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Member Profiles
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Jim Tucci Bio
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Profile, by Zion Blackhand
This letter is an introductory to my project known as “Harps for Heroes”. I will give you a small summary of my life and then explain my project.
I was born near the cotton fields of E. Virginia., off the outskirts of Hampton Va. I remember many trips through the country side going to places like Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown battle fields and the Marine’s Museum. I remember growing up in the surrounding woods, BB gun in hand, living off the land camping and fishing in the small bay near my house.
I was also brought up in a military family. My father serving 30 years from the mid forties to the early seventies. I grew up military orientated. I spent time going to the shipyards with my father and made friends with a lot of military personnel.
When I finally finished high school my father went back to the mid west and I followed. I lived in farm country. That is where I was really introduced to the blues. I shared a trailer with a friend who put a BB King album on the stereo and from then on I was hooked. From Johnny Lee Hooker to Paul Butterfield, I got my hands on just about every blues album I could. I still have them today. Wouldn’t change a thing.
I had a harmonica in my pocket since I was 17, leaning how to play while working second shift at a paper stationary company, playing to the systems of different machinery. I went on to be an auto restorer, firefighter and an iron worker. Having my own shop fighting fires and harping, what could be better. I finally made something of myself and considered myself a man. Then one day it all ended. On a heavy construction job a steel truss weighing in at 2000 lbs. dropped on me from 25 feet. It crushed my chest, snapped off two ribs and broke my back in 2 places. Paralyzed from the chest down, I was left with two arms and a head. Forty years of my life just got washed away.
I moved to Fl. For the second time. The first was in W. Palm but I knew I couldn’t go back there again. I put my finger on the map and came up with Fellsmere. Called back to my soul, I brought out my harmonicas and started bar hoping. It was a struggle but I stuck with it and after 8 years, blood sweat and tears I made a name for myself. I deal a lot with vets and bikers and just about anyone who will listen.
After the war, a seed was planted in my head. If I could do so much with just a small instrument maybe it would help someone in a land far from home and be easy enough to carry and not weigh them down. I found I could start my own non profit foundation, called, “Harps for Heroes” Zion Blackhand, Inc. I’ve done a lot of sitting in with some of the top blues bands in the states. Can’t even name them all. I raised enough money to make a deal with Honer Harmonica Co. of W. Va. I spent money of my own and cut a CD, “ Trial by Fire”, with the help of some good musicians and 18 mos. of hard work. Between doing small benefits and CD sales, I am working on the 2nd 1000 harmonicas, these to be sent to Afghanistan. 1000 have already gone to Iraq. This is about passing on the love of music which even though physically broken, is my way of doing something productive. All I ask is just a little support from the community in fulfilling this dream and passing the love on to those who need it the most, those who are giving their lives to see that we try to live in a better world, free of tyranny and oppression. Visit the VA Hospital in Tampa one day and you will see the price paid for freedom.
Not much more to say now, I’m out of energy. All I ask is with a little help my dream of helping…. is through “Harps for Heroes”. Pass the love……
Sincerely and with respect, Zion Blackhand
ZB/pg
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Gregg Jackson and the Mojo Band - Blues &
Motown
Mojo has been playing on the Treasure Coast for 6 years
now. Although we have the occasional travel gig, we like to stay local, that's
where our fans are. Come check us out every Sunday at Crawdaddy's in Jensen
Beach, 6-10pm.
Lead Vocals - Gregg Jackson. Gregg has seen a lot in his
life. He's played with tons of artists like Otis Redding, Ike & Tina, and
many more. Played in every situation from big Vegas shows, Boston clubs, and now
all over Florida. One of the last true "entertainers", he not only has a soulful
voice but also gets the crowd going like I've never seen.
Bass Guitar -
Harry Burns. Harry is truly the "Bottom End". He keep the band rock solid with
his bass. A man of many styles, he brings his background of blues, funk, rock,
and even punk to the stage keeping this power trio going.
