PAGE 2 • March 2020
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TABLE HOPPING
Sounds Of Syracuse
by CHUCK SCHIELE
The Steady Pulse In the Career of Jim Kelley You know Jim Kelley from Syracuse’s very own Horn Dogs. But, there is much more to one of Syracuse’s top staple drummers. Here is my conversation with him about his path in a healthy run as a musician. Chuck Schiele: Hi Jim. Thanks for doing this interview with Sound of Syracuse. I know you’re a busy dude. Jim Kelley: Hi Chuck, thank you for speaking with me! CS: How long have you been playing and how did you get started in becoming a musician? JK: I began in the mid 70’s while in elementary school, I was always enthralled by the older kids playing drums in school and in parades and soon joined in! CS: And, things took off from there … JK: I was fortunate enough to have grown up in Boston in a thriving music scene and then coming out to the Syracuse area in High School. From age 11-18 I took private lessons from several stellar drum teachers, played in every band available in school and with a variety of “garage bands” throughout Jr. high & high school, played with multiple regional bands in my stepfather’s and mother’s restaurants as a teen, did the All-County
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A rock-funk-R&B-blues-jazz etc hired gun, Jim started out in a number of new wave and metal bands, then more classic rock bands, and fast forward to today, he has gone back to his roots and is now with the Horn Dogs, a 9 piece horn driven R&B/motown/ funk/dance and classic rock band. thing, etc. I auditioned for and was accepted to several music schools – and went with my first choice, Berklee College of Music in Boston. The magic of Berklee is playing with people from all corners of the Earth and developing in the “after hours” – jamming with people every night for 6+ hours in all different styles! I played out with a few bands around Boston as well during that time. After a couple semesters decided to return to Syracuse. At the time, Metal and New Wave was happening and I played with a number of new wave and metal bands through the early 90’s, the best known was “Mistress.” When metal was slowly fading, I played in a couple of original projects that eventually gave way to playing more straight ahead classic rock stuff in a number of bands including Hard Drive and The Drop Outs. Fast forward a bit and I went back to some early roots and joined up with The Horn 2018 2019 2012 2013 Dogs, a 9 piece horn driven R&B/motown/ funk/dance and classic rock band. Eleven years later, I’m still with them and growing stronger! I took a bit of a break with the Dogs to start another music thing but came back to the Dogs in 2014. Since then we have played to audiences all over New York and took home a SAMMY award for People’s Choice in 2016. We are currently a finalist for the 2019 People’s Choice Sammy as we speak! For several years I have also subbed for a number of bands when their drummer wasn’t available or if they didn’t have a Beef on a Weck drummer! A rock-funk-R&B-blues-jazz etc VOTED BEST BURGER in NYS by: hired gun! Aside from subbing on drums and congas/percussion I have also played or recorded with a variety of people for certain gigs/projects. Lastly, with The Horn Dogs still going 238 Harrison St. • Syracuse, NY 13202 strong and a busy schedule for 2020, I even 315-426-9672 • www.ALENANGUSPUB.com
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