Kid Andersen
Norwegian-born guitarist, producer and owner of Greaseland Studios in San Jose. Longtime member of Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, a Blues Music Award and Grammy-nominated producer, and one of the most in-demand session guitarists in modern blues.
Musical Influence
Kid Andersen has become one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in contemporary American blues, his Greaseland Studios functioning as an unofficial hub for the West Coast blues scene through his production work for Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Tommy Castro, Junior Watson and dozens of others. His 2024 Spellemannpris win for "Spirits and Soul" with his wife Lisa also connects modern American blues production directly back to the Norwegian blues scene that first trained him (Kilde: Wikipedia; norsk Wikipedia).
Influences
Family and personal life
American Idol Season 3 contestant; co-artist on "Spirits and Soul" (2024).
Formative experiences
- •Age 11: Norwegian blues guitar teacher Morten Omlid recognizes his talent and steers him toward traditional blues. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •2001, age 21: Moves to the United States, joins Terry Hanck's band. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •Replaces Little Charlie Baty in Little Charlie & the Nightcats, which is renamed Rick Estrin & the Nightcats. (Kilde: Wikipedia; norsk Wikipedia)
- •Founds Greaseland Studios in San Jose, California. (Kilde: Wikipedia)
- •2025: Wins the 2024 Spellemannpris in the blues category with wife Lisa for "Spirits and Soul." (Kilde: norsk Wikipedia)
Instruments & Equipment
Guitar
Central to his work as touring/session guitarist and producer.
Other
CEO and chief engineer of Greaseland Studios, San Jose.
Stories & Anecdotes
"Was born in Herre, Telemark, Norway — not Kristiansand, as sometimes misreported. (Kilde: norsk Wikipedia)"
"Is a cousin of Norwegian blues artist Joakim Tinderholt. (Kilde: norsk Wikipedia)"
"Named his home studio "Greaseland" — it has since become one of the most productive rooms in contemporary blues recording. (Kilde: Wikipedia)"
"Took over Little Charlie Baty's guitar chair in what became Rick Estrin & the Nightcats. (Kilde: Wikipedia)"
"Won the 2024 Spellemannpris — Norway's Grammy equivalent — for "Spirits and Soul," a double album made with his wife. (Kilde: norsk Wikipedia)"
Collaborators
Longtime guitarist, replacing Little Charlie Baty.
Played in his band; won a Blues Music Award for "Delta Hardware."
Wife and musical partner; co-artist on "Spirits and Soul" (2024).
Production/touring collaborators.
Watch & Listen
Hangover Day - 2021 Version - Kid Andersen's Greaseland All Stars
From his 2003 solo debut "Rock Awhile," re-cut with his Greaseland All Stars.
Kid Andersen
Watch & Listen
Discography
| Year | Title | Producer | Studio | Label | Chart | Sales | Musicians | YouTube | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Rock Awhile | Kid Andersen | — | — | — | — | — | Solo debut. | |
| 2005 | Guitarmageddon | Kid Andersen | — | — | — | — | Vidar Busk (Guitar), Junior Watson (Guitar) | With Vidar Busk and Junior Watson. | |
| 2006 | Greaseland | Kid Andersen | — | — | — | — | — | Nominated for the Spellemannpris in the blues category. | |
| 2008 | The Dreamer | Kid Andersen | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2012 | One Wrong Turn (Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, producer) | Kid Andersen | — | Alligator Records | — | — | — | Produced by Andersen. | |
| 2017 | Groovin' in Greaseland (Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, producer) | Kid Andersen | — | Alligator Records | — | — | — | Produced by Andersen at his own studio. | |
| 2017 | Stompin' Ground (Tommy Castro, producer) | Kid Andersen | — | Alligator Records | — | — | — | Produced by Andersen. | |
| 2019 | Nothin' to It But to Do It (Junior Watson, co-producer) | Kid Andersen, Junior Watson | — | — | — | — | Lisa Leuschner Andersen (Vocals) | Co-produced; features wife Lisa Leuschner Andersen. | |
| 2024 | Spirits and Soul (with Lisa "Little Baby" Andersen) | Kid Andersen | — | Little Village Foundation | — | — | Lisa Leuschner Andersen (Vocals) | Double album trading vocals with his wife; won the Spellemannpris 2024, blues category. |
Famous songs
External links
Booking / Contact
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