Pat Kay

Pat Kay is a singer, songwriter, storyteller, multi-instrumentalist perpetuating Ozark music tradition. The performances are composed of songs spanning over 100 years of history, with a few from last week. Many are Kay's originals, and many more are from a bygone era. Much of the latter refrains and melodies that once filled the barns of our ancestors on Saturday and again in churches on Sunday are an endangered species. These tunes were kept alive in our homes for centuries through oral tradition. Before radio arrived, it was all we had, and each generation made their own contribution of new ideas, lyrics, and entire new songs to the collection. Celebrating what it was then isn't enough. Pat found his life's work picking up right where we left off and tending his own garden of these songs... humbled by the notion of being their caretaker long enough to see them passed on to our children's children.

Pat Kay plays clawhammer banjo & guitar with his hands, bass drum & tambourines with his feet, vocals & harmonica with his face, and enjoys sharing exceedingly tall tales in between. Apart from these one-man-band solo shows, he also performs with his two bands, the Kay Brothers and The Spooklights.

The Kay Brothers feature Pat performing the same material but in a trio format alongside his brother Bryan Kay (upright bass) and their mascot, Shakin' Jake (shakers, washboard, leg kicks). The Spooklights present an interesting and highly innovative vehicle for this old time music culture. A collaboration between Kay and fellow Ozark music torchbearer, Ben Miller, this duo weaves old time music DNA with electronic dance music instruments & elements.


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