Kenny Sloas, banjo player with the Sloas Brothers band and the Dixie Play Boys, passed away on Thursday morning, June 20.
William McKinley ‘Kenny’ Sloas, 78 of Isonville, Kentucky, was born September 4, 1934. He was one of six brothers all of whom were musically blessed and at various times three or four of them made up the sibling band.
Sloas Brothers released two LPs – I’m Going Home Again (REM 1023, 1967) and Memories of the Past (Lemco 057, 1976). On this latter album, four of the brothers played: Dave Sloas (guitar), Kenny Sloas (banjo), John Sloas (fiddle) and David Ray Sloas (bass). The first three named brothers were featured on the REM album.
Kenny, John and Dave (both of whom preceded Kenny in death) wrote most of the songs that they sang. One song I’m Going Home Again, was recorded by the band Longview on their second album, High Lonesome (Rounder, 1999).
Kenny Sloas played on John Rigsby Forks of the Ivy album (Hay Holler 1350, 2000).