Kevin Mcintosh

Kevin McIntosh’s roots to Green Turtle Cay go way back to his parents, Thomas Gilbert McIntosh and Doris Rosalee Reckley-McIntosh. The family lived in a house built like a “train” or “shotgun” near Two Shortys. The home had two kids' bedrooms, each with 4 bunk beds. The rooftop had an open shelter where couches were placed. Many nights, the kids would sleep under the stars. Kevin was born the 10th of 14 siblings. Their names, from oldest to youngest, are Clara, Earklin, Kola, Luke, Frank, Josephine, Patricia, Paula (who lives in Australia), Euturpy, Kevin, Ruth, Cyrenious, Denise, and Christopher. Chances are, you have met one or more of Kevin’s siblings!

Kevin was interviewed by the 5th/6th grade “boys,” who also happen to be his extended family! Kevin is “(Grand)papa” to Kaydon and “Uncle” to Terrance, Bryce, and Kailum! Both Kevin’s and his “boys” favorite song? “Start Me Up!” by Funky D.

Kevin’s circle of friends included his siblings and neighborhood kids gathering to play marbles and spin tops. His schoolmates nicknamed him “Buck” for being more interested in subjects outside the classroom studies. In Kevin’s teens and early 20s, he joined the “Home Furniture Turtles” softball team and reports being a “fair” player. His favorite memory is when a player missed a “pop-up” ball, allowing him to finally make it to base! This was the same year the team won the Abaco Softball Championship! Kevin reminisces about those being the “fun days” of playing ball.

Kevin took his love of the game and went on to become a softball announcer in his 20s. In between innings, Kevin would switch to DJ and cue up melodies.

The age to learn to drive in GTC was 18 years old. However, Kevin was driving at age 16, practicing on Black Sound Road. One time, a police officer saw him driving without a license and instructed Kevin to visit Martha Cash to rectify the situation. He got his license but never received a ticket!

Kevin attended The Amy Roberts School up to and including the 9th grade, as ninth-grade education was the standard for completion. Kevin graduated on a Friday and started his first full-time job the following Monday in construction with his dad, who worked for Roger Phillips. His starting salary was $45.00 a week. His full-time day job career expanded to include roles at GTC’s former power plant by the cemetery and as Mackey International Airline’s luggage attendant at the Treasure Cay Airport.

Kevin met the love of his life, Sandra, when he was 21, and they married in 1981. They have two daughters, Kevanna and Rev’e. The tradition in the family when one of the siblings got married was to remain in the family home with their betrothed while building their own home. At one point, the family home went from 16 members to 25 family members all living under one roof!

Kevin finally found his calling as “Dock Master” at Pineapples Resort’s 25-slip marina, where the Pineapples Bar was infamous for its pool bar and the “best GTC bartender,” Vonnie, Kevin’s niece and sister Clara’s daughter, Yvonne.

Hurricane Dorian struck GTC in 2019 and changed the lives of many, including Kevin’s. Dorian completely washed away Pineapples’ 25 boat slips and tore the second floor off Kevin’s home. Kevin returned to his construction skills, rebuilt his home’s second floor, and resumed daily construction employment.

It is Kevin’s love for music that has brought him the most enjoyment throughout his career. His dad played the accordion in a band years before he was born, and his mom introduced Kevin to the guitar, showing him how to play his first three chords: C, F, and G. Kevin soon discovered that he had an “ear” for music and could break down each song by listening solely to the melody. From there, Kevin learned how to play the bass guitar, guitar, and keyboard.

His first band was called the “Buccaneers.” They played at The Sea Garden Club, owned by Burt Reckley and Stafford Cooper, next to Blue Bees Bar. The band was composed of Rickey Sawyer on drums, Wade Cash on bass, Billy Roberts and Kevin on guitar, Martha Cash singing, and Reggie Sawyer on the shakers. This band ended in 1981.

The second band Kevin played in was formed with musicians here on GTC: Kevin McIntosh on guitar, Gully (Godfrey) McIntosh on keyboard, Brent Curry and Vincent Cooper on drums, Vernal Cooper and his sibling Earklin McIntosh on bass. This band started in 1981 and was named “The Gully Roosters.” Kevin chose this name as a tribute to the sounds of the sea gulls “cawing” throughout the day, accompanied by the roosters “crowing” at dawn. The birds' music was a constant presence in his life.

It did not take long for The Gully Roosters to become the number one band in the Bahamas. They were in demand six nights a week. Many of the songs played were written by the band. Kevin’s favorite is called “Let’s Go Go to Abaco!”

Their reputation grew outside of the Bahamas to include yearly engagements at “Ocean Fest” in Fort Lauderdale. This was a four-day music festival with The Gully Roosters as the lead band! The band produced two records: “Rooster Jam” and “Soul of Green Turtle.” Both are available through https://www.discogs.com/. Here are two links to their songs:

Destiny 

She Left Me In My Own Tears 

At the height of their touring, the band’s favorite place to play was at Roosters Rest. This much-loved dance nightclub was located at the top of New Plymouth Hill. In addition to Roosters Rest, the band played at The Green Turtle Club and Bluff House, rounding out weekly six-night engagements to adoring crowds, both local and visiting.

When drummer Brent injured his leg, The Gully Roosters found a temporary replacement. However, the strenuous, nonstop six-night-a-week performances, along with a case of strep throat, wreaked havoc on Kevin’s vocal cords and prohibited him from singing for six months. The Gully Roosters decided to take a hiatus, which, sadly, turned into the end of the band.

However, Kevin’s love for music persisted. He now has a one-man band called the “Bahamian Rock Star,” showcasing Kevin’s vocals and keyboard artistry. Kevin plays every Wednesday and Saturday at the Green Turtle Club, every Friday at Pineapples, along with private bookings for weddings, private parties, and local events.

Kevin’s hope is to develop more musicians on GTC. The community needs to foster youth in the arts. He hopes that Junkanoo will expand their musical repertoire beyond the drums. Kevin would love to hear Junkanoo perform “Let’s Go Go to Abaco” in their parade performances.

Kevin would like to share a tribute to Vernal Cooper and his family: “Vernal Cooper was the best bass player ever! He just loved it to the max and will be missed by all the members of the band. God blessed us to have him with us. Rest in peace, my cus. Thanks.”