The Grand Rapids band, which plays Wealthy Theatre on Wednesday, powered up its dance-happy music for Local Spins on WYCE, which also premiered new tracks by Lady Ace Boogie, Lazy Genius and more.
Good Time Funk, Soul and Rock: KJ & the Good Time Family Band.
As a musician, Kurt “KJ” Johnson II considers himself “a late bloomer” who picked up guitar at age 18 but who also “always envisioned” creating a soulful funk and rock band.
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In Studio X: KJ & the Good Time Family Band performing during Local Spins on WYCE. (Photo/Local Spins)
He got his wish with formation of KJ & the Good Time Family Band in 2015, a five-piece Grand Rapids group which carves out a unique slice of upbeat material that’s inspired as much by Parliament Funkadelic and Sly & The Family Stone as it is by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Steely Dan.
“We appeal to a lot of different audiences,” Johnson suggests. “We blend genres that are very familiar to a lot of people but haven’t been heard in the West Michigan music scene in a while.”
The band’s twist on funk, he says, adds “a little bit of rock and a little bit of soul” to create a groove “that makes people want to move.”
The group proved that this week as guests for Local Spins on WYCE, performing the songs “Keep On (Keepin’ On)” and “We All” in Studio X. Watch the video for “Keep On (Keepin’ On)” here and listen to the podcast below.
VIDEO: KJ & the Good Time Family Band, Local Spins on WYCE
For its debut album, “Kinfolk Kousins,” released in March, the band – Johnson, bassist Scott Dickson, saxophonist Elliott Truss, drummer Jason Peterman and backing singer Zach Scherphorn – interpreted and enhanced songs that Johnson had written over the years, but already is working on new material for a follow-up recording that more fully involves the entire band in the songwriting process.
But the real magic of KJ & the Good Time Family Band unfolds during live performances, group members insist.
Playing Wealthy Theatre on Wednesday: The band on air at WYCE. (Photo/Local Spins)
“I feel like playing in front of a live audience is our moneymaker,” Johnson says. “We are always high-energy. We’re jumping around and running around.”
Adds Scherphorn: “It’s our biggest asset, being on stage and people feeling the energy.”
Not surprisingly, then, the band is “super excited” to play Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre on Wednesday night, as part of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby of Grand Rapids’ “Our Children’s Future” event.
The evening will feature a panel discussion on local sustainability moderated by former Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, live music from KJ and the Good Time Family Band and Vishaps, poetry by David Cope and academic exhibitions. Things get started at 5:30 p.m.; get details online here.
The 185th edition of Local Spins on WYCE also featured the on-air debut of several new tracks by local and regional acts, including Lazy Genius, Lady Ace Boogie, Silverstiles, Gordy Garris, Angela Josephine, Shawn Butzin and ESME, plus a classic track from Afro Zuma. Listen to the entire radio show here.
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (4/6/18)
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