FAQ’S
Q: You always seem to have a hat on. Is there a reason for this?
Kenny: I really like hats, and they have for some funny reason, become a part of me. Whenever I don’t wear my hats people say, “where is your ‘Kenny’ hat?”.
Q. How long do drum sticks last you?
Kenny: My drum sticks can last about 5 months before I start getting splinters in my fingers!
Q. What would you do if you could not play the blues anymore?
Kenny: The blues is engraved so deep in me that in some form it will always be a part of me and if I could not play the blues anymore, I would definitely have the blues! I would probably play the blues in my basement and still have fun the same way that I do now.
Q. What other styles of music do you play?
Kenny: I can play a variety of music styles, but for me, it’s from playing the blues that I can be so versatile and play so many different forms of music.
Q. Do you ever get bored playing the drums?
Kenny: No- I never get bored playing drums. I am a Drummer For Hire, Session Drummer, Studio Drummer, Touring drummer, and also a drummer for Commercials and Jingles. I love playing with all of my heart, every day, night, rain, shine, or snow!
Q. How do you keep your schedule straight with so many performances and commitments around the world?
Kenny: I make it a priority to keep myself organized, and I check, recheck and recheck my schedule every day to keep everything in order! I want to make sure that I can be there for the events and my fans, which is important to me.
Q. What do you do to unwind after a performance?
Kenny: I usually get in my car to drive home and turn the radio on to listen to relaxing music, and sometimes I treat myself to a Krispy Kreme donut! Hahaha.
Q. Have you ever shown up for a gig on the wrong date or in the wrong city?
Kenny: I have come close before, but no, that has not happened.
Q. What is the weirdest or funniest thing that ever happened on a gig?
Kenny: There was a performance in Canada that I did, and I had brought brand new drum sticks for the show, but as soon as we started the show, my sticks broke, so I grabbed another pair, and they broke after one stroke and that kept happening over and over again. By the end of the show, I played with a pair of sticks that I used a whole roll of duck tape to repair. That had never happened to me before!
Q. How are you able to switch from one genre to another without even practicing?
Kenny: Sometimes we do practice, and sometimes we try new songs on stage and cross our fingers that the song turns out alright.
Q. Who in a given music group is the leader and setting the pace of a song?
Kenny: The group leader is normally the one that pays you at the end of the night! LOL. It is the vocalist who sets the pace for the songs they are singing or the band Director.
Q. How do you stay so skinny? Do you eat?
Kenny: Everyone always asks me that, and I tell them that when I eat, I eat a lot! I try to stay healthy, but I have a weakness for breakfast food, and also I heard that playing drums is like running a 5K.
Q. Why do you have the clock on your drum?
Kenny: The clock on my drum has a time on it which never changes in time- which means that the time stays the same, always, as a drummer.
Q. I have heard you sing and you have a great voice. Will you ever make a Kenny Beedy Eye’s Smith CD?
Kenny: Thank you for the compliment and Yes, I will soon come out with a Cd to do my part in keeping the blues alive. I will keep You posted on that date when it is released.
Q. Can you name a couple of famous drummers that you like?
Kenny: Willie Big Eyes Smith, Fred Below, and definitely several others.
Q. When was your first desire to become involved in the blues & who was your first Idol?
Kenny: My first desire was when I was a young boy watching my father and all of his friends practice in our basement. I then went to a show and watched thousands of people enjoying these same songs that I had heard in my own house that was my moment, and my first idol is and will always be Willie Big Eyes Smith, not because he was a great blues Legend, most of all he was a great Father.
Q. Are there any memories of all these “blues cats” which you’d like to share with us?
Kenny: I can remember going to a Muddy show and seeing a whole bunch of musicians, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and many others, sitting around playing cards laughing and joking all night long. It was late… so I went to sleep on the couch, and when I woke back up again, they were still playing cards, laughing, and joking. By this time the sun was coming out.
Q: Do you feel that being around, so many musicians and music as a child gave you such a saturation to Blues that it became second nature?
Kenny: Absolutely, so many musicians knew me, even before I could even speak my first word out of my mouth. They were at my house so much that I only knew them as family. This house was also the previous residence to Muddy Waters, located at 4339 South Lake Park Ave in Chicago, IL. Someone was always there hanging out or rehearsing in the basement. Being very young, I fell in love with the sound of the blues- back then, I could not explain the emotions that would run through my body when I heard it, but I knew that I liked it. Whenever they would practice, I would sit in my little chair, listening and watching, taking it all in. If they practiced for hours, I would be right there with them the whole time.
Q: You state most of your mentoring on drums came from your Dad. What was his approach as a teacher?
Kenny: He knew I enjoyed playing the drums, so he bought me my first drum kit, and if I didn’t understand something, he would show me and sometimes practice with me.
Q: Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?
Kenny: Music has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I’m grateful to be able to pursue it as an independent artist. I started performing professionally in my early teens, but my love for music began much earlier.
Q: What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music? What
performers have been your inspiration?
Kenny: Growing up in Chicago, IL, the local blues and jazz scene had a profound impact on my musical development. Artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Art Blakey were constant inspirations, and their influence can be heard in my own songwriting and performances.
Q: What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
Kenny: As an independent artist, navigating the music industry can certainly be challenging. Balancing creative freedom with commercial appeal is an ongoing process, but I try to stay true to my artistic vision while also connecting with my audience.
Q: What do you base your success on?
Kenny: I try not to focus too much on traditional measures of success. For me, it’s about creating music that I’m passionate about and connecting with my audience in a meaningful way.
Q: Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
Kenny: Collaborating with other musicians has always been a highlight of my creativity. The exchange of ideas and perspectives can push me in new directions and help me grow as an artist. Some of my most memorable performances have been during these collaborative projects, where the energy and synergy between the artists creates a truly magical experience.