Kankakee Grille Bar

t’s Total Request Live Night at Kankakee Live!

The request lines are back open and Sk8er Boyz has you covered. We’re bringing you a lively acoustic show full of your favorite pop-punk, rock, and alternative hits from the 90s & 2000s, plus YOUR REQUESTS! Challenge us to play your favorite songs from any genre. If we think we can sing it, play it, or just give you a taste of it, then you’ll hear it!  Who knows what the ten most requested songs will be, but you gotta show up to see.  Grab your friends and check it out!

We now bring you “Love & Rock- Unplugged”, first of its kind! Music stripped and unplugged from ICONIC females throughout time spanning from the 60’s thru today in genres of: Rock, POP, R&B, Country, Musicals, and Movie Soundtracks. “Love & Rock- Unplugged” takes you through a non-stop ride of the most popular and memorable songs throughout our time.

Darryl Buchanan toured the globe for over 20 years as a musician. While growing up in South Bend, IN, at age 17 he was discovered by the legendary Motown recording artist Jr. “Shotgun” Walker and started doing world tours in the early 1980’s. Throughout his musical career he toured with many legendary groups including, The Temptations, Grammy Award winner Richard Street, former legendary James Brown band director Trombonist Fred Wesley of the JB’s, and the Motown Revue. In 1993 while a member of the Jr. Walker's band, Darryl had the honor to perform at President Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Ball.

Darryl has also performed on numerous TV shows including NBC’s Saturday Night Live and has performed at the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY. Growing up in a family of talented singers and musicians, Darryl first started playing the bass and guitar at age 12. Years later Darryl also advanced his musical skills to the keyboards. Influenced by musician legends like George Benson, James Jamerson and Carlos Santana, Darryl’s explosive bass and guitar solos are always a crowd pleaser! His musical gifts and stage persona has earned him popularity with diverse crowds.

His smooth vocal style fits the legendary sounds of artist like Smokey Robinson and Al Green. Darryl Buchanan is currently producing R&B, Pop and Gospel music with various artist. On August 29, 2009 Darryl was awarded the certificate of recognition by then city of South Bend, IN, Mayor Stephen J Lueke, for his 30 years in music and his accomplishments. Darryl Buchanan also continues to perform with his talented music group "Darryl Buchanan's Soul Motown Allstars”.

The Juniors are an acoustic duo consisting of Chris Bolint and Billy Cox. Performing a wide array of your favorite covers from The Beatles, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Aersosmith, Blink 182, Florida Georgia Line, Billy Idol, The Cars, The Eagles, etc…

Makena Hartlin is a young singer songwriter who pairs a spell-binding voice with charming, jazz infused pop songs.

Checkmark Sallie an acoustics duo featuring Sallie Pierpont on vocals and Mark Tavallali on acoustic guitars and vocals. Sallie and Mark also are band members in the some of the area's top bands in the Michiana club scene for many years. Checkmark Sallie plays it all from Classic Rock, Soul, Blues, Country, Pop, Alternative, and everything in between. They put their own acoustic twist on songs to make them sound new and fresh and you'll fall in love with these songs all over again.

Mike DeHays is Imphormal, playing electric cello covers of pop and classic rock hits and more.

Incorporating a myriad of genres, including Americana/Blues & Bluegrass/Roots/Folk/Soul and even Reggae, Mike Struwin Band has forged a truly unique style all their own.

Mike Struwin, who began playing music at the age of 13, has long been a force in the regional music scenes of Southwest Michigan, for lyrics and music imbued with a sense of honesty, empathy and authenticity. The St. Joseph, Mich., native released his first CD at age 17 and hasn’t looked back since, putting out eight albums to date and performing for audiences (young and old) for over 20 years.

Teaming up with members from the Sypian Family Band; Matt Sypian (drums) and Mike Nelson (bass) and enlisting long-time friend Mike Kinney to play lead guitar, Struwin has finally found a group that truly reflects his vision, versatility and style. Connected by their common goal of delivering handcrafted quality music to anyone with open ears and an open mind, Mike Struwin Band slips and slides through various genres, presenting their own original music to crowds while also paying tribute to musical greats like Paul Simon, Bill Withers, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley and the Eagles. On the heels of a crazy year, The Mike Struwin Band is building their reputation as one of Midwest’s fresh and new “up-and-coming” live acts. Whether you like to dance or kick back and listen, Mike Struwin Band has a little something for everyone!

Dan Reisen is a local acoustic and vocal artist from Valparaiso, Indiana. Focusing on genres such as classic rock/easy listening, blues and indie folk, Reisen has advanced his music career over the past 10 years exponentially. Playing all over Northwest Indiana, parts of Michigan and reaching into Illinois, Dan Reisen has made his mark as a local musician and is passionate about performing.

Chris Burch is a rock n’ roll influenced artist who performs to audiences across the country. Using a guitar as the spill canvas for his raw vocal appeal and bravely fresh sound, Chris delivers his songs with a reckless intensity that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Drawing heavily from American and British rock n’ roll, his sets are like a music history lesson. You may hear Elvis Presley or Sam Cooke one minute, then Foo Fighters or Pink Floyd the next.

In this trio, Chris will be joined by veteran musician Paul Erdman on guitar, and a percussionist.

“Americana rock and roots” is the way Jimmy describes the music that he plays.
He started playing guitar at age 19 and immediately fell in love with the instrument. He began by teaching himself songs by the Beatles, Bob Dylan and acoustic music of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Over the next several years, he played in various types of bands including folk, bluegrass, country and rock and roll. As he began to listen to swing and jazz, he developed more interest in songwriting, especially the music from the American Songbook by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and the Gershwins.

In recent years, Jimmy has fallen back in love with the blues and plays songs by many of the great blues legends such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton. From simple folk, to Beatles-influenced rock, delta blues, Motown-flavored R&B, country or Swing Jazz, his music reflects elements from all these styles of music. Jimmy now lives in St. Joseph Michigan where he performs at various venues throughout Southwest Michigan and the Michiana area.

Sidestreets is a trio from the Chicagoland/NWI area playing all of your favorite covers from classic rock to today’s contemporary music.

AD3 Acoustic Trio is comprised of Adam Domain on vocals, featuring guest musicians on acoustic guitar and cajón, playing covers from varied genres.

Rock and pop covers of today and yesterday's Top 40.  

Mike DeHays is Imphormal, playing electric cello covers of pop and classic rock hits and more.

Total Request Live Night at Kankakee Live!

The request lines are back open and Sk8er Boyz has you covered. We’re bringing you a lively acoustic show full of your favorite pop-punk, rock, and alternative hits from the 90s & 2000s, plus YOUR REQUESTS! Challenge us to play your favorite songs from any genre. If we think we can sing it, play it, or just give you a taste of it, then you’ll hear it!  Who knows what the ten most requested songs will be, but you gotta show up to see.  Grab your friends and check it out!

Makena Hartlin is a young singer songwriter who pairs a spell-binding voice with charming, jazz infused pop songs.

80/90 is an acoustic male/female (Dan & Lisa Vukmirovich) duo bringing you the best of the 80s and 90s! We create original arrangements of many classic songs and love bringing a new spin to the typical "acoustic duo" set up with fun audience interaction, costumes and sing-a-longs!

The band, Gemini combine original music, interesting covers with an easy going attitude to create serious music that makes you smile and want more!