A Life in Music
I’ve been a professional musician my entire life, and it’s been one long, winding, beautiful ride. Music has taken me across the country and around the world. It’s introduced me to lifelong friends, taught me how to listen deeply, and pushed me to grow, adapt, and keep evolving. Looking back, each band, each collaboration, and each stage I’ve played on has been a stepping stone on a journey that’s still going strong.
From the early days with Band Du Jour to my current projects with Steely Dead and the Very Jerry Band, my path has never followed one straight line. Instead, it’s been a constant mix of styles, sounds, and scenes—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
College and the Circle: Opening My Ears
In 1987, I moved to Colorado to attend Colorado College, where I studied political science by day and dove headfirst into music every other waking moment. I joined The Circle, a band that helped me find my stage voice, and also began studying world music—everything from Indian ragas to African rhythms and Native American chants.
That time was a turning point for me. Working with the dance department, composing music for modern choreography, and absorbing the global language of music opened my ears and broadened my perspective. I began to understand that music didn’t have to fit in a box—it could be fluid, spiritual, and collaborative.
Band Du Jour: Soul, Groove, and the Open Road
After college, I moved to Boulder and joined Band Du Jour, a high-energy Soul ’n’ Roll outfit that would come to define my early career. We toured hard between 1990 and 1995 and even landed a two-month Department of Defense tour across South Korea, Japan, and Okinawa.
Du Jour was all about energy, vibe, and connection. We played with some of the big names of the early jam scene—Blues Traveler, The Samples, Phish, Aquarium Rescue Unit—and we held our own. As a keyboard player and singer, I learned how to drive the band one minute and lay back the next. That balance has stayed with me ever since.
The Derek Trucks Years: A Master Class in Musicianship
In 1995, I got the call to join the Derek Trucks Band as lead singer and keyboardist. I packed up and moved to Atlanta, where I’d spend the next five years in a whole new musical environment. Derek was still young, but he was already tapped into a deep well of blues, jazz, and soul. Playing with him was like getting a master class in feel and nuance.
We toured constantly and shared the stage with legends—Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, Col. Bruce Hampton, Phil Lesh, and many others. It was humbling and inspiring to be part of that world. I soaked up everything I could and learned how to improvise with more purpose and intention. It was also during this time that I fell even deeper in love with the Hammond B3 organ and what it could do inside a song.
Leftover Salmon: Jamgrass and the Colorado Sound
By 2000, I felt the pull back to Colorado. That’s when I joined Leftover Salmon—a band that blended bluegrass, Cajun, rock, and jam into something completely its own. I spent ten years with them, recording, touring, and pushing musical boundaries.
Jamgrass was new to me, and adding keyboards to that acoustic-driven sound was a challenge. But it forced me to grow. I learned how to weave piano and organ around instruments like mandolin and banjo, adding color without overpowering the mix. Salmon also gave me space to contribute as a songwriter and arranger, and the fans were some of the most loyal and energetic people I’ve ever played for.
The McKay Brothers and Musical Roots
Throughout all of this, I kept a steady thread going with my brother John. As the McKay Brothers, we’ve recorded and toured with a mix of our own originals and deep cuts from folk, blues, and country traditions. There’s something grounding about playing music with your sibling—something that always brings you back to who you are.
The McKay Brothers project has been close to my heart because it keeps me connected to the roots, to storytelling, and to music that feels like home.
Coral Creek, Brother’s Keeper, and Beyond
After Salmon, I kept busy with solo piano gigs, freelance work, and new collaborations. I spent six years with Chris Thompson’s band Coral Creek, touring the U.S. and Virgin Islands, and recording albums like Coral Creek and Free Dog. I also formed the Bill McKay Band and played with groups like Brother’s Keeper and True Blue Band—projects that kept me learning and experimenting.
No matter the lineup, my goal has always been the same: to serve the song, follow the groove, and bring heart to every note.
Steely Dead, Very Jerry, and the Grateful Spirit
These days, I’m proud to play with Steely Dead—a project that merges the music of Steely Dan and the Grateful Dead—and the Very Jerry Band, which celebrates the legacy of the Jerry Garcia Band. Both bands are led by my friend Dave Hebert, and playing this music is both a joy and a challenge.
There’s so much depth and soul in these songs. They require respect, but they also invite exploration. It’s a sweet spot for me—honoring the spirit of the music while still making it my own.
Still Evolving, Still Grateful
Looking back, I’ve been lucky to play with some amazing people and be part of some truly unique bands. From Band Du Jour to the Derek Trucks Band, from Leftover Salmon to Steely Dead, each chapter has taught me something new.
My musical journey isn’t over. In fact, I feel like I’m still evolving. There’s always a new groove to find, a new song to write, a new band to push forward. Music has been my lifelong companion, and I’m still excited for where it’ll take me next.