His father, an insurance salesman, musician and blues singer, influenced Kees' to pursue a career in music.

[4] As a young teen, he had his first public performance at a local Chesapeake venue called Ralph's with his band the Don Juans.

[2] Continuing to perform with the Don Juans, Kees attended East Bank High School where he met his wife, Diana, and from where he graduated in 1965.

[2] After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force while attending University of Maryland and served in the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968.

[17] Kees has worked with country stars including George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, George Jones, Conway Twitty, Joe Nichols, Diamond Rio, Bryan White, Aaron Tippin, Tammy Wynette, Randy Travis, Mark Wills, and Lorrie Morgan.