Kevin McKay: Harmonicas; Daniel Warren: Keyboards; Darren Metz, Rick Davis, and Rocky Berra: Guitars; Roland Kurz: Drums; Daniel Kurz: Bass
Influences
Paul Butterfield, Lee Oskar, Corky Siegel, Charlie McCoy, George Smith,
and Norton Buffalo.
Harp players that really get it done......P.T. Gazelle. Jellyroll, Terry McMillan,
Dennis Gruenling, Jason Ricci, Bob Corritore, Kim Wilson........
Long time, close friends and influences...TJ Klay, Brian Miller and Roger Russo.
Sounds Like
Bits and pieces of everyone I have ever heard.
Hopefully, I kept the good parts.
Kevin McKay is not your traditional harmonica player. He is well versed in Country, Blues. Rock, R&B, Southern rock, Inspirational and Jazz. What is his favorite style of music? He loves it all. Kevin is extremely versatile, which has enabled him to ply his trade with passion for over twenty years.
McKay delivers an edgy brand of harmonica. Amplified edge, yet clean licks. Long notes, precise bends. His style allows songs to breathe. He a very dynamic player. He blends chromatic and diatonic harmonicas into a style all his own.
Of French and Indian (Ojibwa) descent, Kevin was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1956. The third of seven children, born to parents of very limited means, Kevin learned early to make his own choices and earn his own way. His family moved back and forth between Michigan and California. The constant traveling (always being the new kid) created a situation where music took the place of lasting friendships. Kevin sang in bands in Junior High bands in 1968 and 1969. He had not yet picked an instrument.
Kevins life changed in 1972 he went to see Maria Muldaur in Detroit. The opening act was Paul Butterfield. Kevin had heard harmonica before, but never like that. He was amazed. He went up to the stage at the end of the show and talked to Butterfields keyboard player. Ronnie Barron was kind enough to reach into Paul Butterfields case and gave him a Marine Band harmonica. He decided at that moment to learn to play. Kevin ran around the building to the stage entrance and bothered Butterfield until he gave Kevin a harmonica from his own hand. He started playing that night while hitching home from the concert. Learning to play did not come easy and finding help proved difficult ( harmonica players are not known for giving away secrets). Kevin started listening to any record he could find with harmonica on it. He didnt know about keys yet, but he got the idea and started to improve. A few months later he was invited to play with acoustic artists in coffee houses and small clubs. The more he played in front of an audience the more marked the improvement.
In 1974 Kevin enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While overseas, limited language skills left him with a ridiculous amount of time to practice. Eight hours a day for three years. Living in Europe also exposed Kevin to many different bands, many of which were kind enough to let a skinny young harmonica player the forum to hone his skills. In 1977 he joined a group from Uruguay. No one in the group spoke English, and Kevins Spanish was limited, but the music was enough communication for everyone. It was a very special time for Kevin, finding a group with the patience to allow him to incorporate harmonica into Sergio Mendez, Santana and so much more. Kevin fell in love with the Latin rhythms.
Kevin returned to the States in 1979. He started working as part of a horn section in a Rhythm and Blues band. The earlier experience in the Latin group proved useful in adapting to this music form. Not long after he started playing Rock and Blues . Kevin was finally able to put an amplified edge to his harmonica playing. In 1980 he was fortunate to meet Norton Buffalo. Norton was very open about harmonica technique, and application. Not long after, Kevin switched over to Country, and Western Swing. He played primarily country music for the next two decades. Kevin was a member of several groups over this time. He made several appearances on The Nashville Network, on cable shows and the Grand Ole Opry.
Over the last twenty plus years, Kevin McKay has played with, or shared bills with some of biggest artists in music. Johnny Winter, Hank Thompson, Johnny Paycheck, Tommy Overstreet, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Reba, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., Harry Chapin, Michael Bolton, Alabama, Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band, Muddy Waters and Loretta Lynn.
Kevin has toured extensively around the world. He has performed in Germany, England, Spain, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Canada and the United States.
Currently, Kevin is a principle member of Big Head/Warner Bros recording artists The Warren Commission. T.W.C. is jazz group, blending blues, jazz and rock.
T.W.C. is being played all over the U.S., Canada and throughout Europe.
Kevin is also recording a solo project. He says it is time for a new direction in harmonica evolution.
Kevin McKay plays Lee Oscar diatonic harmonicas and Hohner chromatics.