Guitar -
Stevie B. I never liked talking about myself, but here you go. I've been playing
in the area for over 10 years now, since my days with Harry and Big Daddy (Tommy
D). I always loved the blues and find this situation a fun mix of a Blues trio
and a Motown front man. Every gig is different, and we dig it.
Drums -
Tim Kamak. The newest Mojo member. Tim has been with us for 8 months now we're
having a blast. Another guy that has many styles under his belt and lets us
grow as a band. It's always nice to have a fresh perspective on what you're
doing and Tim brings a lot to the table.
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Stoney and The House Rockers
Out in the front, the band features Stoney, who sings the lead vocals and plays all harmonicas. A few years back, he relocated to central Florida from the Boston area, where he worked with some of the area’s top Rock and Blues bands and appeared on several recordings. During the 80s and 90s, while living in New England, his band Trapper toured with some of the greats, such as Aerosmith, Molly Hatchett, Alvin Lee, Pat Travers, James Montgomery, Rick Derringer, and Edgar Winter to name just a few.
In the year 2001 he moved south. After getting a handle on the Central Florida music scene, he helped form the band, “Gatorblues”. During the year and a half he fronted that band they were known as one of the best rocking high energy blues bands on the Florida Space Coast. Stoney released a critically acclaimed CD while with them, titled “Faces Made For Radio” which sold very well and continued to catapult him into the local spotlight.
It was then that he realized he wanted to form a blues package in the styles of William Clarke, Elvis, the Motown funk and R&B bands, Tommy Castro, and The J Geils Band… “Stoney and The House Rockers” was born.
Searching the Central Florida area, Stoney found Eric Lee Webb to play guitars and sing some lead and backup vocals. Eric Lee is well known throughout Florida for his remarkable talents and showmanship. His tasty guitar work speaks for itself. He grew up and honed his Rock, Blues, and Country chops in the city of Detroit before moving to Nashville in 1998. For the next six years, while living in Nashville, Eric Lee starred in many bands, working with Brad Paisley, Mark Chestnut, John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker and other friends that he made along the way. In 2004, when Eric Lee moved to Florida, Stoney was waiting and “The House Rockers” had their new chef in the kitchen.
Stoney approached two other Florida musicians, drummer Don Fournier and bassist Andre Follot. Along with Eric Lee, they immediately became members of “The House Rockers”. Don has a long line of accomplishments. Originally from Rhode Island, he started playing when he was eleven years old. At eighteen he started his recording career at Angus Recording Studios in Framingham Massachusetts. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s, Don’s popular bands were on the New England scene, opening shows for Roomful of Blues, Coco Taylor, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Duke Robillard, among others. For many years leading up to his current gig with “The House Rockers” he has been on numerous recordings, and more recently played the drums with cats like Big Bill Morganfield and George Terry. He has stamped his style on this band, his vocal work adds a great deal, and he is an integral part of this blues machine.
Bass guitarist Andre Follot, a long time friend of Stoney, was just leaving the “Highway 41” band when he hooked up with Stoney and the boys in 2004. His cool and funky playing style is what puts the heat in “The House Rockers” kitchen… Andre got his start where he grew up, in the Washington, DC area. By the late ‘80s, Andre was touring the major club/concert circuit throughout the DC area with his nationally renowned band, “Minds I”. Their 2nd LP, “A House Defiled” climbed the charts, and for a decade, Andre was at the top of the game throughout the Capitol music scene. He works closely with Don, driving the band, and they are considered one of the tightest and brightest rhythm sections around.
