From the spoons to the drums
Before becoming a drummer he played the spoons. Funny to say, but true. Like so many other drummers, that’s how it all started for Wayne Keeler.
He was born in Kingston, Ontario but his father, who was originally from here, moved his family back here when Keeler was just a young boy. When he was about 10, his father bought the Beebe Hotel and hired the late Stan Mckelvey’s band to play.
“I don’t remember who played with him because I was too young. Mckelvey saw me hanging around with my spoons trying to keep the beat and told my father that he should buy me a set of drums,” he recalled.
His father followed the advice and bought him a drum set from the late Stan Mckelvey. His family is not musical although both his sisters play guitar, but are not interested in having a career.
Keeler, who is now excellent on the drums, slowly started rehearsing when he was 12. It all came as a surprise because he had no idea if he would really like it and if his aptitude to play would be sufficient to become a good drummer.
Keeler also plays guitar, but drumming is first for him. When he turned 19, he decided to go back to Kingston to find a job. He found much more than a job.
“One day I came across an ad in the paper. A band was looking for a drummer. They hired me for my attitude because I can’t say that I was a great drummer at that time,” he stressed.
The name of the band was Country Skyliners and Keeler said he gives a lot of credit to Robert Deley, who worked a lot with him and taught him a lot about playing in a band.
For five years he played country music with that band, honing his skills and becoming a great musician.
He then formed a band named Lyin’ Eyes (after the Eagles’ song) with cousins Dale Goodsell, Steve Clow, Steven Lloyd and played for three years. When the gigs started getting scarce, they simply called it quits.
“I decided to come back to Beebe and started playing with a band called Long Horn with Jim Belknap, Dave Bessant, Ronnie Haseltine and the late Al Bailey. Eventually the band split up,” he said.
“There was me, Ronnie and Dave left. We had a booking at The Maples Hotel in Stanstead, so I called Danny Goodsell, Sylvie Fortin, Mark Whipple. We kept working under the name Midnight Desert Band,” he remembered.
The band played for quite a while, and they opened for Tommy Hunter when he performed at The Sport’s Palace in Sherbrooke and later, they also opened for Ronnie Prophet at the same place.
According to Keeler, this was an exciting experience. Something in a career that you can never forget. After a while the band drifted apart and Keeler started working with the late Buck Sayers, his son Carroll Sayers, Wayne Doucet, and once in a while Dave Bessant would sit with them.
“Now I have been a while without playing except for special occasions such as that Saturday for Stan Mckelvey’s Celebration of Life (Bobbi called me and I said yes). I have three sets of drums and my sound system; I am ready to fire anytime if I get a call. I am so willing to play,” he clarified.
Keeler likes a lot of music and for a while now he has been listening to George Strait. He appreciates his music because he said it’s always pleasant to listen to, very melodic and mellow.
“I would say that Strait is my favorite artist for now. When I play, I love the music of 50s and 60s rock. I love to play for people and if they enjoy themselves, I play better,” he said.
Keeler is positive that the main qualities for a drummer are first the timing and then versatility. He said that the drum and the bass are the backbone of the whole thing.
He has four children and for now, two are following in his footsteps. The oldest one, Shayne, plays guitar and Ryan started playing a bit of drums.
You will be able to catch Dwayne Keeler next time at The Stanstead Legion on May 5, 2024, for Ross Roach Appreciation Day.
Coming up at A.N.A.F. Unit 318
(The Hut)
The Country Swingers will be performing at The Hut on Saturday, April 13, 2024. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $10.