The End

I wanted to let my friends know that my time drumming with Smokin Joe Kubek Band has come to an end.

A year and a half ago i was given this opportunity through a few miraculous events. I dropped what i was doing and hit the road. My time was well spent. I am a much better drummer/person.

We found a great drummer to take my place. Her name is Ms Morgan and she lives in Dallas. wwwmyspace.com/txdrummergirl I wish her and the band all the best.

I will miss the road and all the great music. i will miss the band and all the great fans. It was the greatest year and a half in my life. I hope i get the chance to make music with them again some day. Thanks to all the fans that made me feel welcome along the way. Fell free to keep in touch.

I am excited about spending more time at home with my beloved Ruby. I am diligently working at my construction company as we struggle in the harsh economy. I am working hard with my local band "Road Dogs". we have 9 gigs booked in the coming months and i am working on keeping us hopping.

35 states, 6 countrys and 150 gigs or so......

I learned a ton in my time with SJK. Most importantly I truly learned a lot about myself.

Thanks to everyone that helped me live a dream. This was a privilege that i was so freely given.

Peace.

Dave K

www.davekdrums.com

The Upstage, Port Townsend, WA May ?, 2008

Jazzbones, Tacoma WA, May?, 2008

Before the gig we visited the Wormoth Guitar factory just outside of Tacoma. www.warmoth.com/ It is a very cool family owned business with some amazing guitars for sale.

Jenna and Antoinette. Thanks for coming (2 nights in a row) and hanging with us after the show.


This is a great club in a "young" area of Tacoma with lots of nightlife. Last time we played here Joe had was not with us and we did it as a trio...Interesting but fun. It felt great to be there with him and we tore it up. Even the Sushi Chef was dancing. Stage and sound was great. This was the second to last gig after 7 weeks on the road and 14,000 miles of traveling. Not sure how i felt at the time. Probably sad it was almost over and thrilled that i would be home soon in my beloved Ruby's arms.

Highway 99 Club Seatle WA

This club is right on the water in the downtown area. The only bummer was a large flight of stairs down to it. We get pretty tired on the road and carrying our gear up and down stairs is a huge BUMMER. Right next to the club is Pikes Place Market, the birthplace of Starbuck's coffee of which we are huge fans. We got loaded in early and went back to the hotel to relax a while. I had taken a long walk for exercise that morning so i was especially sore. We showed up and launched around 9:00 i think. Parking a van and trailer in a downtown area is no walk in the park either. Our show went well. There were SJK fans that can from as far as 2 hours away. I met Antoinette (celebrated her birthday with us) who said she would come the next gig in Tacoma...and did. Thank so much. We came 2000 but that another story. The show was fun except for some sound system struggles. People were dancing right away and dug what we did. We are book back there on August, 24th 2008. We took the elevator on the way out since we could park on the street at 2:30 AM.....

Fun gig and i believe the food was good but i can't remember what we had.

Mike Nesmith's Video Ranch, Sand City CA

www.videoranch.com

Me and Mike Nesmith (Monkees) at his "Video Ranch". I wore my "Freak Out" shirt because Mike was good friends with the late great Frank Zappa. Freak Out was the name of Zappa's first album. Mike told me a great story about FZ being on The Monkees TV show.

Joe, Bnois and Paul on the Video Ranch stage with its green screen.

Wow what a day. This afternoon we played in front of 7000 people at San Jose State and then we drove to Sand City near Monterey to play in front of 4 people in the studio. The show was broadcast worldwide on the net and on 5 stations owned by KPIG from Redding to San Luis Obisbo and all the way to Reno. This will take some explaining. Mike Nesmith has been a pioneer in music, movies and video since leaving the late 60's mega group and TV show "The Monkee's". Mike is working on a new technology he invented and is using it on his new site http://www.videoranch.com/. Video Ranch broadcasts concerts live from their studio. Patrons can log on and see the concert in Mike's new 3D type image and hear it in higher than CD quality. Here's where it gets interesting. When you log on you can choose an animated body for yourself and place yourself in the audience. What you see on your monitor is the live musicians and yourself and other concert goers along with a "Virtual Venue". You can manipulate your animated body around the venue and what you see changes as you move around. You can also make your body dance and carry on. In front of the stage where we played is a drop down projection screen where we could see the "audience" moving and dancing around. While you watch there is a live chat taking place which we can see on the bottom of the screen. It takes a few minutes to adjust to playing to this audience on the screen. Mike was behind the camera egging us on the whole time.We took 2 breaks for the radio to ID themselves and run some commercials. While we did the host asked us questions typed in from the audience. Interactive indeed. There where SJK fans from, among other places, Czech Republic, UK, Asia and all over the USA. My sister Janet was logged on and I could see her dancing around right up front, just like she does at Los Lobos shows. At the end of our show many in the audience turned into Pink Flamigo's which we were told is the Video Ranch equivalent of a standing ovation.

