‘Voice’ singer from Waltham to perform at Tempo’s BakBar

Kevin James Graham has been immersed in music his entire life, from learning to play drums at age 7 to competing against fellow singers on “The Voice.” Ahead of the April release of his album “Moonrise,” the longtime Waltham resident who’s made a national name for himself will perform before a local crowd on March 20 at Tempo’s BakBar.

“It’s really nice to bring it back home,” said the 34-year-old singer, who described his style as “bluesy” and “gritty.” 

In addition to performing on NBC’s 26th season of “The Voice” in 2024, he was invited twice to sing the National Anthem at Fenway Park, has entertained the crowd at Waltham’s Riverfest and performed during a Patriots exhibition game.

While growing up in the city, Graham played country tunes at home with his family and, after mastering the drums, expanded his instrument repertoire to include the violin and guitar. 

Graham recalled that when he was a fifth-grader at the former Bright School, his music teacher introduced him to the Beatles, sparking a lifetime love of rock n’ roll. As he continued his music education, taking guitar lessons at the now-defunct Lexington Music on Moody Street, he listened to other rock performers such as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He improved his skills by strumming along to his idols’ DVDs. 

“I truly love music and it was really natural to pick things up,” Graham said about playing multiple instruments, including the mandolin and piano. “It all happened like dominos.” 

In 2014, he formed the band Rolling Nectar (now on hiatus), and in 2018 and 2021, he was invited to sing the National Anthem at Fenway.

“All those moments help fuel forward progression … of your artistry,” he said. 

Performing in front of thousands at Fenway was a great way to prepare for his next steps on TV.

‘The Voice’ and beyond

Graham’s most personal instrument — his singing voice — brought him to the attention of a nationwide audience. 

Asked how he felt after Country star Reba McEntire chose him to be part of her team during the blind auditions on “The Voice,” Graham said, “I was just thankful to get picked. … I didn’t want to go there to sing my heart out and then leave.”

During the show, he said cameras would cut to his mother Susan Graham, who played guitar with him growing up, as well as his uncle Tony St. Cyr, who taught him drums.

His mother was “exuberant” and excited about his on-air performances, which included a rendition of Faces’ “Stay With Me” and a battle duet singing Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control.”

“It was a fun social experience to meet artists from across the country,” Graham said.

The Waltham virtuoso’s journey on “The Voice” ended in October 2024 after the battle duet, which he lost to contestant Adam Bohanan.

Graham’s favorite memory from the experience happened on his last day when Grammy-Award-winning crooner Michael Buble hugged him and reassured him by saying, “You have a music career.”

“That I’ll never forget,” he said.

More information

Graham recently released “Precious Time,” the second single from his new album “Moonrise,” which will be out in April. For more information, visit https://kevinjamesgraham.com

Graham will be performing at Tempo’s BakBar, located at 474 Moody St., on March 20, at 9 p.m. For more information, visit https://tempobistro.com/bakbar