with in the 1980s.
Awards and honours
[edit]In 2011, Meredith, a 1969 graduate of Manhattan High School, was inducted in their "Wall of Fame" in a ceremony at the school. He was inducted along with guitarist Dwayne Bailey, who played with Bob Seger and Chicago.
In 2015, Meredith was inducted in the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, as a member of the group Proto Kaw. The ceremony was held at the Opera House in Lawrence, Kansas.
Discography
[edit]Plastique
[edit]- Plastique (1984)
Proto-Kaw
[edit]- Proto-Kaw:Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-73 (2002)
- Before Became After (2004)
- Compilation CD - CPROGROCK:Leaven (2004)
- Wait of Glory (2006)
- Forth (2011)
- Before Became After:Partially Re-recorded, re-mixed and re-mastered (2014)
- Wait of Glory:Partially Re-recorded, re-mixed and re-mastered (2015)
- Forth:Partially Re-recorded, re-mixed and re-mastered (2016)
Stardust Reverie Project
[edit]- Ancient Rites of the Moon (2014)
- Proclamation of Shadows (2015)
Kerry Livgren Q.A.R. Album
[edit]- The Days We Live (2022)
References
[edit]Lynn Meredith
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Early life and education
Childhood and musical influences
The exact date of Lynn Meredith's birth remains unavailable in public records. He grew up in Manhattan, Kansas, where his early exposure to music laid the foundation for his career.[1] Meredith's roots trace back to rhythm and blues during his childhood, a genre that initially captivated him as a singer. At the age of 13, he experienced a pivotal moment watching The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, prompting him to join a garage band the very next day and begin performing soul music locally.[1][4] Influenced by soul icons such as James Brown and Otis Redding, he sang with horn bands in regional settings, honing a style that blended imitation with his emerging unique vocal approach.[4][2] As Meredith entered his late teens, the emerging progressive rock movement began to shape his musical direction, expanding beyond his R&B foundations to incorporate more complex rock elements.[2] These formative experiences in local performances foreshadowed his transition to more structured high school activities.High school and early performances
Lynn Meredith attended Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Kansas, graduating in 1969.[1] During his senior year, he participated in the school's choir program, where he was mentored by music teacher Larry Boyd, who encouraged his developing vocal talents.[5] Meredith's early musical endeavors included forming and performing with several informal bands alongside his high school classmates, such as The Castlemen in 1965, The 90th Floor in 1967, and an unnamed soul band also in 1967.[5] These groups focused on rock and soul influences, reflecting his budding interest in genres like R&B, which he briefly explored through emulations of artists such as James Brown.[5] The bands performed at local venues in the Manhattan area, including City Park, Teen Town, and the Experimental Light Farm, providing Meredith with his initial stage experience in a community setting.[5] In recognition of his high school-era contributions to music and his later achievements, Meredith was inducted into the Manhattan High School Alumni Association Wall of Fame in 2011 as an outstanding alumnus.[1]Musical career
Formation of Kansas I and II
Lynn Meredith served as a founding member and lead vocalist of the rock band Kansas, which originated in Topeka, Kansas, through the 1970 merger of two local groups: Saratoga, featuring Meredith alongside guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren, keyboardist Dan Wright, and pianist Don Montre; and White Clover, which contributed drummer Phil Ehart and bassist Dave Hope.[6][7] Meredith's involvement began with Kansas I in 1970, a rebranding of Saratoga that focused on Livgren's original material blending progressive rock elements with influences from his high school-era explorations in folk and psychedelia.[6] As the primary vocalist, he helped shape the band's initial sound during local performances in the Topeka area.[7] Following the merger, the ensemble evolved into Kansas II in 1971, retaining Meredith as lead singer while incorporating additional musicians such as saxophonist John Bolton and others to expand the lineup.[6] From 1971 to 1973, Meredith contributed vocals to the group's rigorous schedule of live shows across the Midwest, where they built a regional following through covers and originals emphasizing complex arrangements and thematic depth drawn from mysticism and Eastern philosophy.[6] He also participated in recording early demo tapes between 1971 and 1973, capturing the band's evolving style in sessions that highlighted Livgren's songwriting prowess, though commercial breakthrough remained elusive.[6][2] Kansas II folded in 1973 amid internal shifts, particularly as Livgren deepened his collaboration with Ehart and Hope from White Clover, resulting in the lineup's dissolution and paving the way for the band's more stable configuration.[6][7]Proto-Kaw reformation and recordings
