He’s a musical promoter and a blues musician at heart. But it’s his love for the entertainment industry, coupled with a desire to share it with the rest of the island, that sets Kevin “Swampdaddy” Rogers apart. And who has
He’s a musical promoter and a blues musician at heart. But it’s his love for the entertainment industry, coupled with a desire to share it with the rest of the island, that sets Kevin “Swampdaddy” Rogers apart.
And who has that list of entertainers included? Taj Mahal and British blues legend John Mayall, to name a few.
Swampdaddy, (who insists on his alias as being billed in a one-word format) founder of the “Mardi Gras Soul Review” radio show, is a character who sets himself apart from the rest, to be sure.
Described by others as having a New Orleans sort of persona, his love for the blues makes sense, as he hails from Chicago.
Rogers said he was inspired by music as a youth at first because of his brother, who “played a lot of 45s.” Following that, it was an expansion based on musical aptitude.
“I picked up on the harmonica when I was about 14 and by the time I got through high school I was pretty good at it,” Rogers said. “Then I went off to college and found bands and musicians.”
His taste in instruments grew from there, and Rogers began dabbling in percussions, playing conga and drums. “I traded a keyboard I had in 1980 for a set of congas, and later started playing with my first band, Dealin,’” he said.
That band, which began in 1982, is still around (though since it’s Chicago-based Rogers is no longer a current member).
“We started that band in ‘82,” Rogers said. “It is still in existence now but without me since ‘98. We specialized in rockin’ rhythm and blues.” Made up of six to nine members, the band had a niche talent.
So it makes sense that Rogers would take what he knew about the blues and try and make sure it was alive and well on Kaua‘i.
“I moved over here (in ‘98) and found a niche as a musician because there wasn’t a lot of what I do going on over here,” he said. “I became a concert promoter and musician.”
In 2001 Rogers began Mardi Gras Entertainment, which has since put on roughly a half-dozen shows per year on Kaua‘i. On the docket for this year? John Mayall and Shemekia Copeland, (daughter of Texas blues guitar great Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, slated for Nov. 21 at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center in Puhi.
Dubbed the “Godfather of British blues,” Mayall is probably best known for inspiring guitar legend Eric Clapton in the world of blues.
Mayall will be performing with Texas guitarist Rocky Athas, bassist Greg Rzab, drummer Jay Davenport and keyboardist Tom Canning.
“He was one of the first bluesmen,” Rogers said. “He’s a little bit older. …He was creating blues bands in the ‘50s and ‘60s and always had a knack for getting good guitar players, like Eric Clapton, Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac) and Mick Taylor (formerly of the Rolling Stones). He’s an important figure historically. …the ‘Muddy Waters’ of British blues.”
As for Copeland, Rogers calls the show a “double bill.”
“She’s a very popular blues diva who has been traveling around the country for years,” he said, “a star in her own right.”
Those planning to attend the concert are in for a treat: rhythm and blues with a little bit of soul.
“Rhythm and blues is about having a good time and forgetting your troubles for a minute or two,” Rogers said.
“And remembering that others have the same kind of troubles you got.”
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Kaua‘i Community CollegePerforming Arts Center; $40 in advance, $45 at the door
For tickets go to www.lazarbear.com or call 337-9234
