Kenny Hays

Singer/Songwriter. Kenny (KHaze) Hays has been playing music in and around Memphis for the last 25 years or so. A brakeman on the railroad for almost 36 years he has learned to get his music time in around the crazy 24/7 world of the RR. Kenny started out playing open mics at the old Daily Planet. There he met musicians such as Kenny Busick, Parker Anderson, Phillip Jaynes, Matt Isbell, Alan Collier and so many more that helped encourage and influence his music. After many nights in front of the mic, playing out has become an important part of his life. Luckily, his wife Ann has always been a part of the scene and that may account for their 35+ years of marriage. Kenny was included in a group of singer/songwriters that Wayne LeeLoy (Native Son) had as part of a run of shows know as "The Memphis Troubadours" that played downtown for several years. Wayne had the forsight to record many of these live shows and put together a compilation CD "Three Chords And The Truth" including such people as Justice Natchez, Tate Moore (Kudzu Kings), Patrick Dodd, Cory Branan, Kim Richardson, William Lee Ellis, Scott Sudbury, Ross Rice and many others. Kenny was blessed to get to play with many of these guys and it was a great learning experence. His song "Promise Land" can be heard there. Kenny has opened for several people along the way such as Richerd Gillewitz and Sid Selvidge at Otherlands for MAMA. For the past 5 or 6 years Kenny has been a regular at Nancy Apple's Pickin Party down at one of Memphis' best joints Kudzu's (603 Monroe). This is a great group of songwriters who get in the circle and jam on Thursday nights. From Nancy's radio show "Car Tunes" on WEVL you never know when one of her friends such as Rob McNurlin, Jeff Walburn or Mike Younger may be passing through town and decide to sit in. Kenny has played many of Nancy's songwriter showcases giving him the opportunity to jam with some of these "real deal" folks. As any of my friends will tell you a show not to miss is Susie and Bob Salley, they can be seen at numerous spots all over town. They are true pros and always invite friends to play between sets, this means a lot to musicians when they come out. Kenny has also been fortunate to become friends with John Kilzer, who he feels has influenced the direction of his music recently. John plays on Tuesday nights at Memphis Original's (MO'S) in the U of M area where you might also catch Maria Spence and percussionist Alen Rankin. In the late 90's, through a good friend Andy Grooms, Kenny got a cut of one of his songs "Shovel Goes Down" on the Pawtuckets CD "Rest Of Our Days". He will always be greatful to Andy, Mark Mc., Mark S. and Kevin C. for including this song on their fine CD. To hear KHaze and these other musicians check out the Memphis Flyer and Playbook or come on down to Kuduz's and support live Memphis music.