Kenny Cox – Musician for All Occasions

By George L. Tibbetts

Since we started The Valley Voice, I have always wanted to do a story about Kenny Cox. Fact is, however, stories about people like Kenny are the hardest to write for me because Kenny and I go back a long, long way. I think it was about 1976 when I first became acquainted with Kenny through his band at the time, “The Hole in the Wall Gang.” This very popular band of that era was comprised of Kenny (guitar/lead vocals), and local greats Ken Smith (piano/keyboards/vocals), Calvin Yeaton (drums), Dick Haines (Bass/vocals), and Rich Limouze (lead guitar/vocals). Kenny said the band played regularly throughout the 70’s and occasionally into the 80’s.

Kenny’s desire to pursue a musical career, however, started much earlier. As a young boy and throughout his formative years, Kenny had already begun to launch himself on the music scene by performing at benefits, school functions and talent events around his hometown of Monmouth. From those early beginnings, Kenny has always received great support from family, lifelong friends and an ever expanding fan base. All the people around Kenny have remained firmly grounded in their support of him throughout his long career. Hence, it was early on and by some combination of design and destiny that the name Kenny Cox has been permanently etched into the history books of Maine music.

Photo: Kenny doing a song with Frank Omar Ricardo who is an accomplished actor, singer and entertainer.

Personally, I came to know Kenny on a more personal basis in about 1978 when he was doing his solo act at an Augusta restaurant named The Happy Dolphin (later known as El Grande) which was located nearly across the street from the state house where I was employed during that time. Many of us yuppie types would gather there at the end of our workday to listen to Kenny. I usually sat next to the stage where I remained for much of his show. Then, as now, Kenny captivated my attention as he performed song after song from his lengthy music repertoire. Over time, we became good friends.

Kenny has always enjoyed his solo gigs but by the early 80’s he came to know Dave Gagne. Like Kenny, Dave was an accomplished guitarist and vocalist who had just recently moved to Hallowell from Florida. Dave was doing solo gigs around the area as well. Dave and Kenny became fast friends and the pair formed a duo act named Neat & Clean. Dave was neat and Kenny was clean!

Not long after the duo was formed, the pair was playing at all the local venues as well as gigs throughout Maine from Boothbay Harbor to places as far away as Fort Kent. For gigs closer to home Neat & Clean grew to three people with yours truly on drums. That band was called Neat & Clean with George. Soon after Hallowell’s iconic bass player, Dave Thibodeau came on the scene and Neat & Clean with George and Thib was born. This version of Neat & Clean played regularly at Slates and at private functions.

As the decade of the 80’s neared mid-term, Dave Gagne began taking classes at the University of Maine in the music department. During the same period he also became more involved in other musical projects. Hallowell’s cult band, The Fleshapoids, was formed and so was the band, Reggae Bob (Deis) & The Dani Tribesman. You know them today as simply Dani Tribesman. Bob now resides in the Florida Keys where he works as a media consultant and part-time as an internet blogger.

Eventually, Dave left Hallowell upon graduating and began a new career as Music Director for a private school in New Hampshire. During summer vacations, he would return home to do solo gigs and play with the Dani Tribesman; most notably Sunday boat cruises out of Boothbay Harbor.

Kenny, on the other hand, returned to what I call a Route 27 circuit musician. As you probably already know, Route 27 connects Boothbay to Sugarloaf Mountain with Hallowell resting somewhere near the midway point between the two destinations. Therefore, in winter Kenny plays at the Sugarloaf Inn and other venues near the resort. In summer, Kenny is found closer to the coast for many gigs. As for Hallowell, Kenny plays year round at venues like Joyce’s, Slates, and Hatties Chowder House to name a few. For many years I had the pleasure of playing with Kenny at The River Café every Wednesday. At gigs these days, Kenny is often accompanied by Richard Dow on lead guitar. He is also quite capable of putting together a full band when needed,drawing from a roster of his many musician friends.

Kenny truly is a musician for all occasions. Most assuredly, Kenny will be playing at a venue near you and you should plan to go to hear him. If you have heard him before you already know what to expect. If you haven’t heard him yet, you will be some glad that you did.

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