As the band members like to remind you, Not in Kansas may not be your typical country band.
Members of the Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association and The New England Country Music Organization, Not in Kansas (NIK) play a variety of "American" music ranging from Modern Country to Southern Rock. The band likes to refer to its way of playing music as "country rock."
Based in MetroWest, Not in Kansas has opened up for Darryl Worley, Blake Shelton, Lee Brice and Collin Raye! Shanna Jean has been called “A force to be reckoned with, and the next professional country singer.”
Not in Kansas plays Friday, July 22, at JJ's Sports Bar. Starting at 9:30 p.m., there's no cover charge.
Northborough Patch: So why the name Not in Kansas? Is it a reference to the music you do, which could be considered Kansas-like?
Shanna Jean: Hmm, kind of a little bit of both. See, the name was thought of by our bass player Dave Allen when the founding members of the band were sitting in his basement trying to think of a name. I started discussing my feelings about how difficult it is to bring country to New England venues and to be recognized as a real country band when we are not from the south. We play great country and don't have to live down south in order to appreciate it and to do well playing it. Then dave chimmed in "yeah....I guess were Not in Kansas..." And I said, "That's it!" I wear red cowboy boots each gig to signify "Dorothy."
NP: Have any of you been to Kansas?
SJ: Ironically, no we haven't. Not that I know of anyhow.
NP: Quick - best southern rock guitar solo ever?
SJ: Honestly, my guys are amazing on the guitar. Especially playing "Simple Man" from Lynyrd Skynyrd. They rock that out. My guitarist Andy Lubeck says, "The Allman Brothers Band – Blue Sky.” Dave, my bass players says "The entire song 'Green Grass and High Tides Forever' is one massive awesome guitar solo."
NP: Two drummers you'd love to watch in a drum-off.
SJ: Well our bass player, Dave, is a drummer too. It would be cute to see him and our drummer Jeff battle it out. My drummer Jeff says, "Haas to be Marco Minnemann versus Mike Mangini" and Dave says "Chester Thompson and Neil Peart."
NP: Who's most likely to get asked out on a date by the end of one of your shows, and does it happen?
SJ: Oh it happens! It's always subtle and respectful though...but I am sure all of us get hit on or asked if we are single one way or another. It happens when you are in the spotlight sometimes...my boys are hot! I never hear about people curious if I am single but that's probably because my boyfriend always comes to my gigs. I have been asked on a few occassion that there are bets as to how old I am. They always lose. I have been asked if Dave, Craig, and Andy were single most recently.
