In September, Dan McGowan from South Jersey achieved his dream job. He became the new bass player for Kansas after Billy Greer's 40-year tenure. McGowan, now 38, was born after Kansas' 1970s heyday but was raised in Deptford on a diet of progressive rock like Rush and King Crimson. He recalls his teenage friends getting into Green Day and Nirvana while he was into "In the Court of the Crimson King".

McGowan's Dual Life

For the past six months, McGowan has been on Kansas' near-constant touring schedule. He'll be performing in Reading this Sunday, his first local show since joining the band and one of the last stops on their 50th anniversary tour. Yet, he hasn't given up his day job. Twice a week, he teaches music to adults with disabilities at Inglis House in Wynnefield.In a music room at Inglis, a handful of residents in motorized wheelchairs come together to jam. They call themselves Wheelz. Keyboardist Chris Hinchey, who used to dance at the Rock School before his neurofibromatosis limited his walking, said, "Music is music, whether you're in a chair or walking. You can still express yourself through it."Dan McGowan leads a session with Wheelz. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Teaching Wheelz

McGowan walks Hinchey and the rest of the band through rock staples from Steve Miller to Collective Soul. Due to their varying skill levels and physical conditions, he keeps the songs relatively simple. But every now and then, he surprises them. He said, "I'm a progressive rocker at heart. We did 'Solsbury Hill' by Peter Gabriel, and I'm like, 'You guys don't know this but you're playing in 7/8 right now.' They're like, 'What does that even mean?'"Keyboardist Chris Hinchey plays with Wheelz. (Emma Lee/WHYY)Wheelz is one of Inglis House's music therapy programs. In the four years McGowan has been leading the band, not a single Kansas composition has been taught. He said, "I don't want to bring my work home." But at the request of a WHYY reporter, he made an exception.

Wheelz's Ringer

Wheelz has its own ringer-in-residence, Keith Crass, 63. He started playing drums at 7 and was playing professionally until multiple sclerosis affected his career. He said, "Until I really had MS, I did everything from Polish stuff to heavy metal to regular rock. It's been a whole lot of fun with this group of gentlemen, and I say 'gentlemen' loosely."Drummer Keith Crass practices with Wheelz. (Emma Lee/WHYY)McGowan said the Kansas gig suits him perfectly. It tours extensively but not too much as two original members, Phil Erhart and Rich Williams, are 73 and 74 years old. He added, "I don't like to stay still, but I also love my family and being home. With this band, it works out perfectly as basically half the week I'm at home and the other half I'm traveling and playing in front of people."When not touring, he continues his other bands. The Tea Club, his local progressive rock project, is about to release a new album, and he also leads Wheelz at Inglis House.He said, "I love these guys. I'm helping bring music to them, and it's extremely meaningful to them. I get a lot out of that. These are my guys."In Wheelz, McGowan trades vocal duties with Kevin Ryan. He started singing in Catholic school with his brother and later sang at open mics. When he moved into Inglis House, he was hooked on the band playing "Horse With No Name". He said, "I grew up in Philly, listening to WIBG and WFIL. Singing with Dan is like singing along with the radio."McGowan made a multi-track recording of Wheelz playing an original song, hoping to have it mixed and posted on YouTube soon. As for Kansas, their last studio album was "The Absence of Presence" in 2020. They have "threatened" to go back into the studio but have no plans so far.WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit, we rely on financial support from readers. Please give today.