Double Duty: Kearns thrives in dual role as drummer, musical theater performer

Apr. 4—Owensboro resident Ed Kearns is normally seen with drumsticks in his hands.

Over the years, he has used that skill to carve out a niche in the percussion world.

But instead of remaining behind his drum kit, it's been more recently that he's found a love for musical theatre and taking center stage.

Born in Louisville to an American father and Japanese mother who met when his father was stationed in Japan during his time in the U.S. Air Force, Kearns moved around throughout his youth to states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Virginia before settling in Madisonville.

It was during his time in Bristol, Tennessee, that Kearns was first introduced to the drums — which would eventually become part of his livelihood.

"When I was in the fifth grade, that's when they started beginning band and my best friend wanted to do drums or percussion," Kearns, 49, said. "He urged me to do it with him; and I had no prior interest (and) never thought about it at all ...."

Once he began, Kearns said it helped him tap into his competitive side.

"I always wanted to be the best, so I practiced super hard," he said. "We had practice logs that our parents had to sign off on and I wanted to win first chair."

Kearns continued to progress in his drumming when he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he was recommended by his teacher to the youth orchestra at the University of Virginia before finding more encouragement from his band director Mike Clark at Madisonville North Hopkins High School.

After graduating high school in 1991, Kearns received a full music scholarship to attend Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he studied music education with percussion emphasis under professor David Steinquest.

Throughout his time at APSU, Kearns was section leader for three years in both the marching band drumline and concert wind ensemble, was chosen as the marimba soloist for the concerto festival and performed in the percussion ensemble and orchestra.

Additionally, Kearns played percussion for a number of musical productions and was a percussion instructor for several high schools in the Clarksville area.

"I've just always enjoyed the opportunities and the gigs that came from that," he said.

When Kearns moved to Owensboro in 1997, he continued to build his résumé teaching percussion throughout the region such as serving as an adjunct professor at Kentucky Wesleyan College and teaching private lessons, while playing drums for the Walnut Memorial Baptist Church praise band and the Second Street Big Band.

But in the past few years, Kearns has gone from supporting the people on the stage with musical backing to becoming one himself.