BUCYRUS — John Kildow was a toddler when he first realized he wanted to sing and play music.
His years in the trenches as a singer with one band and then another, have finally paid off. He was recently named the front man of the metal band Dead Reckoning.
The father of three and grandfather of one comes from a family with musical roots.
“My grandpa, John Cornett, played in the family band and I wanted to be just like him. He’s 90 years old and still sings and travels,” said Kildow, who grew up in Oceola.
Kildow’s dad, Fred, played guitar for country legend George Jones.
“I remember when I was very young, sitting beside my mom at the last show my dad played with him at the Marion Popcorn Festival. George came out and gave my mom a dozen red roses,” Kildow said.
Kildow said music is in his family’s blood.
“But mine is metal-based,” Kildow said. “I saw Pantera when I was 13 years old and knew that was the kind of music I wanted to sing. I am a screamer. There are a lot of kids out there who are hurting right now that know what I mean, that you just want to scream the words. Even the bluegrass songs I listened to growing up, I wanted to scream the words.”
Kildow was one of about 30 singers who answered the call to audition for Columbus, Georgia-based band Dead Reckoning.
“It took me three tries to get to Georgia. I drove straight through, 19 hours, to get there and it was totally worth it,” Kildow said. “This is a dream come true for me after years of things not working out. I have dealt with drug addiction, time in jail and even attempted suicide. I am living proof that dreams can come true.”
After being chosen as the front man, Kildow began putting his plan into motion to move from his current home in Topeka, Kansas, to Columbus Georgia.
“I searched for my high school girlfriend, Sarah Lee, for years,” Kildow said. “We met at Wynford High School.”
He didn’t think he would ever find her again but he did through social media and moved to Kansas to be with her. She said she will be making the move to Georgia with him.
Along with Kildow, who has the nickname of “Juggernaut,” the band includes Ryan “ANIMAL” Lake on drums, Brian “BRAYNE” Silverstein on bass and guitarist Mike “K-OS” Spriggs.
“The band was founded by four musicians who served in the military. Mike is the only founding member still in the band,” Kildow said.
Dead Reckoning has toured nationally and plans are in the works for the band to open for Megadeath and Lamb of God.
“I can’t believe how everything is finally working out for me,” Kildow said. “My advice to others is to never give up on your dreams.”
For more information visit the Dead Reckoning Facebook page.