Kevin Brooks (bodhran) was born in Washington Heights in northern Manhattan in 1944 and, other than 3 years in the military, has lived in New York City for his entire life. He was one of seven children, in an Irish American household where religion, education, sports and music, in that order, were critical elements of growing up. He worked his way through Manhattan College, graduating in 1966, and then spent three years in the Marine Corps including a year in Vietnam. After leaving active duty, he began a 41-year career as an insurance salesman, remaining in the Marine Corps Reserves until retiring as a Colonel in 1992.

Kevin's wife of 44 years, Ginny, is also involved in Irish music and plays the pennywhistle with the Irish Arts Center Band in addition to the Tuesday night session at Dempsey's. They have three children, Kerry, Kieran and Michael, and have lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn since 1970.