James Kelly, drummer, was born April 22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born into a musical family, Jim has been drumming since he first got his hands on his mom's silverware and cookware, and it's a good thing he didn't stop there!
When he says, "music is what I do", he means it. Jim played the cans for Maxx, a South Jersey club rock band, before striking out on his own at age 20 and touring the country with various artists.
Finding himself out West, Jim free-lanced for awhile in LA, before taking a break in 1980. However, he was never out of music altogether. During his drumming hiatus, Jim worked at Wherehouse Entertainment, Zia Records, and for the Warner Music Group.
Jim returned to drumming in 1994 in Phoenix, AZ with High Sierra. Keeping his finger on the pulse of the music industry, he was the Chief Operating Officer for Zia Records. In 2002, Jim joined Warner Music Group and moved back East.
At home once again in South Jersey, Jim played in Revolver, a local "dance floor packing" classic rock cover band from 2005 -2012 , in August 2011, Jim met Kenny Young, and joined Kenny in his rocking country musical pursuit.
What gear do you use?
I am fortunate to have two kits;
Kenny Young Band
DW Collectors 5 piece , ruby red glass
8x10
9x12
14x16
18x22
6x14
DW 9000 series hardware
14in Zildjian k session custom hi hats (2) bottoms
12,14,16,17,18,20,and 17 Sabian hhx evolution cymbals
SKB cases
I use vic firth terry bozzio phse 1 sticks, remo heads, aquarian heads SKII kick,
gibraltar wood bd beaters.
Audix mics.
I love this kit and believe DW is the worlds greatest drum company.
5 piece PDP Platinum maple drums
8x10
10x12
14x16
18x22
Pork Pie (Big Black) 6.5x14 snare drum
PDP 900 series hardware
DW 9000 pedal, Gibraltar wood beater
Wolfpack bags
Zildjian A cymbals..
This is an excellent club gig kit ( I have to lug this kit to my bar gigs ) hahaha
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
I love Ringo and Charlie Watts. anyone that can sit on a groove till the walls sweat...
Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?
Kenny Young Band
www.kennyoungband.com
kennyyoungband@gmail.com
original alt/country..................