Young talent

Photo by Hans Marsen

Chaz McKinney, 13, of Elizabethtown will perform at 8 p.m. Friday during a release party at Winker B's. The local songwriter/musician recently completed production of his CD "The Notebook EP," which consists of six of his original songs.

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Photo by Hans Marsen

Chaz McKinney, 13, of Elizabethtown will perform at 8 p.m. Friday during a release party at Winker B's. The local songwriter/musician recently completed production of his CD "The Notebook EP," which consists of six of his original songs.

Buy this photo

Staff Report   ELIZABETHTOWN — The culmination of two years of work will be a reason to sing for 13-year-old Chaz McKinney, who will premier an album of his music at a release party Friday night. McKinney will perform an acoustic session at the free event to be held at Winker B’s from 8 p.m. until midnight. The teen songwriter and musician spent the past two years getting “The Notebook EP” produced. “The Notebook EP,” which contains six of McKinney’s songs, will be available through CD Baby, iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody. McKinney will also offer his CD for sale at the release party and through his Web site at www.chazmckinney.com. The Elizabethtown teen got his first guitar at age 10. Since then he has written scores of songs and performed his original rock compositions at area venues. Among the places McKinney has performed are Louisville's 4th Street Live, Phoenix Hill Tavern, Headliners Music Hall and Coyote's. His songs are currently in rotation on IndieLife Radio. Some of the bands McKinney lists as influential are Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Weezer and Goo Goo Dolls.   IF YOU GO: The release party for "The Notebook EP" by local 13-year-old musician Chaz McKinney will be held 8 p.m. Friday at Winker B's in Elizabethtown. The event is free. To learn more about Chaz McKinney visit his Web site at www.chazmckinney.com.