Kansas has officially added a new member to the band, a familiar face for many fans. Scott Bernard, who has been filling in for longtime guitarist Rich Williams over the summer, is now a permanent member of the group.
Williams, a band member since 1973, will continue to be part of Kansas, though he plans to cut back on touring. “Scott Bernard is a fantastic guitar player, a great guy, and is my hand-picked choice to help carry on the legacy of the band Kansas,” Williams said in an official statement. “I am not stepping down nor retiring, but I am slowing down.”
Kansas recently concluded a series of shows with 38 Special and will kick off more headliner concerts later this month. A complete list of upcoming dates is provided below.
Bernard, a Nashville-based musician originally from Louisiana, boasts a nearly 20-year tenure with Kenny Loggins’ band, serving as musical director for the last seven years. He has also collaborated with artists such as Michael McDonald, Alan Parsons, Joe Bonamassa, Al Stewart, and Richard Marx, among others. “To say that I am excited to join the Kansas family is quite the understatement,” Bernard said in an official statement. “As a lifelong Kansas fan, their music has been an integral part of my musical upbringing.”
The current Kansas lineup includes Williams and Bernard, along with vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, keyboardist/vocalist Tom Brislin, guitarist Zak Rizvi, violinist/guitarist Joe Deninzon, and bassist/vocalist Dan McGowan. Eric Holmquist is temporarily filling in for co-founding drummer Phil Ehart, who is recovering from a major heart attack. Platt is also dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Williams cited an eye issue as the reason for reducing his touring schedule. “Macular degeneration has made travel increasingly difficult to the point where it impedes my ability to get to as many shows as I want,” Williams said. “I will still be at, and perform at, as many concerts as I can. Adding Scott as a member of Kansas, alongside Zak Rizvi on guitar, allows the shows that I’m not at, and Kansas, to go on well into the future. When we all three are there, we will all perform.”
Bernard recalled that his first concert as a teenager was Kansas, noting, “I have closely followed their career ever since. They were and remain my favorite band ever. I am deeply humbled to be chosen to help perpetuate their legacy, which is both a privilege and a surreal experience.”
Kansas 2025 Tour Dates:
– Aug. 22: Wheeling, WV @ Capitol Theatre
– Aug. 23: Farmington, PA @ Timber Rock Amphitheater
– Aug. 24: Oxon Hill, MD @ The Theater at MGM National Harbor (Rescheduled from June 7)
– Aug. 29: Michael, ND @ Spirit Lake Amphitheatre
– Sept. 4: Monterey, CA @ Golden State Theatre
– Sept. 5: Modesto, CA @ Gallo Center for the Arts – Mary Stuart Rogers Theater
– Sept. 6: Rohnert Park, CA @ The Event at Graton Resort and Casino
– Sept. 10: Cerritos, CA @ Cerritos Center
– Sept. 12: Rancho Mirage, CA @ The Show: Agua Caliente Casino
– Sept. 13: Chandler, AZ @ Gila River Resorts and Casinos: Wild Horse Pass
– Sept. 19: Waite Park, MN @ The Ledge Waite Park Amphitheater
– Sept. 21: Grand Island, NE @ Heartland Events Center at the Nebraska State Fair
– Sept. 26: Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater
– Sept. 27: St. Louis, MO @ Fabulous Fox Theatre
– Oct. 1: Erie, PA @ Warner Theatre – PA
– Oct. 2: Williamsport, PA @ Journey Bank Community Arts Center
– Oct. 4: Bensalem, PA @ Xcite Center: Parx Casino and Racing
– Oct. 9: Lexington, KY @ CommonSpirit Health Stage at Gatton Park
– Oct. 16: Greensboro, NC @ Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
– Oct. 17: Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium
– Oct. 18: North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Performing Arts Center
– Nov. 2: Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Arts Center
– Nov. 7: Des Plaines, IL @ Rivers Casino Des Plaines
– Nov. 8: Oshkosh, WI @ Oshkosh Arena
– Nov. 9: Erie, PA @ Warner Theatre – PA
– Nov. 15: Rama, ON, CA @ Casino Rama (Rescheduled from May 30)
– Nov. 16: Kitchener, ON, CA @ Centre in the Square Ontario
– Nov. 21: Catoosa, OK @ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa: The Joint (Rescheduled from Feb. 14)
– Nov. 22: Durant, OK @ Choctaw Grand Theater (Rescheduled from Feb. 15)
– Dec. 5: Las Vegas, NV @ Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
– Dec. 6: Albuquerque, NM @ Route 66 Casino
– Dec. 11: San Antonio, TX @ Majestic Theatre San Antonio
– Jan. 30: Meridian, MS @ MSU Riley Center
