Band profile & review for Kickin' Again

Band profile & review for Kickin' Again.

ST. PETERSBURG: In an area like Tampa Bay that has a predominately hard rock driven music scene, it is a refreshing escape from the norm when you come across a band that plays a different style & genre. After all, diversity is good...and when it comes to music, that philosophy can take on even more profoundness and relevance.

Tampa Bay is fortunate enough to have a very large, strong, and extremely talented music scene. Mixed in with all the harder rock bands like Sobriety X, Den of Thieves, Wikkid, Decepcion, etc., is a very talented & experienced band that marches to the beat of a different drummer. It’s a group of 8 seasoned musicians that started playing music back when the term "paying your dues" in this business really meant something. This band doesn’t play music that was originally released on an album that featured skulls, fire, or half naked women on the album covers..., this band doesn’t have musicians in it that have long hair, or who are wearing leather jackets or tight pants, you’re more likely to see them wearing dress pants & suit jackets...This band will probably forego the Doc Martens boots for loafers instead. This band plays music by the original Sam & Dave as apposed to Sammy Hagar & David Lee Roth. What this band is, is an amazing sounding R&B, Blues, Soul, & Funk band...this band is Kickin’ Again!

Band Profile:

Kickin' Again is made up of a collection of musicians who’s individual experiance dates back as far as the mid to late '60's. They all played in various groups throughout the eastern part of the country but for personal reasons, all left the music scene at some point.

After many years of being retired from music, Dane LaBarr (Drums) and Ken Hoye (Keyboards) discussed the possibility of forming a band together. After about 10 years of discussing the idea, Dane & Ken made the decision to seriously start looking for other musicians to form a band with. After an exhaustive six month search, they found 6 other musicians that they could form a band with. ....and Kickin' Again was born.

Band line-up:

Ken Hoye (Hammond B3, Keyboards & Vocals).

Ken Hoye was born in late January, 1950 near Cleveland, Ohio. Ken grew up poor, but at at a very young age he picked up an accordion and discovered he was able to play any song that came to mind. Within only a few years, he became well-known as a keyboard virtuoso. His family moved to the Tampa Bay Area in the late sixties which in time proved to be very beneficial to him. Ken is perhaps best known for being the keyboard player for the extremely popular Might Manfred and the Wonderdogs. Kens mastery of the Hammond B-3 organ is the foundation of Kickin’ Again’s unique sound.

Wendy LaForce (Lead Vocals & Percussion).

Wendy LaForce is a native of Rochester, NY. Wendy began singing at the age of 13, inspired by her chorus teacher, who helped with her training. By high school Wendy was singing solos in local and state competitions. Wendy has performed in a number of different bands, fronting them for the past 10 years. Wendy relocated to the Tampa Bay area in May 2010, and has been working steadily with Tongue n Groove and Angelo & Co. Wendy has also worked with Broken Roads and Jimmy James as well. Wendy performs a mixture of Modern & Classic Rock, Funk, Blues, Jazz and Modern Country. Her voice lends itself to a wide variety of music, coupled with a dynamic stage presence, Wendy never fails to put on a great show. Her musical Influences include Janis Joplin, Martina McBride, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin.

Tim Jones (Guitar & Vocals).

Tim Jones was born in 1958 in Jacksonville North Carolina, into a very musical household. His mom played hymns on the piano and his dad learned every tune Bill Monroe ever played and sang! Shortly after his 13th birthday, his dad sat him down in the living room and taught him the chords to his first song, Wildwood Flower. After playing the trombone for 6 years in junior and senior high schools, Tim landed the solo guitar position in the high school jazz band. From there he played in many local bands, with many local musicians until graduation in 1977. In 1981, Tim relocated to Atlanta Georgia where he played with many blues musicians & bands. This is where Tim picked up his signature guitar style. Playing with so many diverse musicians really taught Tim a lot about tone & timing. After 13 years in Atlanta, Tim relocated to St. Petersburg. His first weekend in Florida, he landed a gig with a local female fronted band. Since then, Tim has played with many Pinellas bands & musicians including Ozona, Hard Truth, Gunn Hill Road, The Kenny Flint Band, Back To Back, Liquorbox, Wild Energy, 60 Cycle Hum, 151 Band, Sheri & The Vision, Shaky Ground, and Burncard.

Rodney Rojas (Tenor Sax, Vocals, & Percussion).

Mike S. Rock (Trumpet, Vocals, & Percussion).

Don Bevers (Bass Guitar & Vocals).

Mark Hall (Bass Guitar & Vocals).

Dane LaBarr (Drums).

Dane LaBarr started playing the drums about the time the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan Show. Playing locally in upstate New York with various rock and show bands, he soon developed a very good reputation and was sought out to play often, mostly with "December's Children", a local rock band during that time. Dane would eventually join the band, Cross Town Bus, with who he would travel the state of New York performing with. Dane would go on to attend State University of New York at Oswego, and study music performance. There he played in most of the college musical organizations, including the concert band, along with "Solid State" which was the Jazz Lab band at the university. He also founded a 7 man horn band, "Stefan", which toured upstate New York for more than 2 years. After returning to his hometown of Liberty, New York in 1972, Dane would occasionally play for pick up bands for the resort community until forming "Nite Lite", which was a lounge/top 40 band. In 1978, Dane retired from the music scene until 2008 when he collaborated with Ken Hoye to form Kickin Again.

The sound generated by these 8 gifted musicians and vocalists have gelled into an outstanding blend of musical styles ranging from Soul, R&B, Classic Rock and Funk.

Show Review - St. Pete. Pier, January 23rd, 2011:

On Sunday, January 23rd, I had the privilege of watching this amazing ensemble perform at the St. Pete Pier. Originally the band was set to perform outside, under the beautiful Florida sunshine. Unfortunately Pier staff had to move the band indoors at the last minute, due to the possibility of inclement weather. However, just like the saying goes, "The show must go on."

Kickin’ Again performed some of the best R&B, Soul, and Funk music I have heard live in a long, long time. They ran the musical gamete from the 1960's through to the 1980's. Everything from Aretha Franklin to Sam & Dave, and even a little Doobie Brothers mixed in for good measure. Individually, this band has years of experience behind them...and believe me when I say that it shows in their performance. To say that I was impressed with their performance that day would be an understatement. They looked great, and sounded even better!

If you are a huge fan of this style & genre of music, then you definitely need to see a Kickin’ Again show...you won’t be disappointed! Even if you are not a big fan of this style & genre of music, or simply have not ever been exposed to it yet...then it’s about time you have been. Catch one of their performances, you don’t know what you are missing!

Along with Gary Gagne (Sound & Lighting), Kickin’Again plays several Tampa Bay area venues including JC Cravers, The Zone Lounge, The Beach Bar, Blu Smoke Island Grill, Wahoo’s On The Island Bar & Grill, Quaker Steak & Lube, and the St. Pete Pier.

For booking information, please email Bookings@kickinagain.com or call 813-892-9859.