By: Trina Indi Johnson
When darkness begins to cloak Margaritaville’s open-air stage, Kelo McKane begins to light it up. He strums a guitar riff that hums with raw energy, strides into the crowd with mic in hand, and sparks rowdy singalongs and quick-witted banter. It’s pure McKane: vibrant, unscripted, and pulsing with a spirit that draws the audience in.
Rogelio Dávila, performing as Kelo McKane, lights up South Padre Island’s music scene. His sound melds classic rock, blues, country, ’90s alternative, and regional Mexican into a genre he’s shaping called Cantina Blues. “It’s a mix of classic rock, blues, a little country, some ’90s alternative, and some regional Mexican,” he says, crafting a sound as restless as a summer storm.
Music zapped him early. At four, he was belting Elvis—likely “Hound Dog”—into a mic plugged to his family’s old stereo. “I found a picture of myself at four years old singing into a microphone plugged into one of those old stereos,” he recalls. That spark became a lifelong passion in 2005, after he commanded a Matamoros festival stage for 30,000 people. “I felt at home on stage and told my band I wanted to do this forever,” he says. A COVID-induced pause later reignited his drive. “I started from scratch and have played over 600 shows in the last three years,” he notes.
His performances are electric, weaving through the audience to connect and riffing freely, keeping every moment charged. This summer, he powered through seven gigs a week at Bar Louie, Copa Inn, and Margaritaville. He teams with Raúl García, dubbed “The Captain,” for the Acoustic Special. Their bond, sparked in the ’90s, locked in during 2004 when García joined McKane’s original band. “We met back in the ’90s, played in a cover band in 2003, and in 2004 he joined my original band McKane,” he says. “We recorded an album, had a radio hit in 2005, and toured until the band dissolved in 2009.” The Devilla Band, once DeVille Blues Band, delivers a raw, bluesy edge. “I have two formats: Acoustic Special and Devilla Band,” he explains.
His influences span a wide arc. The Black Crowes anchor his rock roots, Buddy Guy shines as his blues star. “My all-time favorite rock and roll band is The Black Crowes,” he says. “My favorite blues singer-guitarist is Buddy Guy. I also enjoy a lot of ’90s bands like Stone Temple Pilots.” Songwriting is a shared effort. “I don’t write a lot alone—usually I collaborate,” he says. “When I write, I think of a story or feeling I want to project. I build the atmosphere first, then the story—whether personal, someone else’s, or imagined.” He’s channeling that into a Cantina Blues single due in October, plus live recordings and reimagined covers. “I’m releasing a Cantina Blues single in October, doing live recordings of my original songs, re-releasing older singles, and recording my own versions of covers that I play at South Padre Island,” he shares.
A broad grid keeps his circuits humming. From musicians to fans grabbing merch, McKane’s thankful for the support. Alberto Kreimerman recently supported his Cantina Blues vision. “Many people have joined me—musicians, radio, media,” he says. “Recently, Alberto Kreimerman has supported me, inviting me to create and helping develop Cantina Blues.” Social media, though, tests his patience. “Keeping up with social media,” he admits, “it’s powerful for reaching people but hard to manage daily.”
South Padre’s music scene fuels his fire. “It’s very important—it shows the talent around,” he says, eager to collaborate. Balancing music and family requires careful planning. “By communicating with my wife and planning ahead,” he explains. “Busy seasons focus on music, slower seasons on family and personal life.”
One moment stands out: opening for Creedence Clearwater Revisited in Toluca, Mexico, in 2019. With a new trio and one rehearsal, he delivered mostly originals to 5,000 people. “We nailed it, played mostly originals, and the 5,000-person crowd asked for an encore,” he recalls. “A very special memory.”
Catch McKane this fall at Margaritaville on Thursdays for his Acoustic Special and Fridays for a Rock Blues Special with the Devilla Band. On Mondays, he brings the Acoustic Special to Bar Louie. With Cantina Blues gaining momentum, he’s lighting up South Padre’s music scene, inviting all to join the ride.
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