In 2002, following the release of archival demos from the Kansas II era, Proto-Kaw reformed as a progressive rock band featuring original members from the early 1970s incarnation of Kansas.[8] The catalyst was the compilation album Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973, which included seven studio demos and two live tracks recorded between 1971 and 1973, remastered and issued by Cuneiform Records under Kerry Livgren's supervision.[9] This release revived interest in the band's pre-Kansas material, prompting the reunion to explore new compositions while honoring their foundational sound.[10] Lynn Meredith served as the lead vocalist and narrator in Proto-Kaw, contributing alongside Kerry Livgren on guitar and keyboards, Dan Wright on organ, John Bolton on saxophone and flute, and other collaborators including Craig Kew on bass and Brad Schulz on drums.[11] The band's subsequent albums built on their intricate, symphonic style: Before Became After (2004) marked their first original studio effort post-reformation, featuring expansive tracks blending psychedelia and classical influences; The Wait of Glory (2006) followed with more polished production and thematic depth; and Forth (2011) concluded their recording output, incorporating modern elements while retaining the group's signature complexity.[12] During the 2000s, Proto-Kaw toured in the United States, including a performance at the 2005 NEARfest progressive rock festival in Pennsylvania, and in Europe, with a notable 2006 promotional tour across four countries to support The Wait of Glory.[13][14] These live outings showcased Meredith's dynamic vocal delivery and the band's elaborate arrangements, drawing fans of classic progressive rock and reinforcing Proto-Kaw's legacy as a bridge to Kansas's origins.[15]Plastique and reunion efforts
In the early 1980s, following his departure from Kansas, Lynn Meredith was invited by a friend to record songs with a new band called Plastique, where he served as lead vocalist for a limited time.[4][5] The group's music was characterized by Meredith as great new wave rock, enjoyable to perform and distinct from his progressive rock roots with Kansas.[4] Meredith and the band recorded several tracks during this period, but the material saw limited commercial release, with no major label albums or widespread distribution at the time.[4] After his involvement with Plastique, Meredith stepped away from professional singing for many years until reuniting with former Kansas associates in Proto-Kaw.[4]Additional musical projects
Beyond his primary band commitments, Lynn Meredith has pursued various collaborative musical endeavors in the progressive and symphonic rock spheres. Beginning in 2014, he contributed guest vocals to the Stardust Reverie Project, an international supergroup blending heavy metal and orchestral elements, on their debut album Ancient Rites of the Moon. His performance featured prominently on the track "Song for Catina," alongside guitarist Bill Hudson, highlighting Meredith's emotive delivery in a symphonic context.[16] Meredith continued his involvement with Stardust Reverie the following year, providing vocals on Proclamation of Shadows, including lead parts on track 9 and a hidden ghost track exclusive to the limited-edition CD release. These contributions underscored his adaptability to the project's epic, multi-vocalist arrangements, drawing on collaborators like Zak Stevens and Graham Bonnet. In a notable reunion with longtime associate Kerry Livgren, Meredith delivered lead vocals on several tracks of the 2022 solo album Q.A.R., including "The Days We Live" and "Above This Night." This project revisited progressive rock roots with intricate compositions, where Meredith's soaring tenor added emotional depth to Livgren's guitar-driven soundscapes.[17][18] Meredith has sporadically offered guest vocals on one-off progressive rock recordings, such as select tracks with symphonic ensembles, preserving his signature style amid diverse lineups. He has sustained an active vocal career through these collaborations and performances, balancing it with his broader professional pursuits as of 2025.[19]Sports and broadcasting career
Football coaching roles
