About Us
Who we are
The Jury is a dynamic blues rock band from the Twin Cities, dedicated to delivering one verdict: music that makes you move. Our high-energy performances feature an exciting blend of danceable covers and original songs that get crowds on their feet.
Bassist Brad Beneke and keyboardist Gary Johnson worked for three years to create a band centered on danceable music that truly matters. They enlisted vocalist and songwriter K.A. Mick, known for his talent in crafting original material across blues, rock, and country. The lineup was completed with lead guitarist Kelly Coyle and drummer Scott Brundieck. The Jury made its debut in 2025 with a collection of original songs and thoughtfully chosen covers that deserve more recognition.
The Musicians
K.A. Mick
Lead Vocals & Songwriting
K.A. Mick is an American musician, songwriter, playwright, poet, essayist, and teacher whose work blends lyrical storytelling with social insight and musical range. As the frontman of his blues rock band, Mick has crafted an array of danceable covers and original songs over his impressive 25-year career.
Mick has published dozens of original songs that span traditional blues, folk, Americana, and country, in addition to blues-rock, rock, and jazz. His solo album, Requiem for the Masters of Mankind, is available on major streaming platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora.
Beginning his musical journey in high school, Mick sang in a rock band alongside his good friend Joe Hadar. This enduring musical partnership has continued through special performances over the decades. Eight years ago, Mick founded The Jury, a blues rock band that has evolved through various lineups into a powerful poetic force renowned for its emotionally charged performances and original material.
Mick's songs have garnered notable airplay and features on NPR, Iowa Public Radio (IPR), KFMG Radio Live, Five Alive (ABC Morning Show), and Grinnell College Today College Radio. His singles, including
Brad Beneke
Brad started his first band at 15 with The Brymstones, where he played keyboards. In his 20s, he became a full-time professional with the regional blues rock band Pope County as lead guitarist. He moved to L.A., living in San Pedro and performing with various cover and original songs bands that included danceable covers, ranging from impromptu performances in parks to gigs at the world famous Troubadour. Back in Minnesota, he joined forces with Gary Johnson to build The Jury.
Kelly Coyle
Lead Guitar
Kelly has played with a bunch of people since moving to Mankato a decade ago and even more before that. He has a deep passion for creating music, especially with electronic live looping—a technique he embraced as soon as the equipment became available in the 90s. This focus on innovative sound creation primarily remained private until the pandemic, when he launched a project to record an improvisation a day, producing videos for many of these and sharing them on YouTube. Throughout his career, Kelly has collaborated with various ensembles, including Billy Curmano's New X Art Ensemble and the Endtime Quartet. He also enjoyed a long stint with Dick Kimmel, performed original songs in a country music trio called the Donner Party, and worked with singer-songwriter Angie Anderson. Additionally, he was involved in the traditional jazz band Sarah and the Houligans, as well as a blues rock band known for their danceable covers and unique contributions to the local music scene.
Gary Johnson
Keys & Guitar
Gary Johnson plays keyboards and second guitar in addition to singing much of the harmony and occasionally stepping in as lead vocalist. After a life of working in advertising, now retired, he is excited to be back in the game with a talented crew called The Jury. Gary got his first Sears Silvertone guitar in 1960 at age 11 and quickly learned to play "I Walk The Line" by Johnny Cash. Since then, he has honed his skills playing a range of genres from folk to jazz, ultimately settling into rock. For 30 years, he was a member of a classic rock band that performed danceable covers from The Animals to The Zombies, with a healthy mix of Beatles songs. Now with The Jury, he enjoys the opportunity to play original songs by lead singer Mick, along with a vibrant blend of music that incorporates the drive of rock, the sincerity of country, and the warmth of blues, providing a fresh experience from artists not usually heard on the dance floor.
Scott Brundieck
Scott bought his first old, beat-up Ludwig drum set at the age of 13 with money he earned from a paper route. His first official band, Seroyan, won the high school talent show, launching him into a world of playing in various original songs and cover bands across genres like pop, blues, country, rock, and speed metal. Notable collaborations included working with Gaylen Paris & The Critical Mass, Cutthroat, and [Insert Band Name Here], a Glenn Kragness project. After a 20-year hiatus to raise a family, Scott is returning to the music scene with The Jury. He is revitalized by their incredible talent, creativity, and personality, thriving in the blues rock band format. He loves to play danceable covers and original songs that get people moving on the dance floor.