Whiteland native Kenny Wilkerson from the band Nova Rex will host a program on Saturday at the Clark Pleasant branch of the Johnson County Public Library talking about his recently released cookbook, “Rockin’ Recipes for Autism.”SUBMITTED PHOTO
Fans of hard rock and heavy metal know that big names such as Phil Soussan, Frankie Banali and Rikki Rockett can cook on stage, performing to sold-out crowds with groups like Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot and Poison.
Who knew they could cook in the kitchen as well?
Inside the newly released cookbook, “Rockin’ Recipes for Autism,” people can try their hand at Soussan’s Mediterranean pan-seared branzino with anise zucchini and mini grains, Rockett’s black bean burger sliders with sriracha aioli or Banali’s pumpkin ravioli with gorgonzola sauce di francesco.
And while each recipe yields a delicious dish, the cause it raises money leaves an even better taste in your mouth.
“Food and music are the two things that bring people together,” said Kenny Wilkerson, the book’s author and a Whiteland native. “This book brings people together in the kitchen and unites us in a cause to bring music to autistic children. Every book that is sold brings music to a child with autism and studies have proven that music can give children on the spectrum a voice.”
Wilkerson is the driving force behind “Rockin’ Recipes for Autism,” a cookbook featuring recipes from performers across the rock ‘n’ roll world. Proceeds from the book support We Rock for Autism, a nonprofit focused on using music therapy to raise awareness and encourage the acceptance of individuals and families that have been affected by autism.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind book and goes to a great cause,” he said.
Wilkerson will be back in his hometown from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday for a special event at the Clark Pleasant branch of the Johnson County Public Library, signing copies of the book, speaking about the journey to create it and sharing tidbits from nearly 40 years of experiences in the rock world.
”I’ve never really done anything like that. I’ve done signings at other places, but never a library,” he said. “I’m going to go in, do a little spiel about why I created the book and talk a little bit about autism, and do a Q&A and stuff.”
Wilkerson graduated from Whiteland Community High School in 1985. Music at that time was leaving behind the new wave and post-punk sounds that dominated the early part of the decade, ceding to something more fun and carefree — Wilkerson was hooked.
Nova Rex spent much of the mid-1980s and 1990s in the thick of the hair metal scene that birthed Mötley Crüe, L.A. Guns and Guns N’ Roses.
They had a following in Florida and Los Angeles — both epicenters of the movement — but became local celebrities after returning to Indianapolis.
Their second concert upon returning to Indiana was with Cheap Trick downtown, playing in front of 20,000 people. They played sold-out shows at their home base, the Vogue Theater in Broad Ripple, and drew tens of thousands of people to concerts throughout the city.
Their memorabilia is included in collections at the Smithsonian, Hard Rock Cafes and the Johnson County Museum of History. Last year, the Indiana State Museum included Wilkerson’s Nova Rex jacket in its collection.
So the past few years have been a wild ride for Wilkerson. A tongue-in-cheek resurgence in the popularity of ’80s-style hair metal has led fans to rediscover Nova Rex. They’ve been featured in a pair of documentaries, “It Ain’t Easy Being Cheesy,” that was featured on Netflix, then in its follow-up, “Nova Rex: Ain’t Easy Staying Cheesy, which is streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video and Tubi.
Among it all, Wilkerson has been working for years to get “Rockin’ Recipes for Autism” compiled and released. Autism awareness is a subject he cares deeply about;
His son, Gunnar, is on the autism spectrum, having been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Though his son is high functioning, Wilkerson understands how the condition can impact families at all levels. In the dedication to the book, he writes about how perplexing it was when Gunnar seemed to be behind developmentally as a child, would have outbursts in school and had trouble socializing. When doctor’s diagnosed Gunnar with Asperger syndrome, it presented a completely new challenge.
“I was happy we had an answer, but there was also grief, exhaustion, anger, hopelessness, anxiety and fear that accompany this condition,” Wilkerson wrote in the dedication. “I wondered how life would be for him, for me and for the family. I had my work cut out for me. I had to learn about the autism spectrum and Asperger.”
The idea for a cookbook came while Wilkerson was hosting a radio show in his home in Florida. During the run of his show, he would often have musicians and rockers on as guests.
He was talking with one guest, who mentioned he had a gumbo recipe that his grandmother passed down, so he asked for the recipe from him. Over and over, Wilkerson would mention the recipe to other guests and musical friends, and they’d get excited with their own dishes and recipes they wanted to give him. At first, he just kept them for his own personal use, but he kept gaining more and more.
Armed with a collection of rip-roaring recipes, Wilkerson reached out to We Rock for Autism about doing a cookbook to help raise funds. The result is “Rockin’ Recipes for Autism.”
“It had never been done, and thought, what a great platform. I did it because I can,” he said.
Though he no longer lives in Whiteland anymore, Wilkerson returns regularly. The opportunity to meet with fans and friends at the Clark Pleasant branch was one he couldn’t pass up.
“I’m definitely excited to get back up there,” he said.
IF YOU GO
“Rockin’ Recipes for Autism: An Afternoon with Kenny Wilkerson of Nova Rex”
What: A program featuring Wilkerson, a Whiteland native, discussing his music career with Nova Rex and the inspiration behind “Rockin’ Recipes for Autism,” a cookbook compiled using recipes from a variety of heavy metal stars, with sales of the book supporting autism awareness and programs.
When: 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Clark Pleasant branch of the Johnson County Public Library, 350 Clearwater Blvd., Whiteland
Cost: Free and open to the public
