Singer/Songwriter Kirk McFee

| Come Visit My Shop On CafePress |

Behind Bars: Kirk McFee performs behind the bar at Reflections
A series on local entertainers at local haunts..

“I guess I’m probably the only rock musician that gets emails from nuns,” jokes singer/songwriter Kirk McFee, while tending bar at Reflections, 1000 N. Collier Blvd.

McFee, whose mother was a nun before she married, attended the same small, private Catholic college his mom went to. “My teachers knew my mom, and knew me, since I was a baby,” McFee says. “We still keep in touch.”

His song, “Why My Mom Went to Church,” is McFee’s most popular song, and is the story of his life. McFee went to college, got a corporate job, then left it all to become a rock musician. “It took me half an hour to write,” says McFee. “It’s about everything that drives my mom crazy about me being a musician. She tells people, she prayed and prayed for a priest, and got a rock star.”

McFee moved to Marco Island in 2008 from Taylor, Mich., and plays at Reflections on weekends. Recently, he’s been tending bar there, too.

McPaschal's Festival - September 2010

Well the date isn't set yet as I try to figure out when I can make a visit to my home state of Michigan. September has always been the time for the benefit called “McPaschal's Festival.” This year will be the 4th annual event and is modeled after the St. Paschal's Festival in my hometown of Taylor. St. Paschal's Festival was always held the weekend after Labor Day in September and we've held “McPaschal's” on the Saturday after Labor Day for the last three years. The church closed in the fall of 2007 ending the long run of the annual Fall Festival on the church grounds. The Festival has provided me with so many memories during my youth. Old friends would reunite, have a great time, all the while raising money to benefit the church.

The festival was very close to me and I didn't want the memory to die. So with my friends Chris and Dana Maffesoli, we planned the 1st Annual “McPaschal's Festival” in 2007. It was a great success and the bringing of a tradition. For a $10 donation (kids were free), we had games and a moonwalk, plenty of food, beer/wine/pop (soda for all you non-Michiganders), polka music, my dad on the accordion featured as “Jerry McFee's 11 Magical Minutes” and plenty more activities to resemble St. Paschal's Festival on a smaller scale. Of course, I played some tunes too!

The event was held at my house in Southgate, MI.

All proceeds have been donated to local charities which include: Helping pay for the 70th Anniversary Party for the Council of Catholic Women which was held in Detroit. The Council raised over $3,000 at that party and proceeds went on to help VA Projects (American Veterans) and the poor. $100 from “McPaschal's” went towards a party to honor volunteers for the Downriver/Southland Council of Catholic Women for all the work they have done for VA Projects and Operation Layette. Operation Layette is a program that makes and donates layettes for needy mothers and their babies. In 2009, Operation Layette donated 510 layettes valued at $70 each. “McPaschal's” was a part of that effort!

All in all, “McPaschal's Festival” was started to keep the spirit of St. Paschal's alive. The first 3 years have been a lot of fun and we've been able to donate some money to charity. I look forward to seeing everyone at “McPaschal's 4!” Thank you everyone for all of your hard work and support!