After college, Woodring moved to Chicago, Illinois, with musicians Jan James and Craig Calvert as the percussive force behind the blues/rock band Jewel Fetish.

Woodring performed briefly with John Mellencamp in 1996, a project which led him to begin touring and recording for the next eight years with country music star Deana Carter.

In October 2007, Woodring began a stint as the drummer for the Chicago production of the hit musical Jersey Boys.

Kyle performed as a drummer with the following artists: Woodring died on September 8, 2009, at his home in Lockport, IL as the result of suicide.

On September 10, 2009 Dennis DeYoung posted a picture of Woodring on his website with a message that read 'A gathering of angels appeared above my head.'

Memorial services were held for Woodring in late September, 2009 in East Lansing, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois.

Those in attendance ranged from Kyle's childhood friends to many of the musicians he worked with over the years, including Dennis DeYoung, Robbie Fulks, Joan Hammel, Jan James, and others.

In December 2009 his high school classmates established a fund in Woodring's name, which was later used to commission a composition by American composer Brian Balmages.