KEN NEWBERRY BASS GUITAR , LEAD & HARMONY VOCALS
Ken has been playing music professionally for over 35 years. Ken came from a large and very musical family. Everyone in his family sings and or plays a musical instrument. Ken joined his first band at the age of 14 and had his first professional gig before he was 15. Since his father was a minister, Ken spent a lot of time learning and playing gospel music. Every time there was a church service you could find Ken playing music. Starting out as a guitar player, he played dance, parties and jam sessions through his high school years while growing up in Houston, TX. When it came time for college, off he went to pursue a bachelors degree in music. However after two years the desire for playing music live took over and he went on the road playing five and six nights a week in hotels and nightclubs all up and down the east coast. After a while Ken realized that he actually preferred playing bass guitar more than guitar. He also realized there were fewer singing bass players than there were guitar players. Since that switch, he has never looked back and never regretted his decision and it is a rare thing for him to be without a gig for very long.
As solid and strong as Ken is as a bass player, his real strength is his vocals. Blessed with a strong, clear, beautiful voice he has wowed many an audience with his vocal talent. Locally Ken has worked with local legends such as Brent Rozell, Buddy Whittington, Ron Norman, Ron Ramirez, Robert Lee Cobb, Bono Saunders, Yancey Stevens, and many others. On a larger scale, Ken has played with national recording artists Earl Thomas Conley, Bill "Crash" Craddock, Narvel Felts, T. Graham Brown, Christopher Cross and Louise Mandrell.
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DENNIS KILMER DRUMMER/PERCUSSIONIST LEAD & HARMONY VOCALS
Dennis has been smacking the drums since he was in the eighth grade. He has played in local and regional bands since 1971. Dennis has played in hard rock bands, soft rock bands, country bands, blues bands, rhythm & blues bands, jazz bands and even symphony pop ensembles. Lets just say Dennis has a lot of musical experience. Always seeking to be the best he could be, for three years he pursued a music degree in percussion. However before he could finish his academics he was enticed away to actually play music professionally instead of only studying about it.
Open Road, Hammer, Just in Thyme, Radar Men, Cat Daddy, Crown Jewels, and Pecos are just a few of the local bands Dennis has played with. Some of the local music legends he has played with are Buddy Whittington, Steve Hill, Mark Murray & Lou Tielli of Big Smoo & the Trailer Park Kings. His band "Pecos" was offered the opportunity to open for the "Oak Ridge Boys" on a nationwide tour. Unfortunately due to some family issues with one of the band members they sadly had to pass up the opportunity. Luckily for Deja Blue, Dennis did not hang up his rock & roll shoes after that huge disappointment.
Laying down a solid backbeat and playing with a crisp tight groove are the trademarks that make Dennis such an outstanding drummer. Adding in the fact that he sings excellent harmony vocals and belts out some fine lead vocals, makes Dennis a very valuable asset to DEJA BLUE.
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KYLE MATHIS LEAD & RHYTHM GUITAR , LEAD & HARMONY VOCALS
Kyle has been playing music since he was knee-high to a duck. Starting out in a family band at the age of 6 and moving through several local and regional bands, one thing has remained constant. Kyle loves to play music ! With a resume that includes playing lead guitar for national recording artists: TC Taylor, Sons of the Desert, and Deryl Dodd, it is clear Kyle is recognized as a premier guitarist. Employed as a professional accompanist for Jude Tabernacle COGIC Praise Band, and Faith Bible Church Worship Ensemble, solidifies his credibility as a flexible and consummate musician. Whenever DEJA BLUE takes time off, Kyle is a first-call for sub gigs with Spur 503, Zuzu Peddals, and Flat Rock Junction. Kyle does his best to fit in with any style of music. Musically educated at the renowned Commercial Music Program at McLennan Community College in Waco, TX., Kyle learned what it would take to be a successful real-world musician. Studying under professors Clark Nauert and Kenny Frazier allowed Kyle to hone his guitar technique and musical theory to top shelf excellence.
Kyle also is a very strong vocalist. He contributes either lead or harmony vocals on every DEJA BLUE song. Another reason this band is so unique is they are very strong on vocal talent. Kyle knows a craftsman is only as good as his tools. Understandably Kyle complements his talent with excellent tools : customized Stratocaster, customized Telecaster, Danelectro 12 string, Takamine acoustic, Line 6 and Fender "Blues Junior" rigs. Kyle also plays and endorses "Tex-Tone" pickups in his favorite Telecaster.
Influences
IN no particular order: Eagles Three Dog Night, Van Morrison, Grand Funk Railroad, Bill Withers, Lynryd Synyrd, ZZ Top, Bob Seger, Tom Petty, Otis Redding, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dire Straits,Righteous Brothers, Black Crows, CCR, Temptations, Eric Clapton, Steve Miller Band, Dobie Gray, Rolling Stones, Bill King, Delbert McClinton, Jimi Hendrix, Blue Image, Steppenwolf, Chris Issac, Warren Zevon, Five Man Electric Band, Lee Michaels, Dwight Yokum, Manfred Man, The Beatles, The James Gang, Bad Finger, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Jimmy Buffet, Santana, Gary Morris, Restless Heart, Fabulous Thumderbirds, Amazing Rhythm Aces, and many more that just don’t come to mind righit now with many more to come as our music evolves.
Deja Blue has been rocking the DFW music scene since April 2004. Combining a high level of talent with hard work has molded this power ensemble into a unique Classic Rock, Blues, and Rhythm & Blues Band. Strong lead and harmony vocals and guitar wizardry are the trademarks of DEJA BLUE.
Great interaction with the audience gives this group a unique appeal and creates and builds a strong following. This BAND ROCKS!!
DEJA BLUE also carries with them a state of the art sound system that allows them to provide a very clear and clean coverage without blasting everyone out of the room.
An evening with DEJA BLUE will leave you wanting more as they close the last song with a soaring guitar solo or a tight vocal harmony lick. The band's name is derived from that feeling "I've heard that song before" Viola!! Deja Vu transforms to Deja Blue.
THIS IS A BAND TO EXPERIENCE IN PERSON-- Don't miss out!
FOR BOOKING INFO CONTACT KEN NEWBERRY 5stringvocal@sbcglobal.net
DEJA BLUE GIVIN' IT UP ..
DEJA BLUE "MY GIRL" DEJA BLUE at Up In Smoke COLD SHOT ..
DEJA BLUE at Up In Smoke Sultans of Swing ..
Ken & the boys! Thanks for letting me sit in for Dennis and sub for y'all on drums last night @ Reflections. Great fun. Good meeting and playing with y'all boys! wade johnson
It was great seeing DEJA BLUE sat nite in Denton. Great club. There are new pictures added in the Deja Blue album on my myspace. There are also new Deja Blue videos under my vids on my myspace. Just click on "newest" to find them.
Ken, Thanks for coming out to see The Earthtones first gig (ever) and for the kind words. Looking forward to catching a Deja Vu show ASAP!!! wade johnson
