Kansas will kick off their 50th anniversary tour one week from Friday in the city they often credit as the one who made them rock stars--here in the Burgh, at the Benedum Center, with a brand new violinist, Joe Deninzon, who replaces long time violinist David Ragsdale, who left the band for personal reasons.....Deninzon, in addition to playing with lots of bog time rock bands, fronted his own prog rock band "Stratospheerius," and has been called "the Jimi Hendrix of Violin." In announcing his joining Kansas, Denninzon said "I have the deepest respect for Robbie (Steinhardt, original violinist for the band, who passed away last July) and David, and will do my best to honor and build on their musical legacy." Here's more from Denninzon, Kansas drummer Phil Ehart, and more, as we get close to that kick off show here in Pittsburgh next Frida.