CUMBERLAND — Before the band Kix makes an appearance at Rocky Gap Casino Resort, its lead singer will have to cancel some classes.
In between concert dates, Steve Whiteman — the band’s frontman — makes a living as a vocal and music teacher between Hagerstown and Baltimore.
“I teach students how to strengthen their voices and get better at what they do,” Whiteman told Allegany Magazine in an exclusive interview appearing in the May 2016 edition. “I teach kids ages 9 and 10 and on up to people in their 60s. It’s people in bands. It’s students who are doing stage work. It’s all levels and all ages and for all reasons.”
In the interview, Whiteman reflects with managing editor Shane Riggs on his upbringing in and out of Allegany County and how he still visits when he wants to feel “centered.”
“Piedmont, Westernport, Keyser and Lonaconing were great places to grow up,” Whiteman said. “I still have to go through the old towns from time to time. When I was a kid, man, I will tell you those areas were something right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.”
And of his early success in the world of rock ’n’ roll, Whiteman opens up to the magazine in the interview about perhaps having too much too soon.
“I was 22 years old,” the Piedmont High School graduate said. “I was in a whirlwind. When you’re in it, you don’t sit back and enjoy it. You don’t see it happening. You don’t have time. I was a little kid from a small town who thought he had hit the big time.”
On May 21, Kix returns to Rocky Gap to kick off the third anniversary of the casino’s existence. As with its October 2014 concert at the same venue, the performance will be held outdoors on the golf course.
“Kix is one of the most popular bands in the area, and I know our guests are excited that we have booked them for this event,” said Skylar Dice, general manager of Rocky Gap Casino Resort.
“We have had country acts here and other bands here but what we found out when we started listening is that people like their 80s rock and roll,” said Wanda Holtschneider, director of marketing at Rocky Gap. “And Kix has that following and that fan base that draws people from all over.”
“They got smart and asked us back,” Steve joked with Allegany Magazine. “People like to claim us as their hometown band. Cumberland claims us. Hagerstown claims us. Baltimore claims us. We have a great and loyal group of people who follow us. I also credit a new generation of fans on the parents who are teaching their kids about rock ’n’ roll. For a bunch of old guys up there, we’re still at it.”
Allegany Magazine is a sister publication to the Cumberland Times-News. It is available at more than 50 retail selling partner locations, including the offices of the Times-News.
It is published 12 months a year. The May issue features the cover story “16 Moms We Love.”