Following his music career with the band Kansas in the early 1970s, Lynn Meredith transitioned to sports education by enrolling at Kansas State University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education, completing his student teaching at Manhattan High School in 1981.[5] This shift was driven by parallels he saw between the competitive demands of music performance and those of coaching, both requiring rigorous practice, precision, and high-stakes execution.[5] After graduation, Meredith began coaching at Washington High School in Washington, Kansas, where he taught and coached football in the late 1970s.[5] He then served as a graduate assistant at Kansas State University in the early 1980s, working under head coach Jim Dickey to support team preparation and operations.[5] In this role, he focused on player development through skill-building drills and contributed to game strategy by analyzing opponent tendencies and refining offensive and defensive schemes.[5] Meredith later served as an assistant coach at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma, during the mid-1980s, where his responsibilities included mentoring athletes on technique and physical conditioning to enhance competitive performance.[5] He emphasized team development, fostering discipline and cohesion among players to execute complex plays effectively.[5] In 1985, he was head football coach at Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas, leading the team to a 2-7 record.[5][20] At Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, Meredith held positions as both assistant football coach and athletic director in the late 1980s, overseeing recruitment, training programs, and strategic planning for games until he left coaching in 1988.[5] His work there centered on advancing player skills in areas like blocking, tackling, and route running, while integrating data-driven insights into overall team strategy to improve win rates.[5]Color commentary and analysis
Following his coaching tenure at Pittsburg State University, where he served as assistant coach and athletic director, Meredith transitioned into broadcasting in 1988 by managing radio stations in southeast Kansas.[5] He also served on the board of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.[5] This move marked the start of his media contributions in sports, drawing on his football expertise to join the Pittsburg State University football broadcast team on flagship station KKOW (AM).[21] Meredith provided color commentary for over 15 years, offering in-depth analysis of plays, strategies, and team dynamics during the games. His insights, informed by prior coaching roles at the institution, enriched broadcasts by breaking down complex formations and player performances for listeners.[5] Working alongside play-by-play announcer Tom Van Hoy in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Meredith's contributions extended to multiple seasons, as recalled by longtime sideline reporter Eddie Lomshek, who supported the team during those years.[21] Later in his broadcasting career, he served as president of Smoky Hills Public Television and produced a PBS show in Branson, Missouri.[5] He remained involved in regional sports media into the 2010s, maintaining his connection to Pittsburg State athletics through commentary and related broadcasting efforts.[5]Music industry and management
Artist management and theater operations
In the early 2010s, Lynn Meredith served as General Manager of the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri, where she directed day-to-day operations and live entertainment programming for the venue.[5] Her responsibilities included coordinating production elements such as sets, orchestras, and performer schedules to maintain the theater's reputation for high-quality variety shows.[22] Meredith played a key role in artist management by overseeing the booking and integration of musicians, dancers, and specialty acts into the theater's lineup, ensuring seamless performances that aligned with Andy Williams' vision for the space. For instance, in 2012, she announced the 21st annual Andy Williams Christmas Show, which incorporated returning performers like the adagio dance team Pasha and Aliona alongside new variety acts, all supported by a full orchestra and elaborate staging.[23] She also facilitated tribute productions, such as the 2013 engagement of Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute band, to carry forward the theater's entertainment legacy following Williams' health challenges.[24] Operationally, Meredith represented Williams at industry events and handled public communications, including accepting the Branson Chamber of Commerce's Pioneer Award on his behalf in 2012 and providing updates on Williams' recovery and planned return to the stage for his 75th anniversary performances.[25] This hands-on involvement extended to broader live entertainment production, where she produced a PBS special in Branson, drawing on her prior music experience to blend musical direction with venue logistics.[5]Visual arts career
Transition from music to painting
