"It was twenty years ago today Sgt. Peppers taught The BoogieMen to play"

Founded twenty years ago, "The BoogieMen" is a high-energy ten piece band which specializes in "Rock & Soul Music". The band, under the direction of Michael Riley, who also plays Rhythm Guitar, is fronted by an electrifying duo of vocalists, Ashley Wester and Jackie Birner. They blend to make our vocals a dream come true. The harmonies are surreal and when taking a lead, any of them can "bring down the house". The Horn section consists of, Evan "The Wailer" Dowling on Saxophone, Robyn "Hot Lips" Oestreich on Trumpet and Fluglehorn and Rhett "The Butler" Jarret on Trumpet, they cradle our songs with their "swells", then "Rock the Cradle" with their powerful horn blasts. Jimmy "Snuggles" Doherty wields a blazing ax on Lead Guitar, while Dave "Alvie" Alvarez, an "Original BoogieMan" plucks a thunderous Bass. "Diamond" Don DaVia tickles and then hammers the keyboards, while Tim Short, "Percussionist Extraordinaire" drives the band, and keeps them, "In the Pocket" to compliment the powerful music of this Rock & Soul Orchestra.

"The BoogieMen" cover everything from Aretha to Zeppelin. The band likes to keep their music local due to the fact that everyone has day jobs and family commitments. With eight vocalists we blend a variety of musical talents and tastes, which include Folk, Symphony, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Rock and Soul, thus presenting a Kaleidoscope of musical expressions.

In the past the band has played the following events: The Annual Punta Gorda Block Party (16 years), Boca Grande Tarpon Street Party (10 years), Charlotte County Waterfront Festival (9 years) Englewood Community Hospital Festivals (5 years), St. Joe's International Fall Festival (8 years), United Way Fundraisers (5 years), Punta Gorda Kiwanis 4th of July Fireworks (16 years), Charlotte and Bonita Springs Chamber Banquets (10 years), Englewood Sunrise Rotary's Spring Fling (4 years), Boca Grande Green Gala (5 years), Special Olympics, (5 years) and opened concerts for: The Beach Boys, Kansas, The Edgar Winter Group, Rick Derringer, Bertie Higgins, Dr. Hook, The Lovin Spoonful, Derek Trucks, Confederate Railroad, "Dangerous Dan Toler" formerly of The Allman Brothers Band, Herman's Hermits, Rare Earth, Tinsley Ellis, The Outlaws, Grand Funk Railroad, The Grass Roots… countless private parties, dances and weddings and our favorite haunt, Harpoon Harry's on Charlotte Harbor, in Fisherman's Village, Punta Gorda, Florida.

"Do you like good music, yea, yea, that sweet soul music"

Contact: "The BoogieMen" at (941) 766-1398, Michael Riley

The Slick Willy Band was born on April Fool's Day 1998.  It spawned from the Englewood, Florida Band "Rip Tide" which was formed in the mid 90's.

The Slick Willy Band has been a constant on the SW Florida Music scene ever since.  It is still going strong, having played the past 11 years at venues, clubs, concert halls, and events in Englewood, Venice, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Arcadia, Tampa, Wauchula, and Avon Park.

Original members from the current 2009 Slick Willy Band include lead singer, Tom Guidry and keyboardist, Tom Vaidik.  The band finally got off the ground playing in a public venue in May of 1999.  That very first gig was at "Calico Jacks" on Englewood Beach.  At that time the band also included current guitarist, Bruce Franke, who joined the band in January 1999.  These three members have been a constant with Slick Willy since.

Other members of the original band included bass guitarist Trevor Cottrell, drummer Tony Donza, and guitarist/vocalist Jack Piano.  Since 1999 the band has experienced many changes at the drum, bass guitar, and female vocal positions.  The band incorporated female vocals in 2002 with the addition of Amanda Mills Jones, who has rejoined the band as of summer 2009.

Slick Willy has been a house band at Harpoon Harry's in Punta Gorda, FL since December 2000.  To catch a live performance, please check out our schedule on our website: www.slickwilly.webs.com

Contact: 863-494-4629.

