HOW DID I EVER START DOING THIS??

People always ask me how I got into playing steel drums professionally all around the midwest?, well here you go....

I was a student at Indiana University studying percussion, marimba & drum set, but also timpani, vibraphone and drum corps rudimental styles.  But one fateful day in 1993 while instructing a marching band on a trip to Walt Disney World, my vision of percussion changed forever.  I saw “J.P. & the Silver Stars” performing outside of Pirates of the Caribbean ride - a steel drum band who had been performing there since the park opened in 1972.  I was amazed by the band & had to be pulled away from them. My life has never quite been the same.  

I went out and bought all the steel drums CDs I could find and just started to surround myself with the music, the culture, the island vibe. 

In 1996 I saw the Britian/Moore Duo, a marimba and steel drum duet.  Very inspiring to me.  Listening to the Pan play the lead parts over the marimba background, I figured I could do the marimba & percussion playing myself and record it, then just play steel drum live over it.  So that’s what I started working on.

I began arranging songs I loved and thought others would want to hear.  I recorded all the individual parts myself after learning them on marimba or drum set or whatever I needed.  It was a very slow process at first, lots of trial and error to get a good sound.  I essentially do the same thing now only the recording part has gotten to be much quicker thanks to my faster & better Apple computers over the years (and my knowledge of the process.)

I’d been wronged in love a couple years before all of this.  This was going to be my ticket away.  My master plan was I was going to leave the cold NW Indiana winters and play on a cruise ship and just be far away from that pain.  In the summer of 1998 I received my steel drum after waiting 10 months since I placed my order.  That very day, I met my future wife.  Coincidence or Divine intervention?? When I played my first gig several years later, we discovered we where expecting our first child. Just wow.

It was then a very frustrating & long journey teaching myself how to play the instrument. I’m still learning. Such a foreign instrument compared to all others I studied.

I feel what I do is very unique in my world of steel drummers.  I’m about the only panist I’ve found on the internet ANYWHERE who records his own backup tracks for more authentic sounding performances.  Others seems to think a computer/sequencer playing the parts is good enough.  I think Music, like the human body, the dunes, the sea, deserves soul and the ability to breath.

Now I have 7 CDs that sell way better than I could’ve ever imagined, both in digital downloads like AppleMusic or Spotify, and physical CDs.  I have a great teaching/recording studio, and I play constantly around the midwest.   I was even on Jimmy Fallon in 2022 and have had a PBS documentary done on me un 2021 !! I’ve only played on cruise ships out of Navy Pier but I’m good with that.

My “day job” consists of transporting around my amazing kids, teaching privately, writing marching drum line shows and recording - I also ride my bike….a lot! My wife owns & runs a VERY successful bakery!   I now teach drum lines  (both summer and winter) at LaPorte high school and Knox High School.  Other schools in my career include John Glen and Plymouth.

I have played with bands most of my adult life, & some pretty good ones too...... but this is my REAL passion now.  I’ve been very blessed to have this instrument find me and to do what I do.  I simply have the best job in the world.  I really can’t believe this is what I get to do. None of it would be possible if it weren’t for my amazing wife Shawn, and simply incredible daughter Samira and wonderful son Pierce.   They are my reason, and my strength as I continue down life's path, on the beach, by the waters edge....my favorite place.

Kent

5/28/04-3/5/21and continuing.....