Following a distinguished career in progressive rock as the original lead singer of Kansas and subsequent projects with Proto-Kaw, Lynn Meredith sought new avenues for creative expression as musical activities diminished in the mid-2010s.[3] His long-term involvement in music had served as a primary outlet for artistic release, but with fewer performances and recordings after Proto-Kaw's 2015 induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, Meredith turned toward visual mediums around that time.[2] The pivot intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020, when isolation prompted Meredith to explore painting as a substitute for the collaborative energy of music.[2] Personal life changes, including his own battle with prostate cancer and supporting his daughter's cancer diagnosis, profoundly influenced this shift, channeling emotional experiences into abstract forms reminiscent of expressionism.[3] Drawing from his mother's oil landscape paintings and studies in modern art movements, Meredith found in abstract expressionism a way to externalize inner turmoil and resilience, much like the cathartic improvisation in his vocal performances.[2] He described the process as a necessity: "It made me realize that I have to get things out of my head and on to some sort of canvas."[3] Meredith's initial forays into painting involved experimentation with fluid art techniques, pouring acrylics to create dynamic, unpredictable patterns that mirrored the spontaneity of rock improvisation.[2] These early works emphasized color flow and texture, evolving from rudimentary relief pieces—such as a 2013-2014 creation using gauze and bloodstains on cardboard inspired by witnessing a death—to more fluid abstractions by 2020.[3] This hands-on approach allowed him to blend structured composition with chaotic splatters, fostering a sense of freedom absent in his later music endeavors.[2] Even as painting gained prominence, Meredith maintained a balance with his musical roots, continuing vocal roles with Proto-Kaw and Plastique that inform his artistic themes of healing and perseverance.[26] This dual pursuit underscores his transition not as an abandonment of music, but as an expansion of creative identity, with painting providing a solitary counterpoint to the band's communal dynamics.[3]Abstract art style and techniques
Lynn Meredith specializes in abstract and fluid art, employing techniques that emphasize spontaneity and the interplay of color and texture. His works often feature acrylic paints applied in fluid pours, allowing colors to blend organically and create dynamic patterns, as seen in his self-description as a fluid artist. He incorporates textured elements by layering acrylics to add depth and dimensionality, enhancing the tactile quality of his canvases.[27] Meredith's thematic focus draws from cosmic and natural abstractions, evoking celestial phenomena and organic forms through swirling hues and asymmetrical compositions. A representative example is Two Moons Rising, a panoramic piece measuring 16” x 60” on canvas, where textured acrylics simulate lunar landscapes and ethereal movements, blending abstraction with subtle representational nods to the night sky. This approach prioritizes emotional resonance over literal depiction, reflecting his experimentation with color saturation and fluid motion to convey vastness and serenity.[28] His artistic evolution traces from music-inspired visualizations—rooted in his background as a musician—to fully independent abstract explorations, beginning earnestly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Initially alternating between structured abstracts with defined lines and freer fluid techniques, Meredith has refined a signature style that merges controlled texture with unpredictable pours, often using large-scale formats to immerse viewers in immersive, non-figurative worlds. This progression underscores his commitment to process-driven creation, where composition emerges from intuitive layering rather than premeditated sketches.[2]Exhibitions and public installations
Lynn Meredith has participated in the Kansas City Parade of Hearts public art initiative multiple times, contributing large-scale heart sculptures displayed throughout the city to support charitable causes. In 2022, his artwork "Kansas City Caregivers" was selected, celebrating support for elderly individuals and those with special needs through abstract designs.[29] His 2024 contribution, "Kansas City Conquering Cancer," featured an abstract composition incorporating colors from various cancer awareness ribbons to symbolize hope and resilience.[30] Meredith was announced as one of the 100 selected artists for the 2024 edition of the project.[31] He has also been chosen for the 2026 Parade of Hearts, continuing his involvement in this regional public art effort.[32] Meredith's abstract works have appeared in gallery settings, including a featured exhibition at the Tim Murphy Art Gallery in Kansas City in September 2024.[33] In early 2025, his painting "Paragon," an acrylic on canvas piece, was included in the international online exhibition "Circles, Squares, Triangles - 2025," organized by Exhibizone, highlighting geometric and abstract forms.[34] A solo exhibition of Meredith's abstract art opened on November 7, 2025, at the Beverly Corcoran Gallery in the Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center in Pittsburg, Kansas, and runs through December 30, 2025.[35] The show presents a collection of his multilayered abstract pieces, emphasizing themes of overcoming challenges through vibrant colors, textures, and patterns. These public installations and gallery displays often employ fluid art techniques, where poured acrylics create dynamic flows and organic forms.[33]Awards and honors
