Some may not know but former race car driver Kyle Petty is also a musician. He has played guitar since age 12 and writes his own music. He will showcase that talent in the Song of the Mountains concert on Saturday at the Lincoln Theatre.
Son of racing legend “King” Richard Petty and grandson of Lee Petty, Kyle Petty said his dream had always been to race cars, but he enjoyed music on the side. He grew up listening to the old style of country music from such singers as George Jones, Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash.
He watched performers on television and decided, “I’m going to learn guitar.”
Petty said he loves playing guitar and writing songs. “I wake up in the morning with a tune in my head,” he said.
Petty couldn’t join in many tours or set play dates for his music over the years because those tended to be on the weekends when he was busy with his main career. Since he retired from racing, he has spent more time with music. He has several more playing dates scheduled in February and March in North Carolina and South Carolina.
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Tim White, producer of the Song of the Mountains concert series at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, said he saw an advertisement about Petty performing and was surprised.
“A lot of people didn’t realize he is a singer,” White said. “I was like everybody else, saying Kyle Petty? I did some research and talked to his wife, Morgan, through emails and she said they’d be happy to come on the show. She said they are big fans of Song of the Mountains. We have a lot of fans in North Carolina. She said they were excited to be coming.”
Petty will headline the concert on Saturday night at the Lincoln. His special guests on the show will be bluegrass favorites Little Roy & Lizzie and the wonderful Americana music of Lightnin' Charlie.
“Little Roy & Lizzie are high energy,” said White. “They will be doing an hour show. Lightnin’ Charlie is popular as well. It’s going to be a great show.”
Petty said he’s been past the Lincoln Theatre before but never been inside and is looking forward to Saturday’s show. He said he and Morgan enjoy watching the Song of the Mountains on Saturday nights on PBS along with other music shows.
Petty plays his guitar and writes every day, he said. What was once on the back burner is now on the front burner as he pursues his music. He said his style is like the old country music, not so much like today’s more pop style. It’s what he grew up on and what most appeals to him.
Music has been important in his family, Petty said. His mother always wanted the children to play piano. His sisters do, Petty said. He has had fiddle lessons, one of the hardest things he’s ever tried, he said.
Pettywas signed to a record contract by RCA Records in 1986. His lone single from this period was “The Other Guy,” which led to appearances on Hee Haw and opening for acts such as Randy Travis and The Oak Ridge Boys. Later, Petty recorded a track titled “Oh King Richard,” a tribute to his father and written by Rodney Crowell that was released in 1995 as part of a NASCAR-themed country music compilation album. A music video for the song was produced, featuring Petty playing an acoustic guitar in front of his father's No. 43 racecar, as Richard watched highlights of his career on a screen.
When not onstage, you can find him on NBC Sports Network's daily NASCAR America show, and beginning in July, on pre- and post-race NASCAR Sprint Cup shows on NBC and NBCSN.
Petty started his 30-year NASCAR career as a Sprint Cup driver in 1979 at age 19, before also becoming an owner and media commentator. He followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, and he was being followed by his son, Adam Petty, until he was killed in a crash in 2000.
In 2004, Kyle and the Petty family opened the doors to Victory Junction – a camp created for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses – in honor of Adam.
Kyle said he based Victory Junction on Paul Newman’s “Hole in the Wall Gang” camp, founded in 1988 with the simple premise “that every child, no matter their illness, could experience the transformational spirit and friendships that go hand-in-hand with camp.”
Victory Junction was established on 84 acres in the rolling hills of Randleman, N.C., near Greensboro, where Petty grew up.
“Victory Junction is a medically safe, yet exhilarating camp that challenges children who have a serious medical condition to try things they never imagined possible. As they conquer activities like zip lining and archery or experience bowling, fishing or swimming, children build confidence that will shape how they view the rest of their lives.”
Petty said many thousands of children have been helped free of charge through this camp that is dedicated to Adam.
“It’s truly an amazing place,” he said. “We’ve had at least one kid from every state attend the camp.”
Petty started a charity motorcycle ride in 1995 as a fundraiser for the camp. He has hosted hundreds of NASCAR fans, drivers and motorcycle enthusiasts on the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. The Ride travels cross-country each spring to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction. To date, the Ride has raised over $18 million for children with chronic illnesses, and is the most successful philanthropic event staged by any person in the NASCAR family.
Tickets for the Song of the Mountains show this Saturday are selling fast. The show starts at 7 p.m. Contact the Lincoln Theatre at (276) 783-6092 or info@thelincoln.org
