20 Questions with Kevin Rose

January 14, 2026

Musician, Architect, Recording Engineer and Charter Fishing Boat Captain

Kevin F. Rose was born in Taunton, Mass. and moved to Savannah in the fall of 1986 to study architecture at SCAD. Before long, he was dividing his time between school and touring the Southeast as one of the electric guitarists in City of Lindas, an original alternative rock quintet he co-founded which quickly earned a loyal following in the local music scene. After that group splintered in 1994, he co-founded both GAM and Superhorse, which became two of this area’s longest running original bands, releasing fiercely independent albums to critical acclaim.

(All three of those above acts can be heard on Marshes To Mountains, the new, massive compilation of rare Savannah music which benefits Hurricane Helene relief in Western NC. Check it out at: SAVhelpsWNC.com.)

For the past few years, he has served as the lead guitarist in the Intracoastal Playboys, a popular bar, club and festival combo which specializes in respectful interpretations of classic C&W tunes from decades gone by. He has also turned heads as a featured member of the house band for respected blues guitarist and frontman Eric Culberson’s large scale tribute shows to the “Three Kings of The Blues” (singing guitarists Freddie King, Albert King and B.B. King) at the showcase venue Victory North. In that capacity, he’s performed alongside members of B.B.’s and Freddie’s classic lineups as well as with the Rolling Stones’ longtime musical director and keyboardist.

An award winning Project Architect and Director of Design for the Lominack Kolman Smith architecture firm, in the summer of 2021, Kevin left that company to launch his own company, Rose Architects, which in 2024 was voted Best Architecture Firm in the city by the readers of Connect Savannah.

He also owns and runs Elevated Basement Studio, a boutique audio facility currently specializing in live location recording. As Lead Recording Engineer for the prestigious Savannah Music Festival (he’s their longest running employee) Kevin documents most of each year’s festival for their archives. He also produces finished versions of many of those shows for distribution via the SMF’s beloved concert series on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

And if that was not enough, under the name Telecaster Charters, he’s been one of the most in demand charter fishing boat captains in our area since 2008.

I caught up with Kevin during a brief break in his extremely busy schedule for a quick round of 20 Questions.

1. Most recent record album you purchased, and on what format?

I recently scored Lalo Schifrin’s Rock Requiem a few weeks ago on vinyl. I’m a huge fan of his soundtrack work and can’t pass up one of his discs.

2. Three tours (at any time in history) by three different musical artists you wish you could have attended?

Low-era Bowie would make my world. I saw him a few times, but that would be the dream period. Starless and Bible Black-era King Crimson would be another experience to immerse myself in. Marquee Moon-era Television would round out the list for me. Lloyd and Verlaine in the prime should be on every guitarist’s list.

3. The single most extravagant purchase you have ever allowed yourself to make?

Health insurance. I’ve been making mortgage sized payments for years and have seen no return on that investment. The plus side is I’m healthy, but the downside is the insurance industry.

4. When, where and with whom was the most emotional experience (good or bad) you’ve ever had playing music on stage, and why?

There are so many, I could write a book. Unfortunately, the performance I’m most emotional about I didn’t realize (when it was happening). That was the last time I played on stage with my partner in all things music, the late, great Keith Kozel.

5. What’s been the most surprising aspect so far of running your own architecture firm?

There haven’t been many surprises, I was involved in most aspects of the business at the previous places I worked, so the adjustment was more about what a business with my name on it would look like. I like making places for people to eat, drink, talk, gather and be entertained as much as being a shepherd for upstart business owners wading through the process of building and/or renovating for the first time.

6. The biggest misconception people have about architects?

That we all like to wear capes and build monuments to our egos, only 98 percent do.

7. One piece of advice to anyone hoping to become a serious, professional audio recording engineer in 2025?

Wear earplugs and learn to starve or have a large trust fund.

8. The single most important piece of parental advice you’ve offered any of your three children in these current times of worldwide anger and division?

As a parent it’s not about any single thing, it’s about everything, and all three of them are different but the ONE thing they will hear from me is that they are strong, smart and no matter what comes their way they can handle it.

9. Is there a standup comedian whose work you adore but that you know most people can’t stand?

I’ve always loved Emo Phillips and his ability to use language in imaginative ways. I’m also pretty sure neither one of us cares what people think.

10. Empanadas or pierogis?

That question is not fair.

11. One food you’re compelled to try whenever you see it on a restaurant menu?

Key Lime Pie.

12. Pancakes, waffles or French toast?

Pancakes

13. Would you rather be a window washer or a dishwasher?

(Laughs loudly)

14. Incense: Yes, or no?

15. One TV show you’ll always stop and watch if you happen upon it by chance?