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Distant Kin band to perform at benefit dance
By Nancy Malcom
Nevada Daily Mail
Two Nevada brothers, John and Jim Manes have been playing instruments since they were in middle school. Their parents, Jim and Dorothy Manes of Clinton, have had a band, Country Wranglers, as long as the boys remember.
"I learned how to play the guitar to be in their band," John said, "and Jim was playing drums in their band in middle school." The brothers decided to form their own band in 2000.
"We were The Four Aces in 2000-'02," Jim explained. Other bands they've been a part of include Dottie and the Family Tradition, Midnight Playboys, Timberline, Leavell Brother's, Heartland, Bushwacker Band, Crossfire, Ambush and Neon Moon.
"When we decided to make our own band, Jim and I were both performing as drummers in different bands," John said. Forming their own band meant changing their instruments.
John now plays bass guitar, acoustic electrical guitar, drums, and is the lead vocalist. He lives in Nevada, is married and has four children.
Jim stuck with the drums. "I started playing drums at 10 years old, and was performing by age 12," Jim, the oldest brother, explained. Now he also plays guitar and does back-up vocals. He lives in Nevada, is married and has five children.
Jim and John both agree that their wives are a big part of their success. "They get tired of traveling and just stay home sometimes," Jim said.
"The kids love being on the corner of the stage and singing along," John added.
Steve Fyfe, is the band's lead guitarist and does back-up vocals. He has been in the band five years, lives in Lockwood, is married and has three children. He started his musical career playing with the Blackwood Brothers when he was 14 years old.
Jim Hoover, is the bass guitarist and also does back-up vocals. He lives in Cherokee, Kansas, and has been in the band six months. Before joining Distant Kin he played in the well known band, Predator, for eight years. He is the only band member who is single.
Ray Streeter plays keyboard, and does back-up vocals. The newest member, he's been in the band for only one month. He hails from Baxter Springs, Mo., is married with three children and one on the way. Streeter has played with the band Lonesome Cowboys for the last 12 years.
The group selected the name Distant Kin because they all feel like family, even though only the two brothers are actually related. Although the band has changed some of its players over the years that feeling of family closeness still exists and defines the band.
They play top 40 country music, some old country, old rock n' roll and some new rock. They perform regularly in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and last year in Nashville at the Country Music Award's Country Music Fest at the annual Fan Fair.
"We weren't actually on the main stage," John said, "but we were right outside the entrance. We had a lot of people ask for autographs," he added with a grin.
Jim added, "it was so neat being right there in County Music City. We got to do a radio interview on WSN. It was awesome to get the chance to go down there." The band has definite plans for the future, including making another CD. Jim said, "Once we get settled down with definite people, we will make a CD, maybe within the next year." Until then they are content working steadily with an ever-growing fan base. They have had a Web site for the last three years and have had more than 7,000 hits on it.
"Our goal is to be the best all-around band around," Jim said. Their shared attitude is if they make it big, that's great, if not, they're still making music.
Distant Kin will perform Saturday, March 12 for the Benefit Dance for cancer victim Tonia Martin, at the Nevada Elks Lodge in Nevada following the dinner and auction. The dance should start around 8 p.m. and continue until midnight. They are donating proceeds from the performance to the event.
John explained that although they do what they can, they can only do a limited number of free performances each year because the band members live so far apart and the cost of travel has to be considered.
"We are privileged to be a part of this benefit," Jim added.
John said, "We are distant kin to Tonia and have known her all our lives."
For more information about the benefit dance, contact Lucy Garrett at (417) 644-2153.
Distant Kin will be performing March 18-19 at Kuntry Sisters in Neosho, and March 25-26 at Bronc Busters in Diamond, Mo. Tour dates are listed on the band's Web site.
Contact the band at http://www.distantkin.com or call John Manes at (417) 667- 4160.