Enter the KMJ Band - a hometown rock 'n' roll group that has backed up notable performers such as Eddie Money, Steppenwolf, Survivor and Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

The four-member KMJ (an abbreviation that stands for band members' nicknames) Band originated in Bay City, Michigan in 1970 and still (as of 2007) features two original members.
Aside from playing next to big-name groups and artists, KMJ band members have taken their show to cities around Michigan and surrounding states. They have aspirations of playing in Europe in 2008.

"I love to go to other towns where they don't know us," said Steve McDonell, a Bay City native who is one of the original members and is responsible for bass and vocals. "That's the best part. Winning over the crowd with your music."

The band began in the basement of drummer and vocalist Mark Neering, the other original member, when McDonell was just 12 years old. The duo met in Boy Scouts.

''After we went to our first concert, I remember thinking to myself, 'This is what I want to do,''' said McDonell.

In those early days, the KMJ Band was better known for its visual displays than its music. Shows often featured special effects such as dry-ice smoke and firecrackers.

As of 2007, the other members of the band are C.B. Charlebois, guitar, keyboard, harmonica and vocals; and Johnny Hebert, lead guitar, rhythm guitar and vocals. Michael Mitchell is the band's manager. The current line-up of the KMJ Band has been together six years and, according to McDonell, doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

''I don't ever see myself stopping,'' McDonell said. ''I won't quit until I'm dead in the ground.''

Still, the band mates never took the idea of touring seriously. McDonell says the idea of going ''big time'' and producing original music became just too difficult to accomplish, given their location, families and jobs.

''I've always had the dream,'' said McDonell. ''But in reality, I want to be a musician, not a rock star. I'm happy with where we're at.''

The band's goal of producing pure, unadulterated music, however, hasn't wavered since the beginning, he said.

''I've never viewed it as a 'second job,''' he stated, saying that some of the other group members have occupations in roofing, the lumber business and medical care. ''It can occasionally be profitable, but it's never been about the money. If money was the motivation, I would have quit a long time ago.''

Despite being in the music business for more than a third of a century, McDonell says he stills gets butterflies before a big show.

''Heck yes I still get nervous,'' he said. ''I figured the feeling would go away, but it never has. After the first song I'm good to go. But until then, I'm going crazy inside.''

McDonell credits the band's success to their collective harmony.

''We all have the same idea and goal of playing great music,'' he said.

''It's still fun to put the guitar on and entertain people.''


*All quotes made in a news article/interview with the Bay City Times in June of 2007 in Bay City, Michigan. See article here:
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