- April 19, 2024
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For the last two years, Kevin Kane has been a voice on the KIX Country 98.7 morning show. But Kane is no newbie to the radio, having worked in it as a hobby since the 1970s. For 32 years, as he worked in his career, Kane often said that if he could do anything, it would be to get back into radio and play in a band.
Now, in retirement, Kane is doing both, on the radio at KIX in the morning and moonlighting on drums with a local country band, Southern Chaos.
“I’m retired, but love doing this; it’s been a love my whole life,” Kane said, while sitting in his studio at Flagler Broadcasting. “It’s an adventure, not a job.”
Kane started playing drums 10 years ago therapeutically, as a way to take out frustrations of the job. He bought a drum set from a security guard at his work, and started channeling the basics he learned as a youth. Playing along with the radio soon led to connecting with blues and rock bands for gigs around Connecticut, where he lived at the time.
After moving to Flagler County, he hooked up with a three-piece rock band, The Buzzards, but soon wanted a change and joined country band Native Skeeter, upon answering a craigslist ad for a drummer.
When Native Skeeter disbanded last year, several key band members, including Kane, formed Southern Chaos. The band’s diverse playlist includes new and classic country, Southern rock, and pop. Lead singers are Tammie Darlene and Chris Canyon, a dynamic vocal duo who also appear on their own locally. Rounding out the six-piece band are Jerry Schafer on keyboard, and guitarists Bruce Bundy and Elliot Kayne.
Southern Chaos, which plays frequently at Finn’s Beachside Pub in Flagler Beach and Frank’s Place in Ormond by the Sea, will be featured at the Brian Earl Foster Invitational Bull Riding Championship May 9, at the Flagler County Fairgrounds.
“It’s an absolute big deal,” Kane said about playing at the event. “Being a country band, we couldn’t ask for a more excited audience than at rodeo. Not only do I want to be a good representative for the band, but also for the radio station. We take a lot of pride in KIX, and a lot of pride in the band. For me, it’s a melding of the night.”
The band will play from 5 p.m. until the rodeo starts and then again after the championship buckle is awarded. Darlene will also kick off the rodeo by singing the national anthem.
“We’re hoping that people will stick around and party with us,” Kane said. “The bottom line is, it’s our fans that make it all worthwhile. It’s fun to play, but it’s more fun to see people enjoying the music.”
Upcoming shows
6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Brian Earl Foster Memorial Bull Riding Championships, at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, Bunnell
1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, on the deck at Finn’s Beachside Pub, Flagler Beach
9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday, May 22, downstairs at Finn’s Beachside Pub, Flagler Beach
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, May 30, at Frank’s Place, Ormond by the Sea
1-5 p.m. Sunday, June 14, on the deck at Finn’s Beachside Pub, Flagler Beach
1-5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, on the deck at Finn’s Beachside Pub, Flagler Beach
