Mike Keneally: Collaborating and Loving the People He Works With
I love this man, and it's a thrill that he's still touring.
Mike Keneally’s musical journey is a testament to the power of collaboration, mutual respect, and the joy of shared creativity. Known for his virtuosic guitar work and genre-defying compositions, Keneally has carved out a unique space in the music world—not just through his technical brilliance, but through the deep appreciation he holds for the people around him.
For his entire career, he’s been immersed in a prolific creative journey. Just in the past few years—he and South American media artist Marcelo Radulovich have recorded 7 albums. He’s working on something Devin Townsend.
His most recent release, The Thing That Knowledge Can’t Eat (2023), showcases Mike’s lyrical introspection and emotional depth. One track, in particular, grapples with the divisiveness of online discourse. “I was driven by anger earlier this year into some fairly rage-drenched Facebook posts,” he admits. “Ultimately, numbed by fatigue from the daily stream of outrage, I didn’t see the point anymore.” Instead, he’s channeling his sadness into lyrics that aim to transcend polemics and offer lasting artistic value.
photo by Martin Mann
I first encountered Mike through Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull—both of us bonded over our love of Frank Zappa, whom Mike famously played with. That connection opened the door to a working relationship that became personally meaningful. Mike supported me during a difficult time when I was being bullied online, reminding me that “people hide behind their online identities.” His empathy and insight helped me navigate those challenges, and I had the privilege of publicizing a few of his tours. Though interviews were hard to come by, Mike and his manager Scott were always appreciative of the effort.
Mike’s current tour with his band, Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins, features longtime collaborators Bryan Beller, Joe Travers, and Rick Musallam—musicians he’s played with for decades. “We all know each other like the backs of our hands,” he says. “We are a family, and the way we converse with one another while playing this stuff is not paralleled by any other musical relationship of my experience. I treasure them.”
Joining the band for select dates are Dave Bainbridge and Sally Minnear, whose duet set at last year’s ProgStock inspired Mike to invite them into the fold. “I immediately started fantasizing about what they could bring to my music as supplementary Dolphins,” he shares. “We won’t actually rehearse with Dave and Sally until the day before our ProgStock set, and I’m dying to hear what that’s going to sound like—I expect it will be glorious.”
Keneally’s reflections on collaboration are rich with wisdom. “Bring the best of what you have to offer, encourage the same of your collaborators, and never belittle the ideas of whoever you’re working with,” he advises. “Offer alternatives in the spirit of collaboration, not abject criticism. Timing is everything.”
His experience with Frank Zappa remains a defining chapter. “Frank was most definitely intimidating to me,” Mike recalls. “But he was very kind and totally supportive. The main thing I learned from him was the importance of laughing during rehearsal of complex material. If the atmosphere is as serious as the music, it can become a slog. But if everyone is smiling and sharing in the experience, it’s a total joy.”
That joy is something Mike strives to cultivate in his own band. “Leading a band takes patience, humor, confidence in one’s own ideas, and grateful acceptance of the ideas of your band,” he says. “I haven’t always demonstrated this kindness and generosity, and I’ve been embarrassed to be reminded of times when I’ve fallen short. I strive now to only lead my band in the best possible way. Basically, not to be a dick.”
His musical philosophy extends to performance as well. “I inherently have more respect for other peoples’ music than I do my own, at least in terms of playing it with total accuracy,” he admits. “But I’m tempering that attitude. I’m approaching my own music as though it were written by someone else, trying to pay it the same respect I would pay to Devin or Satriani.”
Still, Keneally embraces spontaneity. “With my own music I feel the freedom onstage to step off-script and follow in-the-moment musical instincts. I think of the recorded versions of my songs as blueprints, and every time I get onstage I try to build a house that’s never been built in quite that way before.”
His reflections on past collaborations are equally heartfelt. “I wish I’d played with Wayne Kramer more,” he says. “He gave me the ultimate honor of telling me that he hadn’t had as much fun improvising with another guitarist since the days of him playing with Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith in the MC5. His amalgamation of street-level rock and roll with poetry and high-minded art conceptualism was inspiring.”
Even as he continues to push musical boundaries, Mike Keneally remains grounded in gratitude. From the Baked Potato in Los Angeles to Alvas in San Pedro and Reggies in Chicago, he’s built a network of supportive venues that allow him to share his original music. “It was next to impossible to find work playing original music in the ‘80s,” he reflects. “To the degree that that has changed, it only happened after I played with Zappa. But it’s still a struggle.”
And yet, through every challenge, Keneally’s love for the people he works with shines through. His story is one of perseverance, humility, and the transformative power of collaboration. Whether improvising with legends or rehearsing with lifelong friends, Mike Keneally brings heart, humor, and humanity to every note—and to every person who shares the stage with him.
photo by Mark Mennigmann
Mike Keneally is on the road with his band Beer For Dolphins, plus Dave Bainbridge & Sally Minnear, and opener Matt Dorsey.
October 9-12, 2025 - ProgStock Festival, Williams Center, Rutherford, NJ
October 14, 2025 - The Cutting Room, New York, NY
October 15, 2025 - The Allen Theater, Annville, PA
October 16, 2025 - Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH
October 17, 2025 - Sweetwater Performance Theater, Fort Wayne, IN
October 18, 2025 - Reggies Banannas Shack, Chicago, IL
One of the songs I love from Mike is “Beautiful.” His vocals are jazzy, and I think the lyrics are about realizing who your tribe is. I might use them for an upcoming “Kindness Session.”
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