For more information:
www.rross05@comcast.net
Hey Kevin! It was a pleasure singing w/ you the other night!
You know... I always have a great time when you're on the gig. And, I promise, if I ever need your amazing harmonica skills for something, I'll give you a shout!
Hi Kev, Thank you. It was such a joy to meet you too. :) I enjoyed talking with you very much...even though it was kind of hard to hear because of the noise. We will again though. You are a real sweetheart, and you sounded so awesome on stage. I will let you know how the pictures turn out when I get them developed. I know the ones that I took of you will be great. The video will be even better! I'll bring it next time... Hugs, Debbie MySpace Comments
Thank you for taking a listen to my music. Glad you liked what you heard!
I hope you'll stop by www. davidshelbymusic. com to hear a sampling of all the tracks from my debut CD, I Came to Play. I look forward to hearing what you think.
Hey Kev.. How ya been my friend? Just finished recording another really cool song. And I must say, you are by far the best Harp player/ musician. I've been lucky to have you as a friend, and to enjoy your great sounds on some of my songs! You need anything, just hollar!
Download 77 Cooney & Eliot songs! Order CD's including Champagne Shampoo, Glenn Eliot Compilation, and Bones, by Bob Cooney! Check out Cooney & Eliot Worldwide Radio Broadcast, and the Glenn Eliot Public Radio sessions! www. cooneyandeliot. com/
Hey Kevin, Hope alls well on that side of town. Been staying busy here recording more stuff and laying tracks (& of course writing). This summer, you and the family are invited over for a back yard cook out. Thanks again for the fine job your do on our songs here.
Hey, Kevin! Pomeroy is the eastern corner of Ohio...Thank you for keeping tabs, my friend! I am sure I will meet you face to face sooner rather than later!
Howdy,Kev Happy Mothers Day To All The Moms Out There In Your Life !!! The Greators Of Us All!!! Wish "U" Well !!! I Sure Would Like To Work On A Harp Duet With Ya "1" Day !!!!! (o:Smiley:o)
Hey Kevin, thanks so much for the add. Always glad to meet such a big Frampton fan as myself!! I have been by your site and I love your music, only hope that someday I will get to see you play it in person someday. If you ever come to Wisconsin, or Minnesota, let me know. You are the best! XOXO
hey Kev! how awesome to hear from you. I've missed you too. I was just thinking of you yesterday!!! Yes...almost done. graduate in June. YAYYYY! I wish you could come out here for my celebration party. God knows it took long enough.
I'm working on a new portfolio, that will be on display soon. I'll try to send you a few images, as I complete them. Other than that, i'm volunteering at "The Gorilla Foundation" and I love it. We'll have to chat soon! xo
Hey Kev, You're right. It isn't exactly "down the street", but one of these days you might play on a weekend.....or even a little closer. I will more than likely be able to be there when you do. I know I want to be. :)
Happy Birthday, and many more to my favorite harp player! I hope all of your wishes come true as you blow out all of your candles (that light up all of the SE Michigan area!) lol Love ya, Kev. I hope it's a really great day for you. :) Hugs, Debbie Myspace Comments
Howdy Kev, It's Good To Hear From Ya. I Hope Everything is Going Well With Ya!!! I Sure Love Your Music Especially Havana it Reminds Me of Southern Ca!!!!That track make Me fill Good And Home Sick :0)I Sure Do Miss Baja!!!! Take Care & "Keep On Harpin"
Hello Kevin Thanks for the add and for your kind words. I learn harmonica since two months. I work I work I hope that a day I could play the blues.Blues nothing that Blues. ;o)) Greeting for south of France Kiss Kenya
Grazie Kevin McKay per la tua amicizia.Complmenti per il tuo fantastico sound.Con un soffio armonico ti auguro tanta soddisfazione artistica.Sei un grande. Ciao AldoBlues.......
Hey brother, how are you doing ? excuses me to be late to responding you, but i wasn't fine. Now it's better. Always nice music here, and news good photos. On my profile you'll can see one music-video added soon. Me, singing poetry in french language composed by a friend of mine. Let me know what you'll thinking about it.
But i'm not like you, you're a God with your harmonica. Very amazing to listening.
Kevin, Good to hear from you. I've been to slow at getting back to you, getting better at that. Thanks for the comment, it means a lot that people like my playing. Especially, from players like you. Steve
