After nearly a decade of touring with Ronnie, Ian Tyson called Hawkins and told him he needed a bass player in New York City within the next day or two. Ronnie recommended Kalmusky, who then got on a plane and flew to New York City. He joined Ian and Sylvia and helped in forming the band Great Speckled Bird. The band had a top-10 song, "Trucker's Cafe", on the Canadian Country charts and was also the house band for the CFTO television show, Nashville North. After one season and some success the station renamed the show, The Ian Tyson Show which Kenny made several appearances on.