Saturday, September 19, 4pm
RAIN DATE – Sunday September 20, 4pm
North Kingstown Town Beach, North Kingstown, RI
Tickets are Limited because of Social Distancing Guidelines
HEY NINETEEN – TRIBUTE TO STEELY DAN
DOOBIE BROTHERS TRIBUTE BAND
The popularity of tribute bands is undeniable, and for some music fans, that is a problem. But if you own a venue that supports live music, you understand that you need to sell tickets, food and drinks, and tribute bands are that draw. To add some clarity, a tribute band plays the music of one particular band or genre, whereas “cover bands” cover material from a variety of artists.
So why are tribute bands so plentiful and popular now? Well from this drummer’s perspective, as a member of Hey Nineteen a Tribute to Steely Dan, I have two reasons, first, I want to be able to perform at a variety of good venues and make “some” money. Being in an eleven piece band means alot of talent want to be paid, so being in our tribute band is more of a passion, which is my second reason.
I have been listening to Steely Dan since I was a kid, I have great memories of grooving out to FM radio in the 70s and 80s and hearing classics like “Deacon Blues, Peg and Reelin’ In The Years.” As a drummer hearing Steve Gadd play the solo in “Aja” or being memorized by the deep rich pocket of Bernard Perdie on “Babylon Sisters” made me want to play those songs too.
Sad to say that the classic bands that we love and were to be able to see live are getting old and many have passed. You can no longer see Rush, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Eagles or Steely Dan live with their original members. And if all the original members are alive, they are older and have lost their ability to reach those high notes. So in come talented young(er) musicians who grew up listing to their favorite band and know every lick and line of every song, a tribute is born.
Other components that lead to the popularity of Tribute bands include improvement in instruments and sound systems, the ease of digital recording and exposure through social media. Bands are sounding better than ever with the availability of digital mixing consoles and in-ear monitors, they can easily be recorded and shared through smartphones and quickly gain a following on social media.
Even before I joined a tribute band I was not keen on the idea of someone “trying” to perform something that should only be replicated by the original band. I became especially uncomfortable when a tribute wanted to look like the original band, wigs and makeup tend to be a distraction, especially when you wish to copy bands who rocked afros back in the 1970s like the young Carlos Santana.
But no matter where you stand on Tribute bands, you have to respect that “good” tributes have a considerable bar to raise. Original bands spend a good part of their lives, 7 days a week perfecting their craft, tribute bands, most who are weekend warriors have to get it right, pack up and go back to their day jobs just 24 hours later. Here are some tribute bands I have performed with, have seen live and do an excellent job honoring the music and spirit of the original band.
Web/Video/Music/Design
Drummer for Hey Nineteen
Favorite Steely Dan songs: Hey Nineteen, Deacon Blues
Rebecca has been singing since she was a child and has always loved music of all styles. Through her school age years, she sang in a 16 piece a cappella vocal group and began studying privately. She continued studying through college, continuing to study privately and participating in concert choir, but also began a love of singing jazz when given the opportunity to sing in front of the URI Big Band as the lead vocalist for 3 years. Since college, she has participated in small ensembles when the opportunities arose, but is thrilled with the opportunity to sing with Hey Nineteen.
Beyond the music, Rebecca is an IT Consultant for a local consulting firm in Warwick RI. She is married with two wonderful, energetic little boys who she hopes will grow up to love music as much as she does.
Vocals & Owner of Flipp Hair Salon and Reflexology Center
Favorite Steely Dan song: Rikki Don’t Lose that Number
Joanna is a founding member of Hey Nineteen and an incredible talent.
Joanna’s salon is an up-beat, positive space aiming to interconnect art, wellness and all things beautiful to the eye and to the soul. Aiming to promote whole-ism in the individual and in the community through a common space and have fun in doing so!
Favorite Steely Dan songs: Babylon Sisters & Dr. Wu
Kimberly has been singing since age 17 when she was a contestant for Miss Teen RI she didn¹t win. However, it did jump start
her love of being on stage and performing. She began BelCanto training under the tutelage of Shoshana, and performed Opera Arias with her for many years. Over the years she has sung in a Top 40 band, a Disco band, a Rock/Opera Band, a Rhythm and blues band, a Blues band, and now Hey 19 Band! She also has sung on numerous recording from other artists such as Tony Monti, Stephen Decesare, and Shoshana.
In her real life, Kim is just an ordinary Insurance consultant. Newly married to her childhood sweetheart Steven, Kim loves a spicy bloody mary on ANY Sunday , red wine anytime, golfing , gardening, puttering around the house, and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite Steely Dan Tracks – Kid Charlemagne and Gaucho
Dan currently teaches in Narragansett, Rhode Island, where he is the director of the High School Concert Band, Jazz Band and Concert Choir, as well as the 6th through 8th grade bands. In his time in Narragansett, Dan has also taught Guitar Class, Piano Class, Music History and Music Theory.
Last May, Dan completed a Masters Degree in Instrumental Conducting at The University of Rhode Island, where he was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society for exceptional academic and musical achievement. He also completed his undergraduate studies at URI, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2007 with degrees in Music Education (focus in voice), and Music Performance (focus in Classical Trumpet).
As a trumpeter, Dan can be found exceeding the speed limit all over the state on his way to various musical endeavors including theater pit work, weddings, parades, masses, and many other events. Dan is psyched for the opportunity to perform with the great musicians in “Hey Nineteen”, and can’t wait for our next show!