Despite Losing His Eyesight, Musician Kenny Cheairs Overcame Obstacles and Developed Prospering Omaha Rock Band 'The Fixed Fight'

Cheairs, guitarist and lead singer of The Fixed Fight, talks about his goals for the band he created, how his struggles in life inspired his songwriting, and how going blind and making music changed his life...for the better.

By: Audrey Kay

What is generally the first thing to come to mind when you think of musicians such as Jeff Healey or Stevie Wonder? Though many people would point out their loss of vision, it more than likely would not be the first thing mentioned. These incredible performers had the ability to engage their audience to the point that their disability seemed non-existent. They had a unique persona that was so charismatic, it made them some of the most respected musicians of all time. I guarantee if anyone spent five minutes with Kenny Cheairs, you will see that same special charisma. Always friendly and upbeat, it was difficult for me to believe that was not always his personality type. During our conversation, Cheairs took me back to some darker parts of his past, and how his perseverance through it all opened his eyes to his musical potential. Though hard work does not always get you there faster, it inevitably led to the forming of his band, The Fixed Fight, whose continuously growing fan base is proof that determination is key, no matter what your setbacks may be.

Though he chose to stick with playing the acoustic guitar in The Fixed Fight, Cheairs is self-taught in a vast range of other instruments as well. "I've played drums on and off since 1998," he explains, "I taught myself and learned a lot from just watching other people play. I've always been an audio type of learner. I picked up the bass about six years ago, and then started broadening my horizons when I started losing my vision about four years ago and learned the piano and acoustic." With a love and appreciation for all different types of music, the members of TFF feel that their music is something that anyone can enjoy. "We don't have a set style in mind. You can hear a lot of different influences in all of our songs, ranging from pop punk, rock and a little bit of hardcore influences to some of it," Cheairs says, "What's cool about all the guys in the band is we all have our own styles. I feel really confident about writing new material because, in retrospect, you will always hear ‘The Fixed Fight' in every song and it's generally the same, just more to it. You will hear us experiment with new styles, like some indie and really cool guitar stuff. Just more to it."

Something I really dig about these guys, or any local musicians for that matter, is when it really does not make a difference to them where they play or how many people they can fill a room with; they just want to play their music. This band has played anywhere from Sokol to Hot Topic, and while fame and fortune is a nice ambition, they understand the real reason behind what they do. "I've grown up so much in the last four years," he explains, "That used to be all I thought about. I already went through the drugs, the drinking, and the women. I just don't care about that anymore. Before I started going blind, I didn't care about anything. I wasn't taking care of myself (Cheairs was diagnosed with diabetes) and it really hit me hard. I needed something to wake me up. I knew I had to make a change. I could sit here and write songs about ‘bitches and hoes' to try to get people to like my music, but it isn't me. I want to write something that inspires and makes people feel good, feel optimistic."

Besides just playing great music and something to catch people's ear, the lyrics and message behind every song The Fixed Fight plays is just as, if not more, important. Just as Cheairs found music a great therapy to help him through his struggles, he feels like he can make a difference in peoples' lives that are going through similar things. Along with all the tracks that Cheairs himself wrote, they also perform covers of songs such as the Foo Fighters' "My Hero" and Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down". Each song has a personal meaning to the band. "What I love is writing music where other people can be like ‘I know what you mean, I know what you're going through'," Cheairs replies, "I wrote songs that people can sort of relate to me. I write about sobriety, I wrote a song called ‘Finding out for Yourself' explaining how shallow people I was around were, and talking about friends I found out really weren't my friends at all. A lot of the songs are motivational in a way, and helping people realize no one can bring you down but yourself. I went through something really shitty, and hopefully I can in some way help people going through things, too."

Though the hardships that Cheairs went through are the inspiration behind much of the band's songs, do not think for a second that he sits around crying about it. When I asked if he thought of his vision loss as a blessing or a curse, he did not even think twice about how to respond. "It's been an absolute blessing, honestly," he says. "[Someone] once said ‘life is so much more beautiful when you're blind, because you don't see the bullshit everyday. I would never change a thing and I've never been happier in my life. Definitely a blessing in disguise."

If you are moved by heavy instrumentals, powerful lyrics, and a combination of hard rock mixed in with some slower melodies, The Fixed Fight will be anything but a disappointment!

Catch them this THIS SATURDAY at Sokol Underground alongside other great bands in the area! Headlining is GET DOWN! with Atavan, Skies Alive, Danger Is My Middle Name, and Hair Check.
Doors @ 7:00/ Show @ 8:00
$10 at the door
Advance tickets are available @ http://www.etix.com and
at Homers for $8.00

MP3 Promo

Also, be sure to check out their website at thefixedfight.com and don't forget to add them on Facebook and Myspace as well!

Audrey Kay xxx

4.2.10