Most high school students decide to start their first job at a grocery store or fast food place. Evan Kirkendall decided to open his own business.

Harford Sound has been responsible for the sound equipment at many local shows for the past few years.

“I started with my dad’s equipment when I was about 8 years old. When I got money, I bought my own stuff,” Evan explained. “I’ve been into music all of my life and my dad has been a musician for 30 years.”

Evan did chores around the house and mowed neighbors' yards for a few years to save up enough money for his own equipment.

He said his first shows were held at his house for his neighbors. He considers the 2004 Edgewood High talent show Harford Sound’s “first real show”.

“It was great, and a big step up from what Edgewood was used to,” Evan said.

Harford Sound has done every talent show since 2004, the winter pep rally last year, the homecoming dance this year and any school activities that organizations need help with.

“I volunteered my time at the Bel Air Bash for three years,” Evan said.

Evan does not handle all of the ‘behind the scenes’ work by himself. He said that Jon Watson, EHS senior, is his stagehand between band performances. Jon does stage set up and wires the instruments. Tom Manchester, who lives in Delaware, also works for Harford Sound and is Evan's “right hand man”.

“Working with Harford Sound is really fun. I get to meet a lot of people in bands and can see free concerts every week. Plus, I get my weekly workout lifting all of the equipment,” Watson said.

“We bring all of the gear that the band needs besides their own instruments,” Evan said.

Along with Watson, Seniors Greg Schlienand John Tress make up the band “Nuclear Summer”, Schlien said the band has been playing and recording with Evan since their sophomore year.

“He doesn’t charge me and he always wants to come and help with sound and recording,” Schlien said. “Evan actually knows what he is doing. Sometimes he gets a little bossy, but he knows what is best.”

Every business, no matter how small, needs to advertise so their name is heard.

“MySpace is a big influence. All the bands promote [Harford Sound]. Once somebody knows me, they tell someone else,” Evan said.

Evan plans to attend Harford Community College for two years for a degree in business and then transfer to Towson University to finish his education.

As for his business in the future, “I want to keep expanding [Harford Sound] and get as big as I can.”

For more information, check out their website at www.harfordsound.com.