Music-related accolades
Lynn Meredith's role as lead vocalist and founding member of Proto-Kaw, the precursor to the progressive rock band Kansas, earned her significant recognition in the music industry. In 2015, Proto-Kaw was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, honoring the band's pioneering contributions to Kansas's musical heritage and its early experimental sound that influenced the state's rock scene.[36][15] The induction ceremony occurred on March 7, 2015, at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas, celebrating Proto-Kaw's original lineup, including Meredith's distinctive vocal performances on demos and reformed albums that showcased complex progressive arrangements.[37][4] This accolade specifically acknowledged Meredith's involvement in the group's foundational work during the late 1960s and early 1970s, which laid the groundwork for Kansas's later commercial success.[38] In progressive rock communities, Meredith's vocals on Proto-Kaw's reunion efforts, such as the critically praised album Before Became After (2004), have been noted for their emotive delivery in intricate compositions.Educational and artistic recognitions
In 2011, Lynn Meredith was inducted into the Manhattan High School Wall of Fame as a member of the class of 1969, recognizing his contributions as a musician and artist from the school's alumni.[1] Meredith has received artistic recognition through selections for the Kansas City Parade of Hearts public art program, a community initiative featuring large-scale heart sculptures by local artists. In 2022, he was chosen to create "Kansas City Conquering Cancer," an abstract work incorporating the colors of various cancer awareness ribbons to symbolize resilience and awareness.[30] For the 2024 edition, Meredith was among the 100 selected artists transforming fiberglass hearts into public installations across the Kansas City region.[39] He was further selected for the 2026 Parade of Hearts, continuing his involvement in this biennial event that promotes local visual arts.[32]Discography
Kansas precursors and early demos
Lynn Meredith served as the lead vocalist for the earliest iterations of the rock band Kansas, known as Kansas I and II, which formed in the early 1970s around core members including guitarist Kerry Livgren, keyboardists Don Montre and Dan Wright, and Meredith himself.[4] These precursor groups experimented with progressive and jazz-rock elements in Topeka and surrounding areas, predating the band's commercial breakthrough.[38] Meredith's vocal contributions appear on demo tracks recorded by Kansas II between late 1971 and 1973, capturing the band's raw, exploratory sound during sessions in informal locations like a cavern north of Kansas City and a small studio in Liberal, Kansas, as well as live performances at venues such as the Red Dog Inn in Lawrence.[9] These multitrack demos, primarily composed by Livgren, featured Meredith's high-register, ethereal singing style, often drawing comparisons to Jon Anderson or Peter Hammill for its fragile yet powerful delivery amid complex instrumentation including dual keyboards, flute, and electric saxophone.[10][40] The material remained unreleased for nearly three decades until Kerry Livgren remastered the original tapes and issued it as the archival compilation Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973 under the Proto-Kaw moniker on Cuneiform Records in September 2002.[38] This release documents nine tracks from the period, with Meredith credited on vocals throughout, showcasing songs like the 11-minute jazz-prog epic "Nactolos 21," where his vocals navigate stabbing flute and funky saxophone riffs, and the live rendition of "Cyclopy," highlighting the band's improvisational energy.[41][9]| Track Title | Duration | Notes on Recording and Meredith's Vocals |
|---|---|---|
| Hegemonium | 7:48 | Studio demo (late 1971); Meredith's lead vocals introduce Livgren's mystical themes.[9] |
| Reunion in the Mountains of Sarne | 7:44 | Studio demo (late 1971); Features Meredith's soaring harmonies over ring-modulated organ.[9] |
| Nactolos 21 | 11:37 | Studio demo (late 1971, piano intro by Livgren); Meredith's ethereal vocals drive the prog-jazz fusion.[41] |
| Belexes | 5:10 | Studio demo (late 1972); Meredith sings on this track later re-recorded by Kansas.[10] |
| Totus Nemesis | 13:53 | Studio demo (late 1972); Extended piece with Meredith's dynamic range amid symphonic builds.[9] |
| Greek Structure Sunbeam | 5:41 | Studio demo (late 1972); Meredith's vocals add a haunting quality to the atmospheric composition.[9] |
| Incomudro | 11:26 | Studio demo (late 1972); Meredith performs lead on this hymn-like track, later adapted by Kansas.[10] |
| Cyclopy (Live) | 5:45 | Live at Red Dog Inn (1972); Meredith's live vocals capture the band's raw intensity.[9] |
| Skont (Live) | 9:36 | Live at Red Dog Inn (1972); Features Meredith's improvisational singing in a jam-oriented setting.[9] |