Guitarist and Columbus native Kevin Silva performs with his band The Toons.
Photo provided
Nearly half a century after Kevin Silva played his first paid musical set, the native Columbus singer, electric guitarist and keyboardist speaks with the exuberance of something of a rocking rookie.
And why not? His Indianapolis-based band The Toons is still so popular that at a recent date at George’s Neighborhood Grill in Indianapolis, a group of people attended who were at the ensemble’s first performance there 17 years and 200-some shows there ago.
“What we have right now is the best version of this band ever,” Silva said, speaking by phone from Indianapolis of this three-year assemblage of a group that originally formed in 2017. “It’s crazy.”
On vocals, along with all four of the other members, is his daughter Kayleigh Dinwiddie; Greg Bond is on drums; George Bower III on bass; Jeff Lewis on guitar; and Silva on guitar and keys.
Their popularity and prowess dictated that the group played back-to-back UnCommon Cause fundraisers here in 2018 and 2019 for the Columbus Area Arts Council.
The quintet returns at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for a concert at the 425-seat Brown County Playhouse, where it last performed in the fall. The flowing-haired, 63-year-old Silva, who recently was mistaken for a 30- or 40-something rocker at a recent bar gig, figures the group will bring its customary classic rock tunes: “Never Been Any Reason” by Head East; “Seven Bridges Road” by The Eagles; a song or two from Styx; and plenty more.
Moreover, because of 37-year-old Dinwiddie’s influence, the ensemble also expects to play songs from newer groups such as The Black Pumas; and from more veterans acts such as The Revivalists; Alannis Morissette; Cheryl Crowe and others.
“Our setlist has become really current and fresh,” Silva said. “What I’ve noticed from that is that our audience has shifted. Before, when we were Alan Kaye and The Toons, our audience might have been 45 to 75.
“Now, it’s 25 and 30 up to age 60. And, still when we add in the classic rock, they still immediately recognize songs like from Journey, Tom Petty and the Beatles and whoever. It’s really cool.”
Silva got his professional music start for $10 on Dec. 16, 1975, when he, then age 14, and two buddies played a private party in Columbus. Five years later, Silva and few friends were opening on tour for Black Oak Arkansas.
“We had goals,” Silva said.
Today, his main goal, pure and simple, is to bring people joy. The band’s joy stretches beyond the music to some members even vacationing together at times. Harmony is harmony.
“I always want the audience to walk away with a big smile,” he said.
And that target is hardly because he is separated from national talent these days. Esteemed guitarist and record producer Richard Bennett, a longtime band member for Neil Diamond and then Dire Straits, was so impressed by Silva’s recording work with alternately named band Rock Soup, that Bennett readily accepted playing on a song on Rock Soup’s forthcoming disc.
“It Is What It Is” represents Silva’s fifth band release. Yet, Silva mentioned that those tunes will be ready for public performances by these Toons at a date later than Saturday. Covers will fill the show this weekend. Guitarist Lewis is hoping for a healthy crowd.
“I would love,” Lewis posted on social media, “to see the place full of some patriotic Hoosiers who are still looking to celebrate the 4th on into the weekend.”
About the concert
Who: The Toons band with Columbus native Kevin Silva.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St. in Nashville.
Tickets: browncountyplayhouse.org.
