Due to the devastation in Western Carolina caused by Hurricane Helene, KANSAS guitarist Richard Williams is unable to travel to this weekend’s concerts in Topeka, KS and Park City, KS.

Richard wants to convey he is heartbroken that he cannot make the concerts in his hometown and home state.

However, the shows will go on! Guitarist Scott Bernard (Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald) will fill in for Richard this weekend.

The band KANSAS is excited to welcome Dan McGowan as bassist and vocalist

Dan succeeds longtime bassist and vocalist Billy Greer.

Dan has been serving as Billy’s substitute on stage for numerous shows during 2024.

Dan McGowan is the singer and guitarist for the progressive rock band The Tea Club. Alongside his musical partner and brother Patrick McGowan, The Tea Club have independently released 5 albums since 2008 and are set to release their 6th album in late 2024. They have toured the country extensively with bands such as Thank You Scientist, Bent Knee, and Moon Tooth. A graphic art enthusiast, Dan has done much of the band’s artwork, including a multi-issue comic book accompaniment to The Tea Club’s fourth album “Grappling”. Dan also played bass with

KANSAS keyboardist Tom Brislin in his band Gold Rotation.

Hailing from southern New Jersey, Dan is a self-taught singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He has a passion for 70’s progressive rock, passed on to him by his parents Pat and Jean, who would blast “Red”, “Close To the Edge”, and “Leftoverture” into the wee hours of the morning. For years he has worked at Inglis House, a wheelchair community in Philadelphia, where he gives music lessons, helps residents achieve their musical goals, and performs alongside them in the resident rock band “Wheelz”. Dan is also a martial arts instructor at All Star Kids Karate, where he goes by the name “Mr. Dan”.

“I am thrilled and honored to be joining KANSAS,” comments McGowan. “I am also deeply aware of the gigantic shoes that I will be filling. Dave Hope and Billy Greer are among the best musicians in rock history. I want the fans to know that I love the music of KANSAS, and I hold it in highest reverence. I am committed to doing justice to the band’s incredible legacy, and I am so grateful for this unbelievable opportunity!”

Dan McGowan, welcome to KANSAS!

Photo Credit – Sébastien Dion

September 6, 2024 – After nearly 40 years, Billy Greer has concluded his journey as bassist and co-lead vocalist for the band KANSAS.

The band KANSAS and its entire organization extend heartfelt gratitude to Billy for his decades of exceptional musicianship.

Billy joined KANSAS in 1985 and has been an unwavering presence with the band since.

“For 39 years, Billy has been a loyal, dedicated, and immensely talented bandmate. He’s travelled around the world with us including USO tours,” comments KANSAS original member Phil Ehart.

Original guitarist Richard Williams adds, “He stood shoulder to shoulder with us through both the ups and the downs. His voice, both singing and emceeing, has been a constant with us on stage. The entire KANSAS family will miss him.”

Billy has appeared on stage with KANSAS for more than 2,300 live performances. He has appeared on the studio albums “Power,” “In The Spirit Of Things,” “Freaks Of Nature,” “Always Never The Same,” “Somewhere To Elsewhere,” “The Prelude Implicit,” and “The Absence of Presence.” Billy is also featured on the live releases “Live at the Whisky,” “King Biscuit Flower Hour,” “Device Voice Drum,” “There’s Know Place Like Home,” “Leftoverture Live & Beyond,” and “Point of Know Return Live & Beyond.” Billy was also lead vocalist and bassist for the side project Native Window.

In the last 18 years, Billy has taken charge of the emcee role on stage enhancing the connection between the band on stage and the audience.

Billy’s departure will not impact any KANSAS performance scheduling. A new KANSAS bassist will be announced soon.

KANSAS would like to welcome guitarist Zak Rizvi back to the band!

Zak will re-join the band on tour starting on April 26 in Morristown, NJ.

Zak was a member of KANSAS from 2016-2020. He performed on, co-produced, and wrote many of the songs for the albums “The Prelude Implicit” and “The Absence of Presence.” Zak has also appeared on the live albums “Leftoverture Live & Beyond” and “Point of Know Return Live & Beyond.”

Zak Rizvi, welcome (back) to KANSAS!

23 DATES ADDED TO EXTEND CURRENT TOUR ENDING DECEMBER 2024 IN PITTSBURGH, PA

As a result of brisk ticket sales and numerous sellouts, America’s preeminent progressive rock band KANSAS is adding a third and final leg to their 50th Anniversary Tour. The “Another Fork in The Road” Tour celebrates 50 years of the band’s illustrious music history with concerts featuring two full hours of memorable hits, fan favorites and deep cuts rarely performed live. The tour has been hallmarked by energetic and spellbinding performances at some of the foremost theaters and performing arts centers across the United States and into Canada.

Most newly announced concert dates go on sale this Friday, March 22, 2024, at 10AM Local Venue Time. KANSAS Fan Club, American Express Card Holders, Spotify, and other pre-sales begin Wednesday, March 20, at 10AM Eastern Time.

KANSAS fans can access fan club presale tickets using the passcode KANSASBAND.

Previously announced concert dates and KANSAS VIP Packages are on sale now and selling fast.

Ticket information can be found at kansasband.com/tour-dates/

“This tour has already been incredibly special for the band. The 50th Anniversary Tour started in 2023 which commemorates KANSAS’s first year as a band. It is continuing in 2024 which commemorates the release of the first KANSAS album,” comments KANSAS guitarist and original member Richard Williams. “There are so many places in the U.S. where we haven’t been able to play yet, Topeka and Wichita just to name two, we knew we would have to add a third and final leg to the tour. After such a successful and sold-out premiere of the tour in Pittsburgh, PA, we wanted to put an exclamation point on the tour by having the closing 50th Anniversary Tour concert take place back there at the Benedum Center.”

