Kerry Kearney NY Blues Hall of Fame induction

Photo: Robin Murray
In February 2013, Kerry Kearney was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.

Kerry Kearney Long Island Sound Award
Kerry Kearney received the prestigious Long Island Sound Award from the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in October 2008.

Kerry Kearney with Marty Balin on New York at Night 1992
Kerry Kearney performing with Marty Balin on New York at Night, 1992. Watch Video
 
Kerry Kearney performing with Marty Balin on CNBC
Kerry Kearney performing with Marty Balin on CNBC, 1992. Watch Video

Jynx Lynx Kerry Kearney
Sam Andrew, Jynx Lynx and Kerry Kearney backstage at Manny's Car Wash, Manhattan.

"Kerry Kearney is one of those helpers, much like Ben Nieves in the current  Big Brother band. Kerry will do anything to make it work, and he is simply one of the best guitar players ever. He spent some time in Marty  Balin's Starship. He lives in Far Rockaway which is a sandspit out on Long  Island. He is one of the best photographers ever, and he is a good man." 
-Sam Andrew 
Big Brother and The Holding Company

(in memory of our dear friend Sam Andrew who will always remain in our hearts).



Leslie West, (Mountain), to Warren Haynes (Govt. Mule, Allmans)
While hanging backstage at Brookhaven Amphitheatre, and hearing their opening act shredding...
“Who the f*#k is that?!" 
(They run out front to see)
Warren Haynes, 
"It figures, it's Kerry!" 

Kerry Kearney at BB King
 

Long Island Music Hall of Fame

Blues Hall of Fame



 


Kerry Kearney (pronounced "Car-Nee"), a slide guitar master, plays and works his instrument to limits that amaze even the most seasoned musician or cultured music fan. The sounds Kerry creates from his vintage, stock and custom made guitars are as unique as his song writing and original melodies. Kerry was voted "Best Guitarist of 1999" by the LI Voice and “Bluesman of the Year 2004” by the LI Blues Society. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Long Island Sound Award (L.I.S.A.) from the LI Music Hall of Fame and most recently, in 2013, he and his band mates were each inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. He has toured nationally and internationally with the Allman Brothers Band and Dickey Betts, and has performed with such contemporaries as Sonny Landreth and Robert Randolf. Kerry and his band have shared the stage with the great BB King at the NYCB Westbury Theater and at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, NY, as well as Robert Cray with the Blind Boys of Alabama and The Blues Brothers starring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi.

Kerry Kearney’s style, music from the “Psychedelta”, is his own brand containing an upbeat mix of American Blues & Roots, created from writing and performing on the circuit for over 40 years. Along with his band, he has continued to experience an overwhelming and positive response over the airwaves and especially when performing live. His wailing upbeat style of blues, driven by tasty, inspired guitar riffs, electrifying slide and infectious rhythms, has allowed Kerry to amass a huge loyal following.
The Kerry Kearney Band recently celebrated 20 years to a sold-out show at the Boulton Center in Bay Shore, NY.

The Kerry Kearney Band lineup:
Kerry Kearney (guitars, vocals)
Mario Staiano (drums)
Gerry Sorrentino (bass)

Featured Guest Members:
David Bennett Cohen (keyboards)
Nydia Liberty Mata (percussion)


Kerry Kearney Band


KERRY KEARNEY BAND BIOS:

Kerry Kearney ~ Guitars, Vocals
Kerry Kearney
Photo: R. Balter Photography

Kerry Kearney developed an interest in guitars at the age of 4. While not being permitted to play his older brother's guitar, little Kerry had to wait six years to finally get his own. His parents bought his first electric guitar at age 10. Kerry, a natural, listened to his brother's Ventures records and taught himself how to play. At age 12, Kerry discovered the music of B.B. King and he joined his first band, playing Southern Rock and Blues. At 19, a good friend of Kerry's suggested he should try playing slide guitar. With a few tips from his brother, Kerry picked up a slide and learned how to play in one day.

In 1988, Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane/Starship heard Kerry play and asked if he'd be interested in joining his band for a 3 month tour. Kerry accepted and 3 months turned into 5 great years. It was then time for Kerry to branch out on his own.

Strongly influenced by Lightning Hopkins, Mississippi John Hurt and Eric Clapton, Kerry found his calling in the Blues scene. He gathered a unique and talented group of musicians to form the Kerry Kearney Band. In February, 2013, Kerry Kearney was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.


Mario Staiano~Drums
Mario Staiano
Photo: R. Balter Photography
Mario Staiano began his musical career at 8 years old where he performed and sang with Star Time, a children's group which recorded on Capitol Records with Eydie Gourmet. At age 11 he took to the drum kit and never looked back. At 18 he was on the road with a group called Ecstasy for an east coast tour.

Following that, he began touring and recording with the famous Sam Taylor, with whom he recorded 7 domestic and international CD's and also toured many countries in Europe. During that time Mario played on and produced a CD, "From the Heart" for Maxine Brown and also recorded with Gary U.S. Bonds. From there he joined the Savoy Brown band, where he was a touring member for 5 years. In September, 2013, Mario Staiano was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.

 

Gerry Sorrentino ~ Bass

Gerry Sorrentino has been a long standing member of Savoy Brown and other musical projects.These include the British Blues All-Stars, Sam Taylor, Phoebe Legere, Long John Baldry, Rod Price, Bob Hall, Roy Young, Robert Charels, Duke Robillard, Maxine Brown, Blue Manchu, a concoction of members of Shania Twain, Mick Ronson and Savoy Brown, as well as others. In September, 2013, Gerry Sorrentino was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.


David Bennett Cohen ~ Keyboard
David Bennett Cohen
Photo: R. Balter Photography
A professional musician for more than 50 years, David Bennett Cohen is best known for his innovative keyboard playing as an original, founding member of the '60's Rock band, Country Joe and the Fish. He is an equally accomplished guitar player who has been involved in numerous music scenes throughout his varied career.

Over the years, he has played and/or recorded with The Blues Project, Mick Taylor, Hubert Sumlin, Melvin Van Peebles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Buddy Miles, John Cippolina, Huey Lewis, Michael Bloomfield and numerous others. In September, 2013, David Bennett Cohen was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.

 

Nydia Liberty Mata ~ Percussion

Nydia Liberty Mata

Rooted in the rhythms of her native Cuba. Nydia “Liberty” Mata is a dynamic percussionist and electrifying performer. Composer, arranger, and co-founder of the Latin Caribbean duo Harpbeat, Nydia is best known for her recording credits with Laura Nyro, Isis, and Latin Fever. She has performed with such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Patti Labelle, Art Blakey, and Pete Seeger as well as playing for former President Bill Clinton at the Labor Research Association’s 24th Annual Labor Awards Dinner in NYC. She has appeared at Concert Halls and Universities throughout Canada, South America, and the USA including; Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Nassau Coliseum, the Beacon Theater, the Bottom Line, and the Palace of Fine Arts at the San Francisco World Drum Festival.

 

Kerry Kearney Band on iTunes
Kerry Kearney Band Facebook Page
Kerry Kearny RPK
Kerry Kearney YouTube

 

 

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