When he’s not dealing with patients’ teeth, Oak Lawn dentist Kenneth Yerkes might be found playing the guitar, clarinet, saxophone, piano, violin or cello.
It could be an inherited skill set, as Yerkes and his six siblings were raised by a plumber who played the violin and a stay-at-home mom who played piano. Yerkes also writes songs and has secured copyrights for his tribute to the Cubs, “I’m a Cubbie Today,” and his ode to his wife Mary Angela, “Angel My Love.”
Yerkes, 63, was slated to perform guitar and sing for the second time in Orland Township’s Senior American Idol competition in late April, but due tot he COVID-19 pandemic the event has been rescheduled for Aug. 6.
That seems like a long way off, but Yerkes wouldn’t think of backing out. “The reason I got into this is I think I do have some musical talent, but it’s also for a good cause,” he said.
The Idol competition and two other senior events sponsored by the Township, Dancing with the Stars and The Dating Game, typically raise about $4,000 annually for a college scholarship fund.
Last year, proceeds were divided to provide scholarships for 22 students within the township, according to Marie Ryan, senior services coordinator for Orland Township.
“It’s such a good cause because it recognizes the hard work of the students, but it’s also fun to see the seniors perform,” she said. “They all want to win, and it takes a lot of courage to get up there, but they also support each other. That’s also a great thing to see.”
Yerkes competed against 10 other performers. He also bought two tables of 10 for friends and relatives to attend the competition at Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Park.
“We actually give them extra points in the competition for every table of 10 they manage to bring in, so it’s more than just a talent show,” Ryan said. “They know they’re doing something to support the young people in the community.”
Yerkes didn’t make it to the final round of the competition, but he’s looking forward to competing again this year. He also considers himself a community booster and supporter of good causes. He donates free dentistry to disadvantaged people through the Chicago Dental Society Foundation, belongs to Knights of Columbus and volunteers at his church’s mini-food pantry.
Before the pandemic, Yerkes often sang karaoke at local pubs and restaurants.
“It gave me the chance to practice. For me, music is a hobby,” he said. “It’s relaxing, and I love performing.”
In August 2016, at age 60, he started a band called Dr. Y and The Y Nuts, identifying himself as Dr. Y, the lead singer. The group plays a wide range of oldies from the 1950s through the 1990s, including songs from Van Morrison, Credence Clearwater Revival, the Beatles, the Monkees and Eric Clapton. More recent works from Coldplay and Josh Groban are mixed in.
“My brothers all went into the family plumbing business and I went into healthcare,” Yerkes said. “They’re always together, I thought this might be a way to connect with them. Pete was the only one who was interested. He and I are the nucleus of the band.”
“I’m a patient of Dr. Yerkes,” said Andrea Zumhagen, a mother of six who is trained in classical music and plays piano and flute. “He asked me to join his band after hearing me sing a lullaby to my twins.'”
Zumhagen performs as lead female vocalist and operates AZ Music Studio out of her home in Oak Lawn. “Performing with the band has helped me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Band members tell me, ‘You need to sing less ‘princess,’ more grungy!'”
Joe Starita, who recently took the reins of Rossi Music in Oak Lawn, also joined The Y Nuts.
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“I was originally hired as a jobber for two shows, but I fell in love with the group,” said the guitarist. “I was absolutely floored by his charisma and positive attitude. I mean, he’s 11 feet tall, this gigantic man and very political. He thrusts out his big hand and starts right in, ‘Kenneth Yerkes. Dentist, Republican. Family man.'”
In 2018, Yerkes ran for 3rd district U.S. representative as a write-in candidate, with hopes of displacing Republican neo-Nazi and holocaust denier Arthur Jones. He was unsuccessful, but Yerkes has no regrets, and he wasn’t deterred by his own lack of experience. “You have to start somewhere with the talents you have,” he said. “You have to just go for it.”
The same could be said for Yerkes approach to starting his band.
“Within hours of getting together with his brother, they’re getting instruments,” Starita said. “Days later they’re assembling a band. And before they’ve even practiced every song, he’s already booking shows!”
Starita describes Yerkes musical talent as, “not that bad, and sometimes magnificent. You should see him do Mick Jagger. I mean he’s covered in sweat!”
But then occasionally, according to Starita, Yerkes is neither of those things, “but always sincere and enthusiastic.”
“You know, at first people in the audience are silently judging, ‘But this band is terrible!’,” Starita said. “And then little by little a weird dynamic sets in. Through sheer tyranny of will, the band comes together, the audience comes on board. They love him!”
“We’re hoping we can still play (some) venues before the end of the year,” Yerkes said.
The Y Nuts band members will have to wait to practice and perform together. “If we can’t play to an audience, we may start doing online concerts,” Yerkes said.
Meanwhile, he sojourns on as a dentist, opening his practice only to perform emergency dentistry. For making sure all is safe at his office on the 5000 block of 95th Street, he takes along his 10-year-old Labrador retriever, Mandy.
To hear Dr. Y, the singing dentist, visit www.theynuts.com.
Susan DeGrane is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.