Audiences looking for a rocking good time can always count on THE BIG STRUM… an assembly of All-Star musicians who are quite frankly some of the best in the business today. Dynamic guitarists Fly Amero, Cliff Goodwin and platinum recording artist Joe Bouchard lead a formidable five-member cast… each with their own extensive musical credentials. Terms like “guitar wars” and “guitar madness” come to mind as their escalating improv solos lift crowds to a virtual frenzy. Together with drummer Mike Levesque and bassist Wolf Ginandes, every player onstage is well-seasoned and has toured the world over and over.
The Players: Fly Amero: Guitar/Vocals Joe Bouchard: Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals Cliff Goodwin: Guitar/Vocals Mike Levesque: Drums Wolf Ginandes: Bass
FLY AMERO Drawing from rootsy Americana folk, blues and jazz influences, Fly Amero has a long history of entertaining audiences. His music has taken him around the globe where he has performed with legends such as Wilson Pickett, Tom Rush, Dolly Parton, Al Stewart, Little Feat, The Guess Who, Christopher Cross, Melissa Manchester, Steve Miller, Spencer Davis, Felix Cavaliere, John Ford Coley - and, of course, his touring band of 43+ years, Orleans. Fly’s solo-artist CDs are available on Amazon and most all online distributors. WEBSITE: https://www.flyamero.com
JOE BOUCHARD Joe Bouchard is a legendary recording artist and one of the founding members of the iconic band Blue Öyster Cult. From the 70s and 80s, the band recorded classic albums for Columbia Records and toured the world, playing in the US, Canada, Europe, the UK, and Japan. Joe's impressive musical career earned him nine gold and two platinum awards as a driving force behind Blue Öyster Cult's iconic sound for 16 epic years. With 14 albums recorded for Columbia Records, BÖC electrified audiences worldwide with their genre-defining rock anthems. Joe, as the band's dynamic bass player, also masterfully tackled piano, keyboards, and guitar, leaving his mark on countless tracks. Writing timeless classics like the hit single "Hot Rails to Hell,” Joe’s ensemble skills truly shined with "Don't Fear the Reaper," a top 20 hit that has been featured in countless films and TV shows. The unstoppable BÖC followed that up with "Godzilla" and the forever-popular "Burnin' for You." Joe's character (played by Horatio Sanz) contributed to one of the most famous sketches in Saturday Night Live history with "More Cowbell." Joe's star rose even higher in 1997 when Metallica covered his co-written song "Astronomy" on their massively popular album "Garage Inc." This cover opened up the BÖC catalog to a whole new generation of fans and solidified Joe's reputation as a songwriting genius. Today, Joe's entire catalog with Blue Öyster Cult continues to rock the world through reissues by Columbia/Sony. FULL DISCOGRAPHY: https://www.joebouchard.com/discography
CLIFF GOODWIN 12 years as guitarist, vocalist & musical director for legendary artist Joe Cocker, Goodwin played on some of his biggest hits, such as “Shelter Me”, “Leave Your Hat On”, “Fun Time” and “Up Where We Belong”. He also worked with Robert Palmer on his “Secrets” album and played guitar on his hit “Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor Doctor)”. He released his first solo album, “Cliff Goodwin: The Rhythm & Blues Union”, featuring some of his longtime musician friends. He released his second solo album, “Double It Up”, which he recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, the same place where the Beatles made many of their classic songs. Cliff Goodwin considers this a dream come true and a tribute to his musical heroes. FULL DISCOGRAPHY: https://www.discogs.com/artist/957856-Cliff-Goodwin
MIKE LEVESQUE Deep-pocket drummer Mike Levesque has toured and recorded with world famous artists David Bowie, Pinetop Perkins, Jane’s Addiction’s Dave Navarro and Britain-based band The Cure’s Reeves Gabrels. With the simplest of drum kits, Mike lays down stone-cold grooves that welcome his fellow players on board to ride like giant waves. FULL DISCOGRAPHY: http://www.mikelevesque.com/#discography
WOLF GINANDES Renowned bassist Wolf Ginandes has toured with Tracy Nelson, Kal David, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Mitch Chakour and Howard Tate, to name a few. He has also recorded with Digney Fignus, Dan King and drummer Marty Richards, formerly of The J. Geils Band and The Joe Perry Project.
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame will hold a 20th anniversary concert honoring Billy Joel and his music at LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville on June 7. The concert is in conjunction with the current exhibit, “Billy Joel: My Life — A Piano Man’s Journey” at the LIMEHOF museum in Stony Brook. “This will be like the Kennedy Center Honors where other Hall of Fame inductees will pay tribute to Billy Joel,” said chairman Ernie Canadeo. “Each artist will perform one of their own songs as well as one of Billy’s songs.” The current lineup consists of Debbie Gibson, Jimmy Webb, Mike DelGuidice, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run DMC, Zebra, Albert and Joe Bouchard (formerly of Blue Öyster Cult) plus Joel’s daughter Alexa Ray with more to be announced. A house band, led by saxophonist John Scarpulla and keyboardist Billy Heller, will back up each performer.
“There will be some surprises with the people playing alongside the different artists,” said founding board member Jim Faith, whose company J Faith Presents is coproducing the concert. DelGuidice, who performs in Joel’s band, is preparing a medley of two Piano Man classics in the same time signature. “Billy’s going to feel the love. He has helped many people and changed so many lives with his music,” said DelGuidice, formerly of Miller Place. “This is a way for all of us who were inspired by him to give back.”
THE JOE BOUCHARD BAND RETURNS to The 9th annual Barnyard Ball Fundraiser The Dorset Equine Rescue and Honorary Chairs Ramsay Gourd & Richard Slocum cordially invite you to attend the 8th annual Barnyard Ball fundraiser, Thursday, July 13, 2023, at The Old Gray Barn at 1582 Route 30, Rupert, VT (just a 5 minute drive from H.N. Williams Store and less than 15 minutes from the Manchester, VT roundabout). The evening will include dinner, live music from Joe Bouchard and his band (Joe was a member of Blue Oyster Cult for 16 years), dancing, silent auction, prizes for the best dressed: Western Style, and door prizes! All proceeds to benefit The Dorset Equine Rescue. Tickets will go on sale soon! Featuring Joan Levy Hepburn on guitar, Bobby MacDougall on bass, and Mickey Curry on drums.
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. CLICK THE TICKET INFORMATION TO GET ON THE WAIT LIST. The North Country Music Project presents an evening of music and tributes to honor our rock & roll pioneers: Ed Wool, Claudia Wool, the Kissell Brothers (Bob and Dick), Al Bouchard, Joe Bouchard and the late Ray John. Featuring as music director Mark Prentice, Watertown native and Nashville-based Grammy winning producer, along with featured musicians and some very special guests. We will celebrate the foundational talent and bands that rocked the North Country in the 1960s and ‘70s, a time and place that produced extraordinary musicians whose impact reverberated far beyond the region. The music was amazing, the moment was magic, the legacy lives on.