This was a very cool experience to be involved in. In the future (now) you will be able to see your favorite bands, live, without leaving your home. If you have a big TV and a great sound system hooked to your TV you will have something very special. This will never take the place of a real "Live" show but if SJK is not playing in The Czech Republic this week it is a great next best for fans living there. They also have a local band and run old classic movies. Check them out with their free trial period. See the wide range of artists they will be performing there soon.

The view of the stage from the control panel.

After the show we had a chance to chat with Mike. This guy has a million cool story's. He was there and lived the dream playing sold out stadiums and hanging with the stars. Mike, his wife Veronica and their staff treated us very nicely including stuffing us full of great food and insisting we take some cookies along with us. Very nice people.

Check out their site and tell them Dave K from SJK Band sent ya!
www.videoranch.com

THe Crossroads Club, Fresno CA

The Dave K fans came out.......
Not easy to get into my office sometimes.

This gig was put on by the Central Valley Blues Society I believe. If not they were there in force. I spoke with Steve who I had met on the Blues Cruse in October 06. This was a fun gig but the sound was a little hard for us to hear. We made the best of it and had fun. The place was packed, peole danced all night and we had some pretty good Pizza.

Anthology, San Diego CA

My ever supportive sister Janet and Chads childhood friend, Frankie.
My local band, Road Dog's was the opening act. Terry P on the left and Rick S on the right. Below is Road Dog's bass player Fred L(steady Freddy) after the show.See that smile... Love it. I miss my Dogs when i am out with SJK.

Fred L and Bnois King
My daughter Dalen and her friend Angel. Dalen is so excited every time she sees us play. I love that about her.

I have been looking forward to playing in San Diego since the gig was booked. I had about 50 of my friends and family in this very classy club. I ton of my AA buddies showed and stayed all night. Thanks so much to all of them. Dianna and Bill W brought a big crowd also. I can not thank everyone but you know who you are. The Road Dogs women where there, Kelly, Nadja, and Elaine. The Blues Lovers United San Diego (BLUSD) was a big help promoting the show and have allways been supportive. Steve Burns wrote an article about me for their newsletter and mentioned the show. Joan Hunt was there taking pictures as always. See her Flicker acount at http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingrhino/sets/72157604913368949/.....The Road Dogs portion of the show went excellent. The crowd was very warm and made of feel at home. We did have a chance to run through our set right after sound check. It was sort of weird playing in front of Joe and Bnois i must say. Then the Smokin Joe Traveling Blues Extravaganza featuring Bnois King. It was a blast to share the music i have been making around the world with MY peeps. It was over all too soon. Thanks again to all the people that have facilitated my doing this part of my life. Again it was great to sleep in my own bed and wake up next to my wife. I got up early and went to my regular Sunday morning AA meeting. I was really tired but it was awesome to connect with my home group. After the meeting i went to visit my mom and dad with Ruby, Alan and Kim. Ruby and i went to Outback for dinner and we all went in the Jacuzzi later in the evening. I got up, packed and left with the band the next morning... I missed being at home. 2 days at home was not enough. 10,000 miles in 4 weeks is a bit much, even for me.

Bolder Station Casino, Las Vegas NV

Marquee inside the Bolder Station Casino In Las Vegas.
Me on stage signing an autograph on Blood Brothers after the show.

Our head of security, Scottie. He co-wrote 2 of the songs on Blood Brothers
My set list, pocket watch and my picture of Ruby. Her picture gets displayed on every gig.

Well we drove from Dallas to Las Vegas in 2 long days. We had a water pump go out on the morning of day 2. We limped to Bills Radiator in Gallup NM. Nice guys and they managed to get us back on the road by 6:30 PM. I drove us to Las Vegas over the Hoover Dam and arrived at 2:00AM. I slept good. The next day we loaded in to the Casino and had a great dinner in the Buffet. Joe's friend Scottie and his mom Terry met us at the club (they live there) and helped us out a bunch. I have never played in Las Vegas and it was exciting for me. The stage was big and well equipped with great sound guys to help. The room was large and filled up fast. Bolder Station has a national blues act every Thursday night for free. I had a great time and met some cool people. I feel funny sometimes when i meet people that have been following the band for years and tell me about the other drummers. I feel lie a newcomer (i am). We went to Burger King inside the casino after the show and had lots of laughs. I did loose $15 in the casino... Surprise, huh? The next morning i enjoyed the comped buffet again and we hit the road for LA.