The Boomtown Band is a 6 piece variety dance band that has one goal in mind, keeping the audience moving. Specializing in Motown, R&B, Disco and Pop, Boomtown also plays some of your favorite Classic Rock songs.  

Low Rent is a group of guys who love to rock to the classics. We all come from different influences that make great chemistry in our music. In addition to playing rock classics we also continue to work on our own original music. We love playing local watering holes, block parties, opening for headliners and private parties.

Below are some bios on those in the band...

Jimi Interval has been singing in bands for over twenty years. His introduction to music began at a young age, in part because of natural talent and also because of his father, James Interval, Sr. His father played the drums and sang in many Top 40 bands during the 60's. At fifteen Jimi learned to play the drums and bass but perferred the lead vocal position. At seventeen he put the drums and bass aside to concentrate as lead vocalist. In 1984 Jimi performed with "Spiral Starecase" performing their hit single "More today than yesterday". Jimi has performed with The Outlaws in a music video, Ernie's All-Star Band in California, joined Captain Beyond in 1999, and has been very active in the music scene, writing and applying his vocal talents to recording sessions with several Florida bands. Influences: Captain Beyond, Jethro Tull, Humble Pie, Rainbow, Led Zep, and others but most importantly, James Interval, Sr.

Jeff says he has always had the passion for playing R&R...instruments of choice are electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. Jeff played rhythm guitar with bands in the Boston area in the 70's and 80's. Jeff moved to Ft Myers in 1993 and found it much more lucrative getting gigs as a bass player. Jeff obviously enjoys laying down the groove. He's had the opportunity to contribute to writing bass lines to original projects with a local band called "Wonderful Johnson". Jeff played with the "Sofakings" for nearly seven years. Jeff has opened up for ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Influences: Cream, Hendrix Zepplin (you know the list)....

Steve LaNovara like a good little Italian boy learned to play the accordian around 8 years old. He couldn't get any chicks playing the accordian so he decided to start playing guitar at 17. Played in several rock bands early on the east coast of FL. Around the age of 25, Steve had a life changing experience with God and began to play in church which continued for the next twenty-five years. He joined up with LowRent in 2007 and loves classic rock and really enjoys hanging with the guys. Influences: JC, my wife, all the Christian rockers that do it for the right reasons, Eric, Jeff Beck and all the rest.....

James Owens has been playing keys since age 10. Jim grew up in Detroit and was influenced by Motown and English rock bands that played in the area. He 's been involved in original music since he was 16. Some of his music has been played on FM radio. He's opened for Foghat, the Platters, Spyro Gyra, Ramsey Lewis. Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Joined Low rent in '05.

Mike Nicholson is the founder and percussionist for Low Rent Band. His favorite expression is "we're living the dream". Even with all the grey hair we're still rocking!

The Crashers is a band with a unique blend of musicians from a variety of backgrounds that have come together creating an unparalleled musical chemistry.

The group is held together by one of the area's finest rhythm sections with, Chris Durso on Bass Guitar and, the band's leader, Loren Berry on Drums. Chris and Loren create the strong heart beat and the solid groove that The Crashers are known for.

Pierre Harris, on Keyboards provides pizzazz to the band with his constant movement, not only physically but musically. From his flavorful horn parts to his groovy organ and driving piano, Pierre adds unique character and energy to the band's sound and performance.

Tom LoBue, is well known in South West Florida as a premier guitarist. He adds the burning leads and the soulful melodies in the band’s presentation. He is the musical icing on the cake.

Kris Boone, the newest member of The Crashers, adds to the band's backing vocals with his huge range from baritone to a sweet falsetto.

Troy Nichols, truly is The Voice of The Crashers. Troy loves to sing and entertain. If you've seen Troy you have to admit, you couldn't take your eyes and ears off of him. If you haven’t seen Troy sing, what are you waiting for?

Website: www.thecrashersband.net
Contact: Loren berry 941-928-6231