ABOUT THE BANDS...
(To visit band websites, click on their photos)
Larry Lee & Back in the Day
Larry Lee and the Back in the Day Band have, in their short 6 year existence,
shared the stage with a "who's who" of musicians including Smokey Robinson,
the Temptations, Brian McKnight, Chaka Kahn, Isaac Hayes and the Isley Brothers.
In 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 they were nominated as
R & B Band of the Year by the Detroit Music Awards.
Last fall, they performed for the World Champion Pittsburg Steelers at their After Party.
Their gig list also includes Major League Baseball's All Star Celebration, as well as
numerous festivals, corporate parties, and other appearances all over the country.
Larry Lee spent seventeen years inside the NFL, spending 8 of those years
as a player and 9 as Vice President of the Detroit Lions. During his playing days,
Larry played for the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins.
While with the Broncos, he participated in Superbowl XXII.
These days you'll find Larry doing what he does best and loves most:
playing his bass guitar, tucked in on stage between his band mates,
the Back in the Day Band.
The Back in the Day Band includes vocalist Mia Johnson whose vocal stylings are
Chaka Kahn, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, all rolled into one.
Levi Johnson, vocalist, is a soulful singer with high energy!
He's been around the world singing gospel with his family.
Kelvin Green, trumpet and vocalist, is no stranger to the stage,
having performed with the Dramatics, the Contours and
Dennis Edwards & the Temptations Review.
Senior member of the band, James Chaney, is a true veteran
of the entertainment industry and has performed with Chaka Kahn,
Tyrone Davis and Little Milton, among others.
Guitarist, Jerry Jenson, is a decorated musician and has performed
with the Four Tops, Boyz II Men and the Contours,
in addition to performing with symphony orchestras all over the world.
John Sadler, keyboardist/vocalist, is one of the funkiest keyboard players you'll ever see!
He was inducted in 2005 to the Gospel Hall of Fame.
Drummer David Brandon spent 12 years with the Spinners,
and also worked with Aretha Franklin and the Dramatics.
Don't miss these high-energy professionals!
The Alligators
They've been playing music in their own unmistakable way for nearly twenty five years.
The attitude they bring to the stage each night has everything to do with their respect
for the blues and their love of playing it together as a band.
And The Alligators have been playing it together for a long time.
Lead vocalist Dave Krammer and harmonica player Wailin’ Dale started the band in 1984.
Guitarist Steve Schwartz joined in 1993, followed by Drummer Jon Johnson .
The Alligators have also added new blood with the addition of
highly respected bassist Frankie Lee in 2007.
This longevity is a testament to the success they have achieved
and has helped develop them into one of the tightest and most
sought after bands in the Midwest.
The Alligators deliver live blues....DETROIT-STYLE!
Robert Lee Revue
The Robert Lee Band has been a fixture on the Saginaw blues scene for a long time.
While the blues is their preference, front man Robert Lee and
keyboardist Frank Rodriguez are alumni of Question Mark and the Mysterians,
best known for their 60's hit “96 Tears”. While they'll humbly perform the song that
made them famous, these days they are firmly entrenched in the blues.
Robert Lee Revue put their stamp on "Bluest Blues", an Alvin Lee song
that one reviewer referred to as "the most perfect blues song,"
and in doing so they have made it their own.
BB King wondered, "How blue can you get?"
The Robert Lee Revue answers the question.
The Blues Creators
Three words: REAL. HOT. BLUES!
At the turn of the century, when field workers and sharecroppers had the blues,
their response was basic and soulful. They sang it.
And that, quite simply, was the beginning of their change process.
By somebody telling it like it is, from the heart, in a way that can be heard.The Blues Creators started over 30 years ago as Saginaw's "Blues Experience".
The band was formed by Frank Washington who taught current band leader
Vander Washington how to play the guitar.
Steve Warren then joined as bassist and Lady Love, a gospel singer,
was invited to bring to the group her strong voice and amazing stage presence.
Remis Bryant, Lady Love's nephew, provides the beat and is the newest member of the group .
The Blues Creators are one of the hardest working bands in the Tri-Cities area,
and they're singin' the blues... from the heart... in a way that can be heard.
Blues Abusers