Biography

Dave Kane, born January 26, 1948, is a performer, comedian, published author, and radio talk show host beloved by New Englanders for 62 years. Dave was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and currently still makes his home in the Ocean State.

Nicknamed "The Pitbull of comedy" in the 1980s during his time as a stand-up comedian, Dave is known for his passionate stances on social issues, urging people to stand up for what they believe in and to take action in the face of injustice. One of Dave's favorite phrases is the well known quote, often attributed to Irish philosopher Edmund Burke, "All that is necessary for evil to exist is for good people to do nothing."

Dave Kane has been involved in the field of radio for 62 years, beginning in 1962, when he was 14 years old. His first radio-related job was at Pawtucket's WPAW where he acted as an intern for radio legend Chuck Stevens (an inductee into the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame). Dave's first paying radio job at the now defunct WKFD in North Kingstown lasted for just one day.

His involvement in talk radio began in the early 1970s when he worked as a producer for WJAR radio and filled in for the other hosts. In 1981 Dave joined WARA in Attleboro, Massachusetts and eventually became station manager. From that point forward, Dave carved a successful niche in Rhode Island talk radio, spending time at various stations throughout the region, including WPRO and WHJJ, the two of largest and most powerful talk stations in the state.

In 2005, Dave joined WNRI in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, becoming a weekday host in the 10am to 12pm time slot. Dave parted ways with the station in 2009. Starting in January of 2014, Dave returned to the airwaves as a weekend host on WARA Saturday mornings. His show Kane and Company can currently be heard in the 9am-12pm time slot (it is available to hear streaming online live via the station's website).

Dave is well-known regionally for his one-man show "Misgivings", which features the character of Father Misgivings, an Irish Catholic priest. In the performance, which features "belly laughs, blessings, blarney and Bingo," Father Misgivings tells stories and relates his views about the idiosyncrasies of growing up and living life as a Roman Catholic. Dave performs the show multiple times each year, usually in the form of a dinner theater, in venues throughout New England.

Dave's fundraising and charity efforts include Misgivings (which is available as a fundraiser), and Just for Funds (a concept in which the venue and entertainment are provided for fundraising organizations). Dave also created Christmas is For Kids. Each year, this charity provides gifts to an average of 800 to 1,000 children in need each Christmas. This program started in 1983 and is supported by the Greater Attleboro Area Council for Children.

At age 18, Dave's son, Nicholas O'Neill, was the youngest victim of The Station nightclub fire of 2003 in which 100 people lost their lives. In the wake of this tragedy, Dave became a strong proponent of fire safety awareness and the enforcement of strict laws for the administration of fire safety inspections on public buildings. Dave was publicly opposed to Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch's handling of the criminal investigations of those involved in negligence leading to the fire.

In 2006, Dave authored his first published book, 41 Signs of Hope. In the book, Dave shares anecdotes of synchronistic, and at times, seemingly supernatural occurrences revolving around the number 41, which Dave and his family believe to be communications from the spirit of his son Nicholas. Dave also has a live presentation based upon the book which is available for booking for organizations (click here for more information). He also appears prominently in the movie 41 (a documentary about Nick's life and legacy produced in 2007).