Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenaniah Caron.
Hi Kenaniah , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you had told me years ago that an Instagram video would change the course of my career, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
I grew up in San Diego, California, where I spent years playing drums in churches throughout Southern California while also performing with artists around Los Angeles. Those experiences gave me opportunities to grow as a musician, but I always felt there was another level I wanted to reach.
Eventually, I packed up everything I owned and moved to Nashville with my wife and two boys with no touring gig waiting for me—just a belief that if I put myself in the right place and kept working, the right opportunity would come.
Like so many musicians who move to Music City, I started by playing on Broadway in downtown Nashville. For months, I played multiple sets a day, met as many people as I could, and kept sharpening my craft. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me consistency, humility, and the value of showing up every single day.
About three months after moving to Nashville, I received a message on Instagram from the Christian band We Are Messengers asking if I’d be interested in auditioning as their drummer.
What made the story even more incredible was discovering how they found me. I hadn’t submitted an application or been actively networking with the band’s team. Instead, someone I had never met had been watching the drum videos I regularly posted on Instagram. They believed in what they saw enough to recommend me to the band, and that referral ultimately opened the door to an audition.
That moment completely changed my life.
Since then, I’ve had the incredible privilege of touring across the country with We Are Messengers—not only as a drummer, but also serving as Tour Manager. It’s given me the unique opportunity to experience both sides of touring: performing on stage each night while also helping coordinate the countless details that make a national tour possible behind the scenes.
Touring has taught me that the biggest moments in life are often the result of hundreds of small, consistent decisions. Every practice session, every local church service, every Broadway shift, and every drum video I posted online became part of a story I couldn’t see unfolding at the time.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you never know who’s watching. The opportunity that changed my career didn’t come from a formal audition process—it came because I kept creating, kept improving, and kept sharing my work even when it felt like nobody was paying attention.
Today, I still carry that mindset with me. Whether I’m behind the drum kit or helping lead a tour, I want to be known as someone who’s prepared, dependable, and committed to serving people well. Music has taken me places I never imagined, introduced me to lifelong friends, and reminded me that sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with simply saying yes to the next step.
Looking back, moving from San Diego to Nashville was one of the biggest leaps of faith I’ve ever taken. It wasn’t easy, and there were plenty of unknowns along the way. But that journey reinforced something I believe deeply: faithfulness in the small things often leads to opportunities you could never have planned yourself. God is good!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Moving to Nashville was exciting, but it was also humbling. I didn’t move here with a tour lined up. I spent months playing on Broadway, wondering if I had made the right decision. Every day I watched incredibly talented musicians chasing the same dream. There were moments when I questioned whether my opportunity would ever come. Looking back, those months taught me patience, consistency, and the importance of treating every performance as if it mattered—because it did!
I had no idea that posting drum videos online would lead to my biggest opportunity. For months, I was simply documenting my playing because I loved it. It turned out someone I’d never met was watching those videos and believed in me enough to recommend me. That experience completely changed how I think about consistency—you never know who’s paying attention.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, I have had the privilege of serving Toby Mac, Casting Crowns, Ben Fuller, Leanna Crawford, Sidewalk Prophets, David Leonard, Cade Thompson, Eli Gable, Taylor Holder and many more. Currently, I operate as both the drummer and Tour Manager for We Are Messengers. Wearing both hats has given me a unique perspective on the touring industry. On stage, I’m focused on creating an unforgettable experience through music. Off stage, I’m responsible for making sure every detail behind the scenes comes together so the artists, crew, and audience have the best experience possible.
I specialize in tour management, logistics, live performance, and studio sessions. What I enjoy most is creating order in an environment that can often feel chaotic. Touring is a constant exercise in problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork, and I love the challenge of making everything run seamlessly while helping people perform at their best.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific venue, tour, or accomplishment—it’s the trust that’s been placed in me. Being asked to lead both on and off the stage is something I never take for granted. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the people I work alongside count on me, whether it’s to keep a show running smoothly or to help create a memorable performance for thousands of people each night.
I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely love serving people. Whether I’m loading gear, solving last-minute issues, organizing logistics, or sitting behind the drum kit, I approach every role with the same mindset: no job is beneath me if it helps the team succeed. I’ve learned that the best tours aren’t built around one person—they’re built by people who are willing to do whatever it takes to serve one another.
I’m also a firm believer in consistency. My career exists because I kept showing up, kept practicing, and kept sharing my work, even when it felt like no one was watching. Ironically, it was those small, consistent efforts that led to the opportunity that changed my life. That lesson continues to shape how I approach both music and leadership today.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Without a doubt, I would say consistency. Talent can open doors, but consistency is what keeps them open.
I’m also a firm believer in having a servant’s mindset. In the touring world, no task is too small if it helps the team succeed.
Finally, I try to stay teachable. No matter how much experience I gain, there’s always something new to learn from other musicians, crew members, and leaders. Being willing to listen, adapt, and keep improving has been one of the biggest factors in both my personal and professional growth.
Pricing:
- Single Drum Lesson – $59.99
- 3 Drum Lessons – $179.99
- 4 Drum Lessons – $239.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.realkenaniah.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenaniah
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@realkenaniah
