Roger Kenerly started out his musical journey as a teenager with the Young
Saints Academy of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California. There he
gained valuable on the job experience in Vocal training and performance
and the allied arts such as sound, lights and set design. The Young Saints,
while also being a working group afforded him the great fortune to perform
on the Jonathan Winters, Andy Griffith and Perry Como T.V. shows. As
well as the Ed Sullivan Show in New York and with Lena Horne in Los
Angeles. They traveled to Reno/Tahoe and worked with Eddie Albert and
in Las Vegas with Danny Kaye at the Las Vegas Hilton. In addition, they
were invited to the White House for a command performance for the
President and Mrs. Nixon and their guests, the Duke and Duchess of
Windsor.
He also had the great experience of recording with Ike and Tina Turner on
the Jimmy Cliff album. which piqued his desire to work in the recording
industry. As a background singer and Drummer/Percussionist, he has
recorded with The Jacksons, Van Morrison, Dr. John, Lou Reed,
Thelma Houston, Dolly Parton, Blondie, The Four Seasons, Diana
Ross, Switch, Jermaine Jackson, Jimmy Walker, Donald Byrd and
Country Joe McDonald. He also performed on the Movie sound tracks of
American Gigolo, For Ladies Only, Carnival and I Know Why The
Caged Bird Sings. He was signed to Warner Bros. Records as the leader
of rock group Duct Butter as well as the Chelsea Records duo Stuff n’
Ramjett. He also recorded an album for Arista Records called Saint and
Stephanie.
He landed in Las Vegas for good in 1981, playing drums for Phyllis Kelly on
Cleopatra’s Barge in Caesar’s Palace. When Phyllis made the decision to
go to a production show, the job was given to Roger. He led the band for 2
years from behind the drum set and then decided to front the band. He was
at Caesar’s Palace from 1982-1990. He has since held house band jobs at
Treasure Island, The Venetian, The Palazzo, The Paris and Bally’s.