Father-daughter duo closes out Concert in the Park series
The 2024 summer Concert in the Park series concluded with a performance from Kc & Dad Ness. The two person band features singer Kc Mae Ness along with her father Joe Ness. The two described their music as “eclectic,” ranging from Rock ‘n Roll and folk classics to original songs about Tupperware Sales people and guys named Todd.
NEW ULM – The father and daughter duo “Kc & Dad Ness” gave the final performance of the 2024 Concert in the Park series was held in the New Ulm Community Center, Thursday.
Thursday afternoon’s storm forced the final concert to move indoors. Joe Ness, the “Dad” half of the band, said 30 years ago he played the Concert in the Park series with a rock band called “Wires Cross” and it rained during that performance too.
“At least I am consistent,” he said.
Joining Ness on stage was his daughter Kc Mae Ness. Both are longtime New Ulm residents who recently began performing together again.
Ness said they first starting doing shows together 20 years ago as a trio. His father Dick Ness was part of the band, playing violin. Back then the group was called “Second Children,” as all three members were the second child in their families.
Joe Ness provides guitar accompaniment and backup vocals for his daughter Kc Mae Ness as they close out the Concert in the Park series, Thursday night.
The band went their separate ways for a few years after Kc Ness moved to South Dakota, but she moved back to New Ulm a few years ago and they kept planning to start the band again. This year the stars finally realigned and they were able sing together again.
“It is so much fun,” Joe Ness said.
Kc Ness said she loved performing music with her dad.
“It feels natural,” she said. “It is familiar.”
At first, Kc Ness thought the two would need to rehearse a lot to get back into the swing of things, but she said the first few practices went over well.
“It has been going really good,” she said. “Our goal is to keep playing. My dad is my favorite sidekick.”
Kc & Dad Ness describe their music as eclectic. Many of the songs they performed Thursday night were original songs. Some were written by Joe and others by Kc. For one song, Joe admitted stealing from a haiku Kc wrote in the third grade to use in the chorus for one his songs. The two also performed well known songs from Harry Chapin and The Beatles.
The duo closed out their concert with a cover of the Green Day’s “Good Riddance.” This would have been the last song of the 2024 Concert in the Park series, but Isaac Smith, Kc’s son and Joe’s grandson, took the microphone and sang “You Are My Sunshine,” in light of the stormy weather coming to an end.
The Ness family is considering adding Isaac to the lineup.
-
- The 2024 summer Concert in the Park series concluded with a performance from Kc & Dad Ness. The two person band features singer Kc Mae Ness along with her father Joe Ness. The two described their music as “eclectic,” ranging from Rock ‘n Roll and folk classics to original songs about Tupperware Sales people and guys named Todd.
-
- Joe Ness provides guitar accompaniment and backup vocals for his daughter Kc Mae Ness as they close out the Concert in the Park series, Thursday night.
