Celebrating 20 Years of Great Entertainment! 

The Benders are polished and professionals and are sought out by such musical legends as The Platters, and The Marvellettes. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer , Billy Richards, lead singer of The Coasters says, " These guys are show business. Whenever we're in the midwest, we ask to work with The Benders

        The Benders understand that the entertainment they provide for your event reflects directly on you and we will do their part to create a positive reflection. The Benders come from the old school of entertainment, They believe people hear with their eyes as well as their ears, so looking good is a priority. The Benders not only have exceptional musical talent, but dressing and performing with class and style for every show they perform is the status quo. We look good so you look good!        

         Saxophonist Kevin May sums up The Benders approach like this, " We take the word showbiz serious, we know that the show comes first, and without it, there would be no "biz".
 

Meet The Benders 

      Byron Brewer first fronted the Benders on October 28th 1985, that was also about the time of his last hair cut and yes it is real! Byron will often say his hair is more popular than he is. Byron's musical path was a varied and much traveled one, he spent the late 70's touring North America with the Eddie Moore band. After stints in California and western Canada the eighties Saw Byron based out of Denver before returning to his Home town of Wichita and unleashing his brand of wit and humor on us all, and last but not least, YES! the hair is real!

                                 "Never Doubt The Doo!"

      Kevin May has been playing guitar and saxophone for over 35 years growing up in Wichita and attending Wichita State University studying music, and eventually teaching at Wichita State for ten years while playing in many local bands. Kevin formed his own band Kevin May and the Deaconairs ( which featured current Bender guitarist David Keller and keyboardist Howard O. Bedient ) in the late eighties, traveling much of Midwest before joining the Benders in 1990 remaining until 1998 when he joined internationally acclaimed  Roomful of Blues based out of Road Island. During his time with Roomful Kevin Toured the world performing with such artists as Ray Charles, Wilson Picket, Ike Turner, Greg Allman, David Crosby, and The Blues Brothers Band. A desire to raise his family in Wichita brought Kevin Back to the Midwest in 1999 again reforming the Deaconairs.   Kevin Plays a Selmer, Martin & Unison Saxophones, Otto Link, Claude Lakey & Beechler  mouthpieces and Vandoren ZZ Reeds.

    A 1986 Music performance graduate of Wichita State University David brings an extensive musical background to the Benders. A Veteran of many of the area's finest bands including Groove Therapy, Kevin May and The Deaconairs, Blues Farm and most recently Wichita's own Mid-Life Crisis, David keeps busy teaching up to 50 guitar students a week, an avid jogger and single Dad, David can often been seen daily on the streets of Wichita feeding his 8 mile a day habit! 

      Howard brings a wide range of talents to the already packed Benders line-up. Playing and touring nationally since 1969 with a variety of acts including notable groups Super Cirkus and 1910 Fruitgum Company ( with hits you might remember, Quick Joey Small and 1-2-3 Red Light ).  Howard is comfortable in a number of performance settings, as an accomplished solo act he has performed in and around the Wichita area for many years. Howard has also performed with a number of Bands including The Special Blend Band, The Jerry Hardman Band and most recently along with current Benders Kevin and David in Kevin's band The Deaconairs. Howard's other interests include computers, Spanish culture and music recording. Howard's keyboard arsenal on stage includes a Korg I2 , Korg PA 1XPro and Roland VA-Combo all run thru the mighty Barbetta Sona 41C amp!

For 20 Years The Benders have been on the road, some of the stops have included:

Topeka Country Club, Topeka KS - Wichita Country Club, Wichita KS - KEYN 103.7 Wichita KS - The Cottillion Ballroom, Wichita KS - Chisholm Trail Festival, Newton KS - Bluffs Run Casino, Council bluffs Iowa - Midwest Singles Dance Club, KC MO - Jimmy Buffet's Cheeseburger In Paradise, KC KS - Johnson County Fair, Johnson County KS - Washburn University, Topeka KS    Kansas State University, Manhatten KS - Harrah's Casino, Kansas City MO - Ramblers , Manhatten KS - Old Shawnee Days, Shawnee Mission KS - Busters, Derby KS - Tulsa State Fair - Wichita Swing Dance Society - Trout Elementary School - Ponca City OK - The Ameristar Casino, KC MO - Abe & Jakes Landing, Manhatten KS - Marryville Elks Lodge, Marryville MO - Lake Point Nursing Home, Wichita KS - Rolling Hills Country Club, Wichita KS - Derby Days, Derby KS - Jazzoo, KC MO - Sedgewick County Fair, Sedgewick KS - Sam's Town Casino, Tupolo MS - Dick Clark's American Bandstand Cafe, KC MO - The Mega Plex, Wichita KS  The Moose Lodge, Hutchinson KS - Wichita Lawn and Garden Show - Crestview Country Club - Wichita KS  Shawnee Mission Country Club, Shawnee KS - Marriott Hotel, Overland Park KS - Capital Plaza Hotel, Topeka KS - Kansas Expo Center, Topeka KS - The Wichita Wranglers Baseball Team - Arts in The Park, Manhattan KS       Good Ole Days, Fort Scott KS - The Vinewood Roadhouse, Topeka KS - Kansas Life Project -                           Willie's Lakeview Lounge, Ponca City OK

 Song List!

On Any given' night you might hear these songs or many others spanning the 50's to the 70's by such artists as:  

Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett, Bobby Darrin, The Drifters, Sam Cook, Bill Haley, Ray Charles, Boots Randolph, Bob Seger, The Rolling Stones, Chubby Checker, The Temptations, Dion and The belmonts, The Coasters....

• All Shook Up

• Whole Lotta Shakin'

• Rockin' Robin

• Down on the Corner

• You Really Got a Hold on Me

• Long Cool Woman

• Doo Wah Ditty

• Maybe Baby

• Dream Lover

• Sea Cruise

• Earth Angel

• Bye, Bye Love

• You Send Me

• Who Put the Bomp?

• In The Still of the Night

• Poor Side of Town

• Devil In The Blue Dress

• Some Kind of Wonderful

• Stuck in the Middle with You

• Stray Cat Strut

• Wipe out

• Harlem Nocturne

• Finger Poppin' Time

• Spirit in the Sky

• Little Bitty Pretty One

• I Can't Help Falling in Love with You

• Hound Dog

• Pretty Woman

• Black is Black

• Pink Cadillac

• Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

• Thrill on the Hill

• Rip it Up

• Fire

• Waterbed Lou

• Go to Pieces

• Unchained Melody

• Steamroller Blues

• Bad Moon Risin'

• Maybelline

• Tossin' and Turnin'

• I Feel Good

• The Lion Sleeps Tonight

• Mony, Mony

• Louie, Louie

• Get Ready

• My Girl

• Rockin' in the USA

• Melancoly Serenade

• Crazy

• Too Much

• Then You Can Say Goodbye