Keyboard player Mark Docherty grew up and lived in Chicago most of his life. His long list of accomplishments are very well known back home in the Midwest. His work on the band’s latest CD, Cruisin’ For A Bluesin’ has been acclaimed by Florida blues guru, “The Blewzzman” - Peter Lauro, as superb. Although he only plays with the band occasionally these days, “Doc” is a fine addition to the band, and he performs with the band when he can…
“Stoney and The House Rockers” have been featured at major blues festivals and concerts throughout Florida and the southeast. Their latest CD, “Cruisin’ For A Bluesin’” was released in December of 2007, and was sold out in 7 months. Discmakers shipped the next batch in September, and it is selling quickly at shows and on CDBaby.com. This band is guaranteed to get you on your feet and keep you there with some of the best blues and funk you’ll find anywhere. “You’re gonna feel the heat…”
As Stoney always says, “It’s Showtime Baby!!!”
www.StoneyAndTheHouseRockers.com
Darrell Raines and George Caldwell
Darrell Raines and George Caldwell have been making music together since their college days at Miami-Dade Community College in the 1980's. They first teamed up performing in Gospel & Jazz shows. They then toured together in Europe with The Joey Gilmore Blues Band. Darrell & George lost touch for a few years in the 90's, but in 2003 George called Darrell about a full time opening in the Joey Gilmore Band. The band jelled and in January, 2005 they were a finalist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. The following year the band was the winner of the IBC with Darrell on lead guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals, and George on bass. In the same 2006 IBC competition, Darrell Raines was nominated for the prestigious Albert King Award. Both Darrell & George toured the US with Mr Gilmore through the summer of 2006. In August of 2006 the Darrell Raines Band was formed which features Darrell on guitars, vocals & keyboards, and George on bass and backing vocals. The band released their debut CD on Bluzpik Rekerdz in February, 2008. It received great reviews in both Blues Revue and Living Blues. The sound leans towards Blues Rock with a little Miami Soul and Mississippi Delta Blues mixed in for good measure. Darrell & George continue to steadily perform in South Florida and beyond in The Darrell Raines Band and as The Darrell & George Duo.
Ari Mendes Ari Mendes was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he worked as a studio and live performance musician with many top artists. He also produced many syndicated TV shows soundtracks and in 1989 was awarded the "Sharp Award", considered to be the Brazilian Grammy. He moved to Boston in 1989, where he built his first studio. In 2005 Ari Mendes moved to Port St Lucie, Florida, and built a state of the art recording studio, where he works as a producer/arranger /musician/engineer. He's an accomplished guitar, percussion and bass player, ranging from Jazz, Latin, Rock and Classical, and a recording, mixing and mastering studio engineer. He’s already very active on the Florida’s cultural scene, having played at prestigious venues such as the Mar-a-Lago Club, the Breakers Hotel, Tradition and City Place, and Jazz festivals such as the Riverwalk Jazz, Riviera Beach Jazz and Blues Festival, Fort Pierce Mardi Grass, just to name a few. He's also a member and an audio recording article writer for the The Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast.
Ari Mendes
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Carol Brady (formerly Carol Smith) profile (or sort of a profile):
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LYNN GRIFFITHLynn Griffith was born in that most musical of cities, New Orleans. While no member of his family tree has ever demonstrated any musical talent, his parents were big music fans, and music was always playing in the house, mostly jazz records, big band, vocalists and folk music. Lynn began to show musical ability on guitar and piano at the age of ten. He switched to bass at age 12 and played in the blues band Steal Blue in the early part of high school. During this time, Lynn also added flute, harp and fiddle to his band’s performances. Later in high school he switched to jazz, playing both upright and electric bass. Among the local musicians he jammed with Randy Bernsen who would later have a stint with Blood, Sweat and Tears. He also jammed several times with Jaco Pastorius, who became the bassist for Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, and others. Lynn gave up performing music regularly for over 20 years, concentrating on his career instead. He began playing again in earnest in 2000, regaining his chops and adding mandolin and accordion to his arsenal. He played with the acoustic rock group Box Of Rocks for 4-1/2 years until he left at the end of April 2006. He has played for about two years with Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling Gamblers, performing on banjo and vocals. The band plays very old folk songs going back to the 15th century. Lynn has performed on several albums, playing on all but one of the tracks for All For The Story by Berlo. He appears on several songs on Ballad of America, Volume 1 by Matthew Sabatella, and plays on most of the cuts from Ballad Of America Volume 2, scheduled for release in August 2006. Lynn also produced blues man Eric Culberson’s latest album, Live At The Bamboo Room. Lynn enjoys playing blues, rock, folk, country and jazz. He especially loves playing Hammond B3 organ with blues bands. “Music is a tough way to make a living. You need to practice for years or decades in order to become any good and you often need to spend thousands of dollars on a good instrument, only to be paid one or two hundred dollars per man for a gig. However, when you get it right, it’s magic. There is nothing like it.” |
Tina Livio Thanks to my good friend Pete Quigley of “The Shakers,” I had the opportunity to hang with the Allman Brothers more then once. The members of the Allman Brothers Band, including Greg are really good people, very down to earth. They opened the door to me & my friends without hesitation. As far back as I can remember music has been my drive. Till this day I continue to travel for tunes. You only live once, so be sure to do the things you love to do while you have the chance. With the help of the Internet, I continue to check and see who is playing where. Believe me, it’s all been worth my while! Tina L. (Tunes Lovin’ Tina)
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Sanne Esque I’ve been hanging out with musicians since I was 16, but never played or sang till I was 42. I worked in an office, tended bar, owned a pizza parlor for fourteen years, learned how to fly, taught other people to fly, and now I’m flying for the Division of Forestry. I used to be shy, but tending bar cured that.
