Artist Profile: Heber Pampillon

Guitarist For the Award Winning, Kickin' Valentina

By Julie Senger

Heber is the talented, hard-rocking guitarist for Kickin Valentina, who started playing music when he was 13, and he also happens to call Woodstock, home. When asked how he got started in music, he states, I wanted to play guitar, so I walked into a music store in NJ, where I grew up, and told the guy that if he could play Stairway to Heaven, that Id take lessons from him, and he did. So I took lessons. I was blessed to have some great music teachers who always pushed me. From there, it just snowballed into playing in a bunch of different rock bands, and country and wedding bands. It was just constantly music music music, which was a good thing for me, because where I grew up was kind of a rough place. If it wasnt for music, I dont know where Id be.

In addition to being the guitarist for Kickin Valentina, Heber is also a songwriter, producer and music teacher at North Fulton School of Music. Some of his influences are Jimi Hendrix, Jake E Lee, John Sykes, and the bands Aerosmith and Kiss. Throughout his music career, hes been fortunate to play all over the world and perform shows with a lot of great musicians. Some of the more recent, notable artists and bands include: Buckcherry, Queensryche, Skid Row, Sebastian Bach, Faster Pussycat, Kix, LA Guns, Warrant, Autograph, Tom Keifer, Kip Winger and Femme Fatale, just to name a few.

Hebers influences, as well as a look at bands hes toured with, are good indicators of the type of sound you can expect from the award winning music of Kickin Valentina. Having only formed in 2013, theyve already received GA Music Awards Rock Band of the Year honor in 2014, and GA Music Awards Video of the Year award in 2015 for their song, Wrong Way.

When I spoke with Heber, Kickin Valentina had just gotten off of a tour that took them all over the United States. Their song, Get Ready, is currently being used by the Jacksonville Axemen rugby team for their promotional commercials and is played during their home games. Additionally, Get Ready and their song, Alone, is being featured in the movie, Altered, from award winning film director, Kely McClung. Kickin Valentina recently released their new album, Super Atomic, much to the delight of their ever-growing, die-hard fan base in the U.S. and abroad.

When asked if he had any advice for aspiring musicians, Heber replied, Dont give up! If you love music, then just keep playing, on any level you can. People define success in many different ways. If I can pay my bills and support my family playing music, that equals success for me. If you miss the guitar-driven rock n roll of the 80s and early 90s, Kickin Valentina is just what you need to fill that void in your current music library. Their new album, Super Atomic, can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon or directly from their website at KickinValentina.com.

KickinValentina.com