Keeping Rock n' Roll local

By David Flynn

A recognisable local man known for his two decades of singing the big rock ballads has moved back to basis as a one-man solo act after a long period of singing in different music groups.

Performing as ‘JK Music’, James Kearney is currently delights local audiences with his repertoire of song performances from Sinatra classics, to the old rock n roll sounds

James Kearney is an Athlone man through and through and alongside the music, he has been known for his long working period as a lifeguard and swim coach in Athlone Regional Sports Centre, which began for him in 2002, the year the centre opened.

Singing was something he inherited as his late grandfather, James ‘Ginger’ Kearney (who lived in Assumption Road, Athlone) was also well-regarded as a singer.

His uncle was the late PJ Kearney, lead singer of 1970s Athlone showband, ‘Tarzan and the Monkies’, who later sang with ‘The New Avengers’, and James’s cousin, Lee Kearney is also a singer on the music circuit.

James, or ‘JK Music’ was in a number of bands throughout the years, and is well-remembered for the two-piece music group, ‘Tad N’Klint’ with Athlone man, Anthony ‘Doyler’ Doyle.

“I was away a lot with the bands and I’ve a young family now, including my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Jade, and partner Chloe, and I don’t want to be away and miss out now,” said James to the Westmeath Independent this week. “Chloe has been wonderful to me and a huge encouragement over the years musically and professionally, and I really appreciate that support from her.”

He made up his mind in recent months to set up the ‘JK Music’ project which involved James singing locally and promoting his music through social media platforms.

“I was looking down the line at what I could do, and I love singing and did want to continue with that,” said James. “I like giving it everything in singing and love the big numbers. But I’m 41 now and don’t want to damage my voice by singing in groups, having late nights around the country. So I thought why couldn’t I do the solo thing, local, so I got some gear and tracks, and as long as I don’t push it too hard for too long, I’ll do some good shows.”

He loves the world of performance and it matters little to James whether he sings to large audiences or just a handful of folk.

“Give me an audience and I’ll sing, I love performing, I have played to ten people, and I have played to a barman,” said James laughing. “’JK Music’ is my own thing where I can sing what I want, but the crowd is always important, and what they want.”

In a recent gig in the Coosan Tavern, James belted out some Sinatra songs, including, ‘Summer Wind’ for his uncle, Noel Monaghan from Assumption Road.

“Most people love Sinatra, including songs like ‘New York, New York’ or ‘My Way’,” said James.

“They are incredible vocals to sing, and people find them very enjoyable to listen to, but by the same token what’s also enjoyable is for me to do a Marvin Gaye song or a Stevie Wonder, and another staple of my performances is ‘Unchained Melody.”

He sang the old Righteous Brothers song in the Tavern and audiences have requested it ever since. “I love the ambience of the Tavern and a great crowd goes in there and are always up for the craic, including the Assumption Road heads,” said James laughing.

He also points out that the Kearney family originated in the middle of the terrace, and many of his relatives still live there in different houses.

Another part of his ‘JK Music’ show is to entertain at Day 2 of weddings.

“They are very interesting, the next-day afternoon sessions of a wedding, which sees people sitting and chatting, but every now and then, they come in and chime to the music, and a great atmosphere continues,” said James. “The Day 2s can be fantastic and good craic, as well as a wind-down and that’s what I aim to create.”

James is also currently part of another duo, ‘Dust and Bone’ with another James, who is another talented musician. The duo play a broad range of acoustic covers from ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ from Chris Stapleton to the Irish classic song, ‘Grace’. ‘JK Music’ was the singing-act for a large crowd at the opening of the Marina Club in the Radisson Blu Hotel last July.

“I’m a one-man act, my show is just me, ‘JK Music’ and my backing tracks,” said James. “I used to do originals with Doyler when we put together ‘Tad n’ Klint’ some years ago, which became a popular segment of our gigs. But I don’t do any writing anymore, and I’m happy singing the big songs from the big artists.”

James looks after his main instrument, his voice, with the old-fashioned prevention cure of one spoon of raw honey every day.

“Raw honey, the local the better, is the way to do it,” said James. “After Covid hit, I didn’t sing for over a year, and the voice went a bit backwards. So I started singing stuff like ‘I Am The Highway’ by Audio Slave with a microphone in the house and I wasn’t able to sing really well. The muscle was weak but it improved, although I can feel it that way again if I don’t sing for a month.”

‘JK Music’ has a good range of singing, and can do the low stuff and also higher, with a Tina Turner number.

“I can hit a high falsetto sound, like the singer of the Darkness, so I don’t know what I would call myself, tenor, or whatever,” he laughs.

“I played around with my voice during Covid to see what I could do, and was surprised with the experimenting to see what can happen and what I could do.”

James or ‘JK Music’ hasn’t recorded for a while, although Doyler wants the former ‘Tad n’Klint’ duo to do something soon.

“That’ll be fun to work with him again, because he’s very talented, and a good dude,” said James.

James has recently started day-time work in the Marist College as a Special Needs Assistant and plans to return to swimming training.

“Hypoxic training is very good for vocals, and extends your longevity as a singer, with helping breath control,” he said.

“I’m still learning everything, and I hope with ‘JK Music’ to keep reaching the heights vocally.”