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Patti Gamble OK, here's my profile, the truth hurts! I was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. My Dad, Charlie Birdsall, was the reason I play vibes. My Dad was an upright bass player, and played with Nelson Riddle, in New York and played the big band era before and after the war. A self taught musician who later read music here in So. Fl., with "The Second Time Around" 17 piece band, he built his own violin in High School, played harmonica and guitar at the same time, was in Ted Mack and Major Boles Ametuer Hour Shows with his brother Jim on banjo, who sang and yodeled, and of course played with me for 35 years. Did I mention he also was a star Nascar race driver, a pilot, owned a manufacturing business, a master builder and who owned 5 Harleys at the same time? You didn't say no to my Dad who would have done better with boys, but had two daughters. My sister, Bernie, (now the Tax Collector in my home town), played ukelelee and guitar at age 4, then it was my turn to pick an instrument, and before I could say the "P" for piano, my Dad thought I should play vibes because he used a trio with vibes, guitar and bass that made good money when he wasn't with the big band or another combo. So he got me thrilled about getting a set of vibes, and I really didn't know what they were!
I played with my family band, which later included my husband, Tom Gamble, on drums for my whole life, it seems. Playing every kind of venue on the Jersey Shore and in Florida.
I tried out and became a member of Local 399, AFof M, Asbury Park, New Jersey at the age of 14, my sister, 16, and retired in good standing upon moving to Fl. in 1977.
In 1977, my father and I started the "Vibratones" and played on the Treasure Coast for over 10 years in the local clubs.
I am a graduate of Ocean County Nursing School, and worked for various Hospitals and Nursing Homes in the area and have done Home Health for various agencies. I have also been Supervisor for Council on Aging in the field, and taught many Nurses Aide classes.
I owned and operated a consignment shop in Jensen Beach with my daughter, Missy, for over 10 years, which led to the job of Executive Sales Rep. for the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce, booked the acts and bands for Pineapple Festival and was an originator of Jammin Jensen.
My son, TC, plays drums and has the band, "Minus One", here on the Treasure Coast.
As Secretary of The Blues Alliance, I am pleased to volunteer my time and be connected and play with some of the finest musicians and friends.
