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Kingsport Today
By the People, for the People
Veteran Drummer Brian Seiler Keeps the Beat in Kingsport Music Scene
Seiler balances blues-infused rock with classic yacht rock as part of two local bands
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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Brian Seiler is a veteran drummer who has been a fixture in the Kingsport, Tennessee music scene for decades. After taking a break from music for about 20 years to focus on his career in chemistry, Seiler has ramped up his musical activity in retirement, playing in two local bands - the blues-rock group The Blues Drivers and the acoustic cover trio Buffalo Down.
Why it matters
Seiler's story highlights the resilience and passion of local musicians who keep the live music scene alive, even through breaks and changes in their careers. His versatility in playing both blues-influenced rock and classic yacht rock covers showcases the diversity of the regional music community.
The details
Seiler first got involved in music as a teenager in Iowa during the British Invasion era, playing in school bands and then at local teen dances. He pursued music seriously in his 20s, playing in several Iowa-based bands before putting music on the back burner to focus on his chemistry career. After moving to Kingsport, Tennessee in 1987 and working at Eastman for nearly 30 years, Seiler has re-emerged as an active musician, playing with groups like Blues Junction, the Hoo Doos, the Annie Robinette Band, and more. Since retiring in 2016, he's ramped up his musical activity, currently performing with the blues-rock band The Blues Drivers and the acoustic cover trio Buffalo Down.
- Seiler first got involved in music as a teenager in Iowa in the mid-1960s.
- He took a break from music for about 20 years in the 1980s and 1990s to focus on his chemistry career.
- Seiler moved to Kingsport, Tennessee in 1987 and worked at Eastman for nearly 30 years.
- Since retiring in 2016, Seiler has re-emerged as an active musician in the Kingsport music scene.
The players
Brian Seiler
A veteran drummer who has been a fixture in the Kingsport, Tennessee music scene for decades.
The Blues Drivers
A blues-rock band that Seiler currently performs with.
Buffalo Down
An acoustic cover trio that Seiler is part of, featuring classic and yacht rock tunes.
What they’re saying
“It's all about the feeling experienced when the band locks-together around a song to deliver a product that none of us could individually produce. That's very satisfying, but of course a positive audience reaction is key to feeding energy to a band. It's easy to get addicted to that feeling!”
— Brian Seiler (timesnews.net)
The takeaway
Seiler's story shows how a lifelong passion for music can be rekindled, even after taking a long break to focus on other priorities. His versatility in playing both blues-infused rock and classic covers demonstrates the depth and diversity of the local music scene in Kingsport, Tennessee.
