Kenny Bailey has built his life around live music — not just as a touring drummer, but also as someone who understands what it takes to make shows happen behind the scenes. He’s one of those rare people who can handle the stage and the business side with equal confidence.
Bailey became widely known in the Midwest as the longtime owner of Rascals in Moline, Illinois, a venue he bought from his father. Based on a 2014 profile noting he had owned the bar for 15 years at that time, his ownership dates back to around 1999 — putting him at roughly 27 years in the business as of 2026.
Bailey expanded Rascals into a larger concert operation by opening Rascals Live next door. His role in the business went beyond venue ownership when he worked as tour manager for Devil City Angels — giving him first-hand experience handling the touring side of the industry and the venue side.
What he’s doing now: Bailey continues operating Rascals / Rascals Live and remains active in the live-music world through venue leadership, booking, and ongoing musician and industry involvement.
Sources: River Cities’ Reader (David Burke, 2014); Drummer Photographer; WQAD; LinkedIn; ArtistAndFan.
Update: 1/21/26