In a tribute to the band’s five decades of success, Billboard Magazine describes the basis for their longstanding appeal: “Blending blues-based hard rock and intricate progressive constructions, KANSAS staked out its own musical territory, at once original and accessible.” Billboard.com – KANSAS Hits 50 “The audiences for this 50th Anniversary Tour have been exhilarating,” adds KANSAS lead vocalist Ronnie Platt. “Let me tell you, after a decade of performing in the band, the energy the fans bring each night continues to give me goosebumps. Fans in attendance seem to continue to raise their energy level and that just makes it even more fun for us up on stage than it already is!”

“As in life, our entire career has been a winding journey,” adds original guitarist Richard Williams. “Whether it’s been the ‘original’ lineup signing with Don Kirshner, years on the bus, touring with Queen, and finally worldwide success peaking with Leftoverture & Point of Know Return.” Williams goes on to remember, “That was followed by various lineup changes, the valleys of the 90’s and ‘dinosaur bands’ losing steam, to our most recent ‘rebirth’ and success of our latest new music over the last decade.” Williams concludes, “There have been and continue to be several forks in the road of that journey. This 50th Anniversary Tour and release represent that journey and the forks along that road.”

To further celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary, InsideOutMusic has released Another Fork in the Road – 50 Years of KANSAS. The 3-CD career-spanning collection features carefully selected tracks from across KANSAS’s sizable discography. It also includes a new version of the song ‘Can I Tell You.’ Originally released on their 1974 debut album, the song is updated by the current lineup. Another Fork in the Road – 50 Years of KANSAS is available now. Fans can order it here –
https://kansas.lnk.to/AnotherForkInTheRoad-50YearsOfKansas

KANSAS boasts a lineup including original guitarist Richard Williams, bassist & vocalist Billy Greer, lead vocalist & keyboardist Ronnie Platt, keyboardist & vocalist Tom Brislin, violinist & guitarist Joe Deninzon, and original drummer Phil Ehart. Drummer Eric Holmquist is performing on drums while Phil Ehart continues to recover from a major heart attack.

This summer, KANSAS will take a break from its 50th Anniversary Tour to perform its KANSAS Classics
set at different events across the United States

With no signs of slowing down, KANSAS continues to perform in front of large and enthusiastic audiences.

Newly Announced KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour – Another Fork in the Road Tour Dates

Previously Announced KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour – Another Fork in the Road Tour Dates

*Rescheduled dates from 2023 already on sale. Tickets for the original date will be honored for these concerts.

KANSAS Classics Tour Dates

More KANSAS Classics dates to be added.

For more information on KANSAS and the Another Fork in the Road – 50th Anniversary Tour please visit:
www.kansasband.com
www.facebook.com/kansasband
www.twitter.com/kansasband
www.instagram.com/kansasband
www.threads.net/kansasband
www.youtube.com/kansas

For media inquiries contact:
Jen Farhood
ChipsterPR
[email protected]

KANSAS original drummer and band manager, Phil Ehart, is taking time away from touring as drummer for KANSAS while he recovers after recently surviving a major heart attack. There is no timetable for his return to the road.

While not on the road, Phil is remaining in a prominent role with KANSAS during his recovery, serving as band manager, as he has done for 40 years.

Eric Holmquist will be on drums for KANSAS starting with the March 1, 2024, concert in Richmond, VA. Holmquist has filled in for Ehart on drums when Phil was ill in 2016, during Phil’s arm rehabilitation in 2022-2023, and has been performing the first half of shows during the KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour. Previously, Eric was Phil’s drum tech and protegé for more than 20 years.

KANSAS 50th Anniversary Tour – Another Fork in The Road continues March 1, 2024, in Richmond, VA. A complete list of tour dates can be found at kansasband.com. The band KANSAS carries on, adding more tour dates in 2024 and beyond.

100% of profits from limited edition apparel support The Toy Foundation in bringing the gift of play to children in need.

This holiday season, America’s legendary rock band KANSAS hopes to spread some joy to underprivileged children through limited time, special edition “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry On, Wayward Son” t-shirts and hoodies. Available online only at ShopStands.com, the apparel is available now until November 10th. The band will be donating all profits to The Toy Foundation, the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need.

“We believe in a world where every child has the opportunity to experience comfort, joy, and the extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play,” says Pamela Mastrota, Executive Director at The Toy Foundation. “Year-round and especially during the holiday gifting and giving season, our Toy Bank spreads joy and creates smiles with the gift of new toys to deserving families throughout the United States and around the world. Your support of The Toy Foundation gives the gift of play to a child in need.”

KANSAS is currently touring across North America to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, with an astounding 20 new dates recently added. “Another Fork in the Road” concerts dates, tickets and VIP packages can be found at kansasband.com/

tour-dates/.

The charity t-shirts will be on sale for a limited time only and will ship in mid-November, arriving in time for the holidays.

Stands: https://shopstands.com/
KANSAS: https://www.kansasband.com/
The Toy Foundation: https://toyfoundation.org/

A message from KANSAS the band:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, tonight’s KANSAS: 50th Anniversary Tour scheduled for this evening at the Tilles Center is postponed. The show will now take place on May 16, 2024.

Please keep your ticket! Tickets for the original performance will be honored for the new date.

KANSAS’s next performance will be Friday, October 20 in San Antonio, TX.

We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to performing for our fans on Long Island on May 16, 2024. Carry On.