Jill Westra
&
Them KC Boys
A Kansas City Conundrum.
Now hear this!
Who the what...?
Jill Westra & Them KC Boys are a Kansas City-based, woman-fronted, full band with their fingers in a number of musical pies. Their catalog of original tunes draws on Jill’s influences that include Texas singer-songwriters such as Robert Earl Keen, as well as 1960s Bakersfield and Memphis blues. In August 2019 the band (as a trio) released an EP entitled “so_low” that will take you on a grass rootsy, acoustic-yet-gutsy trek through four up-tempo foot-stompers, heavy on chutzpa. Playing live, you can expect extra electric guitar added to the bash, for even more oomph.
The panoply of musical styles that got all stirred together in this trippy troupe spans from bass player Leo Eilts’ smooth, western Kansas cowboy crooner alter-ego, to drummer Joe Guthrie’s rock n’ roll crash-bangs. Mr. Mark Franzke brings his flatpicking bluegrass chops & sweet harmonies because that's what was in the contract. The result? A lot of fun paired with cleverly-written songs that will keep you wide awake from a heavy dose of full-tilt vocals, great harmonies, and plenty of ruckus. And it all comes with a toe-tapping guarantee!
some moving pictures. . .
EVENTS A-COMIN'!
Thu, May 11Kansas CityMay 11, 2023, 7:00 PM CDTKansas City, 1520 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
Sun, Apr 23Walnut Creek WineryApr 23, 2023, 3:00 PM CDT – Apr 24, 2023, 5:00 PM CDTWalnut Creek Winery, 90 N Main St, Holt, MO 64048, USAApr 23, 2023, 3:00 PM CDT – Apr 24, 2023, 5:00 PM CDTWalnut Creek Winery, 90 N Main St, Holt, MO 64048, USAOne last stop on the Northern MO Tour-ette! They bring farm-to-table to your wine glass, and we'll bring the homegrown tunes to drink along to. This is our closest tour-ette stop to KC, so we hope to see some of our local friends put this one on your Sunday Drive itinerary!
Sat, Apr 22OK TavernApr 22, 2023, 4:00 PM CDTOK Tavern, 126 E Howell Ave, Marceline, MO 64658, USAApr 22, 2023, 4:00 PM CDTOK Tavern, 126 E Howell Ave, Marceline, MO 64658, USANext stop on the Northern MO tour-ette! We're heading on over to the place where legends are born: Our drummer Joe's beloved hometown of Marceline. Looking forward to playing this rustic dive just a block away from Main St., USA.
Fri, Apr 21UnionvilleApr 21, 2023, 7:00 PM CDTUnionville, 108 S 17th St, Unionville, MO 63565, USAApr 21, 2023, 7:00 PM CDTUnionville, 108 S 17th St, Unionville, MO 63565, USAThe Bixler 108 is a historic building on the Unionville Square operating as a unique listening room venue. We can't wait to liven things up there, as we roll through on our fantastic Tour-ette adventure through Northern MO!
Fri, Dec 09Kansas CityDec 09, 2022, 8:00 PM CSTKansas City, 1727 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
Fri, May 27LawrenceMay 27, 2022, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PMLawrence, 317 N 2nd St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
Fri, Apr 08Kansas CityApr 08, 2022, 8:00 PM CDTKansas City, 1515 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
Thu, Mar 24WestwoodMar 24, 2022, 7:00 PM CDTWestwood, 4707 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood, KS 66205, USAMar 24, 2022, 7:00 PM CDTWestwood, 4707 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood, KS 66205, USAJoin us for ULAH Live Sessions, a monthly intimate in store concert. March features a performance from Jill Westra and Them KC Boys. You don't want to miss this one! Brought to you by You Found Music. Drinks and bites included. Limited seating for 30, so grab your ticket today! Doors at 7:00.
Fri, Jan 14Kansas CityJan 14, 2022, 8:00 PM CSTKansas City, 1515 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
Mon, Dec 20Kansas CityDec 20, 2021, 6:00 PM CSTKansas City, 1520 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, USADec 20, 2021, 6:00 PM CSTKansas City, 1520 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, USAJoin us for the fifth annual (fourth in-person) Cover Me, Kansas City! In this celebration of Kansas City music, 11 different local artists will each cover songs by other local artists of their choice. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Midwest Music Foundation. Doors open at 6pm.
Sat, Jul 31Buck - U DistilleryJul 31, 2021, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PMBuck - U Distillery, 3970 Tennessee Rd, Ottawa, KS 66067, USAJul 31, 2021, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PMBuck - U Distillery, 3970 Tennessee Rd, Ottawa, KS 66067, USAOriginally a Stuckey's. Now a beautiful indoor/outdoor distillery featuring Bourbon Whiskey, Vodka, Rum, Brandy, Gin and 100% Natural Fruit and Spice Infusions. All natural fruits and grains locally sourced.
Fri, Jul 30Kansas CityJul 30, 2021, 7:00 PMKansas City, 506 N 4th St, Kansas City, KS 66101, USA
Thu, May 20Kansas CityMay 20, 2021, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PMKansas City, 3301 Baltimore Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
Fri, Oct 23Gaslight GardensOct 23, 2020, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PMGaslight Gardens, 317 N 2nd St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
Fri, Aug 28Bar KAug 28, 2020, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMBar K, 501 Berkley Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64120, USAAug 28, 2020, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMBar K, 501 Berkley Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64120, USABar K is a unique new destination featuring a modern bar, restaurant, live music venue and dog park located in downtown Kansas City on the shore of the Missouri River in Berkley Riverfront Park. And we're gonna rock it.
Fri, Jul 10506 N 4th StJul 10, 2020, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM506 N 4th St, 506 N 4th St, Kansas City, KS 66101, USA
Fri, May 22The Westport SaloonMay 22, 2020, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PMThe Westport Saloon, 4112 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
Thu, Apr 30The Buffalo RoomApr 30, 2020, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMThe Buffalo Room, 817 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
meet the band!
Lead vocalist, guitarist and Songwriter-in-Chief, Jill Westra (above, center) is a road-weary scientist by day and multi-instrumentalist moonlighter. She performs as a with the acoustic trio "Distant Cousins" as well as all by her lonesome, when everyone else has had enough of her.
Drummer Joe Guthrie (above, center) is a hard rock n' roller who keeps the band on the straight and narrow with his iron fist of authority and rock solid beats. We begrudgingly share him with the Wakarusa River Band when we have to.
Bass-snuggler and band Hat Director Leo Eilts (above, left) has played in all the Kansas City bands that ever existed, including Total Strangers, Spontaneous Combustion, and is currently the bad boy of KC's headed-for-legendary-status cowboy band, 3 Trails West.
New guy Mark Franzke (above, left) is our lead guitar string-strangler and boy, can he pick a Telecaster! Not only is Mark voted "Most Lovable" band member, but he's the only guy to go to if you need your guitar repaired, your mandolin built from scratch or your banjo (finally) tuned. He's a wizard of all the musics.
Who's in this
crazy omnium gatherum
anyway?