Thankyou for this opportunity. I will play as long as my legs and/or the legs of my vibes will allow. I look up to my Dad in Heaven, every time I pick up the mallets, and I look up to my Mother for always collecting the money! Thanks, Patti Gamble |
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Darrell Raines
Darrell Raines grew up on the mean streets of Miami, FL. He was introduced to the guitar by his uncle who brought a 1969 Gibson SG to his house when he was a young child. Later, Darrell’s musical education took him to Miami Dade Community College where he studied piano and guitar under the tutelage of renowned instructor Vincent Bredice. In college, Darrell teamed up with fellow student George Caldwell to perform Gospel & Jazz shows. |
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Dr. Slide
Bluzpik Rekerdz was formed in 1998 by Axel Humbert, aka Dr. Slide, for the release of his "Outta Time" CD. His next CD was released in 2000 entitled "Slidin' By". Sometime in 2002 Dr. Slide was approached to produce several songs for Joe Mazzari to release on Bluzpik Rekerdz. At this point, Axel met and befriended Jim Nestor, Mazzari’s former manager whom he coaxed out of retirement after a break of over a decade. Axel partnered with Nestor in an effort to jump start his career and get the label going with other artists. In 2003 the German television network MDR came to the US and did a documentary on the life of the German Bluesman, Axel "Dr. Slide" Humbert. Later that year Jim signed Florida Blues Legend Joey Gilmore for an untitled CD that Dr. Slide was slated to produce. Some creative differences with Mr. Gilmore combined with the demands for Dr. Slide's touring schedule in Europe lead to Axel’s decision to leave Florida. He relocated back to what was formerly East Germany, the country he had fled when he tried to jump the Berlin Wall and come to the land where Blues began.
Jim Nestor went on to produce the Bluzpik release of "The Ghosts of Mississippi Meet The Gods of Africa" for Joey Gilmore. That 2006 release won the Blues Critic’s song of the year for the title cut. The CD reinvigorated Joey's career, his first release in ten years. The Joey Gilmore Band was a finalist in the 2005 International Blues Challenge and returned to win outright in 2006 and earn the title of the World’s best unsigned (to a major label) Blues Band. Mr. Nestor persuaded renowned Blues Artist Stan Street from Clarksdale, Mississippi to donate the CD's cover art. The actual portrait is currently hanging at the Hambone Gallery (www.stanstreet.com).
Continuing with Dr Slide’s original vision of finding and presenting talent at the International Blues Challenge, where he had participated in 2004, the Darrell Raines band was aggressively pursued by Nestor (darrellraines.com). Darrell was the lead guitar player with the Joey Gilmore Band and an Albert King award nominee at the 2006 IBC. Jim Nestor was presented with the lyrics for a great Mississippi Delta style Blues tune, Hawk Freeman's "Moanin’ Time in Arkansas". Hawk, who was Robert Lockwood Jr.'s adopted son, had given the song to Jim when he was performing with Dr. Slide in the Midwest several years earlier. The song was a natural fit for Darrell Raines’ new CD and became the title track.
The following year, at the 2007 IBC in Memphis, Nestor was dining at Gus's Chicken around the corner from Beale Street. Tim O'Donnell and Rebecca Dawkins came into the restaurant and were seated at the next table. After overhearing his discussion, O’Donnell offered Jim a copy of the first Nouveaux Honkies CD. Riding around Memphis the next day with Legendary Memphis Agent Dennis Brooks the CD’s from the weekend were being reviewed. After the third song Dennis pulled the truck over and said "Jim, this band is from your neck of the woods…you better find and sign them as soon as you get home".
The latest Bluzpik era started when Jim brought in an old friend and business associate, Leo Gale (your author) to co-produce the 2008 release of Darrell Raines' CD, "Moanin Time". After I witnessed The Nouveaux Honkies live show I immediately agreed to jump on board with their project also. "Where Do I Go", The Nouveaux Honkies new CD was released in January, 2008. The CD was self-produced by The Honkies for release on the Bluzpik Rekerdz label and is distributed worldwide by BDC Distribution. At the 2008 IBC, TNH played to standing ovations and rave reviews. Fresh off their performance at the final weekend of the world famous Bamboo Room (where they also filmed a live video), the Honkies are poised to bring their own blend of Americana, Roots & Blues to the national stage.
In addition to managing the blossoming careers of Darrell Raines and The Nouveaux Honkies, Bluzpik Rekerdz is also the talent coordinator for the South Florida International Blues Festival held annually at Nova Southeastern University in November.
Bluzpik Rekerdz, Darrell Raines & The Nouveaux Honkies are all proud to be members in good standing of The Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast!
On the Web:
bluzpik.com
tnhband.com
darrellraines.com
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