A few years back, some guys who were originally known as Kansas got together for a party in Westport - in Kansas City. This was around 2000, when Cuneiform Records was about to release "Proto-Kaw - Early Recordings from Kansas 1971 - 1973". OK. I know you think you know Kansas, but I'm betting you don't know THIS Kansas.
History time. There were 3 incarnations of the band, Kansas. Kerry Livgren & Phil Ehart formed the first iteration. They split. Ehart started a band called White Clover. Livgren started a second band called Kansas. Ehart lured Livgren away to join White Clover. Kansas (2) disbanded. That was around 1973. The guys went on to live normal lives.
White Clover changed their name to Kansas, became massively successful rock stars and filled stadiums with teaming fans and still tour to this day.
Kansas (2) is the band in question here. They'd had recordings that had been done, but they'd never secured a record deal. Along came the internet. Their recordings were posted and Cuneiform heard them. Kerry Livgren had long since left Kansas, had had another band or two and was doing solo music. Cuneiform contacted him and asked if they'd be interested in their music being released on CD. He contacted his former band mates, who were in favor of it and were willing to have a reunion jam at the release party at the Westport Coffeehouse. The reunion was magical.
During a break, they talked out in the parking lot and Kerry asked the guys if they'd be interested in recording some new music. Low and behold, they were and Proto-Kaw (the band) was born. The name came from Proto - early and Kaw - the plains Indian word for Kansas. (Locally, the Kansas River is to this day known as The Kaw).
This is where I came in. I'd been doing work for some of Kerry's solo releases and was asked to do the cover for the new release.
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