Songwriter Ken Davis is no longer waiting for the industry to give him permission — he’s getting his songs out there. Photo: Ken Davis.
For Illawarra songwriter Ken Davis, turning 64 isn’t a time to slow down — it’s the moment he finally steps into the spotlight.
On Wednesday 9 July — his birthday — Ken will release Little Boys, his debut single under the moniker Kembla Saltworks. A heartfelt modern country anthem about raising rambunctious boys to become kind and grounded men, the track is a long-awaited milestone in a decades-long musical journey.
“I’ve been interested in music for as long as I can remember,” Ken says. “I played in odd little bands, but I never quite found the right crew. Then life got in the way.”
Four years ago, with more time and creative energy on his hands, Ken turned his focus to songwriting and tried to “crack the Nashville scene” in hopes of landing the elusive artist cut or sync placement. But despite coming close on several occasions, that breakthrough never came. What held him back, he says, was his voice.
“My biggest weakness has always been my singing … It’s not terrible — it just ain’t good enough,” he chuckles.
That changed with the rise of ethical AI vocal tools. Having dabbled with various technologies over the years Ken says in the last year AI has reached a point where he can produce commercial-quality vocals without a professional singer. Reactions were telling.
“I played a song to the best musician I know and he asked, ‘Who’s the singer?’. Even my A&R contact said, ‘I think I need to change my attitude on AI voices.'”
The result is Little Boys — a powerful track that blends modern country influences with a thoughtful message about positive masculinity. Inspired by artists such as Neil Young, Paul Kelly, Luke Combs and Bob Dylan, Ken’s music combines lyrical honesty with storytelling rooted in lived experience.
“I’ve always loved the blend of poetry, storytelling, and speaking truth to power,” Ken says.
The cover of Ken’s single Little Boys was AI generated. Image: Ken Davis.
Little Boys tackles the challenge of raising spirited young boys without crushing their sense of self — a message Ken hopes will resonate with fathers, brothers, uncles, coaches, teachers and mentors. As the song says: With a little guidance, good men grow up from little boys.
It’s a subject Ken knows intimately, having spent the past 20 years working in mental health. That experience — listening to people’s stories, struggles and breakthroughs — has shaped his songwriting in profound ways.
“There’s a strong theme of mental health and wellness running through my songs,” he says. “Some of my most compelling lyrics come directly from what I’ve learned by walking alongside others.”
The shift from private songwriting to public release was also driven by an online songwriting club, which challenged members to write, record and upload a new song each week.
Ken says it reveals a common struggle among artists across any discipline: perfectionism can be the enemy of progress.
“That really changed my creative process. I went from trying to write the perfect song to churning stuff out. It might sound counterintuitive, but I found it did help me creatively,” he says.
Now, with a growing body of work and nothing left to lose, Ken is embracing his role as an independent artist — and celebrating the release of his first single with characteristic humility and hope.
“I still want to be a songwriter, but I’m turning 64 on 9 July and I’m realising my big break might never come. If I wait for the industry to give me permission, I may never get these songs out there. So I’m going to seek out the people who want to hear them,” he says.
Whether Little Boys becomes a hit, attracts a cult following or remains a hidden gem, Ken hopes it will spark meaningful conversations about how we raise boys — and what it means to model masculinity with strength, kindness and grace.
“I hope it invites listeners to reflect on positive masculinity, aiming to spark healthy conversations that move beyond culture wars and stereotypes, both old and new,” Ken says.
Little Boys is available on all major streaming platforms from Wednesday 9 July — see Ken’s Linktree to have a listen.