Cedarberg Cultural Center, WI

Me and Cassie
The Cultural Center

This gig was an unexpected pleasure. Cedarberg is sort of a rural area and when i saw the name of the venue i wondered what culture we would bring. That's what i get for being judgemental. When i walked in it seemed more like a museum with a stage There was a bunch of cool art displayed that was done by local kids. We set up and the place started filling and filling. By the time we started it was full. The people dug us right off the bat. That energizes us and we pick it up a few more notches. What a great gig to take on down the road with us. It was the topic of discussion in the van as we started our 2 day drive back to Dallas. Thanks Cedarberg for helping to make the drive better. At the show was Cassie and her family. I first met her in Minnesota and have seen them at several shows up in that neck of the woods. I believe Cassie is 13 and a big SJK fan. I think she has grown a foot since the last time i saw her. Also at the show was Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer and his wife. It was cool to meet her and see Bruce again.

Tallahasee and Jacksonville Beach

Dirlie from Jacksonville. Our friend from the Blues Cruise. Her and Ray took me out for coffee.
Jacksonville Beach festival site

Zoot Suit digs Blood Brothers... a bunch.
Doing our thing in Jacksonville Beach Festival

After Boca Raton on Friday night we drove up to Tallahassee and did our gig at the Bradfordville Blues Club. Gary and Kim, the owners are the sweetest people and made us feel right at home. Our show went well. One of the songs on Blood Brothers, Out On A Limb, got modified during sound check last time we were there. It got recorded that way (trivia). It was fun to me back there. (No photos..sorry)

The next day we drove to Jacksonville beach for the "Springing In The Blues Festival". We went to the hotel and got cleaned up. Dirlie and Ray picked me up and we went to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. It was nice to catch up and get to know them better. We met them on the January 08 Legendary Rythm and Blues Cruise. Dirlie was at every show I did, in the front row with that great, infectious smile. Thanks Dirlie.

We rolled to the gig and found our way to the stage. Bruce Iglauer was there as the 3 day festival was a tribute to him and most of the acts where on his label, Alligator Records. He told us they gave him the key to the city. The stage was a huge permanent concrete structure adjacent to the beach. It had been raining on and off during the 3 days of the fest. We were scheduled to go on last on the last day. We drove thru poring rain on the way from Tallahassee so we were concerned the fans would hang in the rain. They did and the rain held off till we were on our last song. I know i say this a bunch but we kicked some serious ass. The crowd ate it up. We did most of the songs off the new album. It was a little intimidating for me to play with the owner of the label and co producer sitting front row center. I did not let it rattle me and i did fine. The drum kit they provided was fine and i used my cymbals and snare. WE hung around for a while after so Joe and Bnois could sign some CD's and then we chatted with Bruce for a while.All in all a great day...and in bed early for a change.

The next day we drove to Gastonia NC to lounge around for a few days. I caught up on some sleep, did my laundry and made it to 2 AA meetings. Our gig tomorrow is a few hours away at Hillsbourogh NC at the Blue Bayou Club.

Gonna be a busy 5 weeks... just like i like it.

Dave K

Tommy Castro Show, Solana Beach CA

Me playing with Tommy Castro in my back yard in October 06. Backstage with Tommy and the new SJK "Blood Brothers" album.

I have been enjoying a few weeks off here in San Diego. Our new album debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts. I could not be more excited. I heard myself of the radio for the firs time on Friday. That has been a lifelong dream as a musician. I guess i have arrived in that regard. Ruby and i had the chance to go see one of our favorite acts and friend Tommy Castro at the belly Up Tavern on Friday. We had bought tickets long in advance and brought a Butch of friends with us. I love sharing live music with friends especially people that don't go out much.

I know it is good for you. I love when people tell me they forgot how much fun it was. Tommy was nice enough to save us some seats just on the side edge of the stage(my favorite spot). We had dinner with Dyana and Bill W in the attached restaurant and in we went. Our daughter Dalen came with. I love that she loves this music. My sister Janet came as did Megan and Art.

Bill Magee was the opening and they tore it up. Shout out to Mike the guitarist. He was holding it down all night. Tommy came out to do his thing and got right to it. He has the cold that is going around the planet but managed to sing and play his heart out. The band was tight as hell as usual. The new bass player Scott is fully integrated now and it is great to see his energy. Chris the drummer is a constant source of motivation to me. He is the nicest guy too. We got to hang a little in St Criox recently and he helped me come to grips with some of the challanges of life on the road. He has been a road dogs for most of his life.