Kankakee Grille Bar

“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.

Each Monday will feature Live Trivia night at Kankakee Grille New Buffalo, where guests have a chance to win gift cards ranging from $20-$50 in Four Winds Gift cards.  Teams are currently limited to four persons.  Free admission to all guests.  Cheating is prohibited. This includes utilizing cell phones or smart phones to come up with team answers.  If a phone call or a text must be made, please respect the game and wait until all answers have been submitted. Teams will be disqualified if caught cheating.  Masks will be required when leaving tables to turn in answer sheets and single-use pencils will be issued.

1st Place - $50 Four Winds Gift Card

2nd Place - $30 Four Winds Gift Card

3rd Place - $20 Four Winds Gift Card

Total Request Night featuring Party Guys Dueling Pianos. It's a request only night - submit your favorite songs and hear them live at Kankakee Live.

Chris Behre was born in New Rochelle, N.Y. because of his father’s work was raised in Brussels Belgium until age 10, then moved to South Bend. He had begun playing guitar at age 8, writing songs by 11, inspired by the amazing music of the 60’s and 70’s, especially the singer/songwriters. He has played live from age 15, and educated at Berklee College Of Music While in school, sang an original song at the famous Berklee Performance Center.

The Matt Kotinek Trio is a top-tier power trio from Granger, IN. The trio plays a fusion of modern blues, r&b, rock, and jazz. The group features adept guitarist Matt Kotinek whose unique playing style is somewhere between Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Scofield. The rhythm section features the talented Johnny Slone on the Bass guitar and the steady Aaron Villanueva on the drums. The trio can be found turning heads and melting hearts at various venues across the Midwest. It's all about beautiful sounds, funky grooves, and howling solos. You won't want to miss this band!

BACKBEAT is a solo acoustic act featuring Chicagoland musician, Joshua Patrick, who blends an eclectic mix of his own personal musical influences that range from modern rock to rock and roll’s earliest days. His crowd-pleasing performances include popular singalongs from genres throughout multiple decades including pop, rock, grunge, Motown, country, and classics.

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!

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

Each Monday will feature Live Trivia night at Kankakee Grille New Buffalo, where guests have a chance to win gift cards ranging from $20-$50 in Four Winds Gift cards.  Teams are currently limited to four persons.  Free admission to all guests.  Cheating is prohibited. This includes utilizing cell phones or smart phones to come up with team answers.  If a phone call or a text must be made, please respect the game and wait until all answers have been submitted. Teams will be disqualified if caught cheating.  Masks will be required when leaving tables to turn in answer sheets and single-use pencils will be issued.

1st Place - $50 Four Winds Gift Card

2nd Place - $30 Four Winds Gift Card

3rd Place - $20 Four Winds Gift Card

Total Request Night featuring Sk8er Boyz. It's a request only night - submit your favorite songs and hear them live 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!

Brian Allison is a full time singer/songwriter from Chicago and is a culmination of vast musical influences to create an experience that is equal parts unique, fresh, and accessible to all listeners.

Linsay Kelly And Mike Cello have been playing together for several years. They both currently live in the South Bend area and play in several different bands like “The LowLifes” And “Get It Back”. 

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”.

This diverse artist brings rock, blues, country, and christian influences to the stage with him each time he performs, as well as an energy and lyrical style that engages his audience.

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