BAND BIOS
JOHN - GUITAR, VOCALS
I've been playing/teaching guitar for over 30 years. I also dabble in other instruments, most notably keyboards, harmonica, bass guitar, and mandolin, with more to come. Some of the bands I've played with include: Blackstar, The Vagrants, Steel Rose, Dryver, Joker's Wild, Alter Ego, Draw the Line (Aerosmith tribute), and CarTune Heroes. My other interests include art, travel, science, history, reading, archery, tennis, running, weightlifting, my pets (dog and cat), and collecting medieval weapons. I'm also a science fiction/fantasy/superhero geek. A partial list of influences would include: Ritchie Blackmoore, Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Nuno Bettencourt, Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford, Ann/Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher, Brad Delp, Barry Goudreau, Jimmy Page, Brian Setzer, Dave Grohl, Freddie Mercury, Jon Lord, Steve Gaines, Ian Anderson, and many, many others.
CHRIS - KEYBOARDS, VOCALS
My name is Chris, keyboard (and keytar) player for the CarTune Heroes! I started playing the piano when I was seven, taking lessons for several years from my fifth grade teacher. Now I also play keyboards, and as a fan and child of the 80s, the keytar! I started picking up some of my favorite 80s tunes on the keyboard, and after joining the band, I was introduced to a lot of 70s rock. I also enjoy singing backup harmonies and lead vocals. I found the CarTune Heroes totally by chance in March 2007 after reading a “keyboardist wanted” ad and thinking, “I love all the stuff this band covers!” The chemistry in this group is great. This is the first band I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and I know I’m lucky to play with such a fantastic group of professionals who are also my friends. I’m also the “spam artist” of the group, so when you get our Facebook event invites or email newsletter, you can hate me!
KATIE - LEAD VOCALS, SAXOPHONE
I grew up just outside of Boston and moved to RI after college. Over the next ten years, I taught private lessons in piano, voice and saxophone during the day and accompanied theaters, schools and cabaret groups at night. When kids came along, I stepped back a bit from music. As my children got older, more opportunities to do music came my way, but this time as a singer. In 2011, I was asked to be the lead singer of a classic rock band called ReGeneration, later called C-Sides. Then in 2013, two friends asked me if I would be interested in forming a 1940s tribute group that leaned heavily on music from The Andrews Sisters, so we formed The Company Bees. After four years with C-Sides, I knew I wanted to perform more often, so when I saw that CarTune Heroes was auditioning singers, I gave it a shot. I'm so glad I did!
RICK - BASS
I've been playing music since the late 70's, and been in bands for almost as long...with varying degrees of success!
I've been lucky enough to play places varying from backyard barbecues all the way up to and including several large local outdoor festivals and events. I even managed to get a few cruise ship gigs in there...
Some of my previous bands include Back In The Day, 80 Proof, Twentyfifth Hour, InsideOut, Hollywood Zen, Bad Monkey, Sweet Surrender, Best Kept Secret, Daddy's Money and many more... I told you, I've been at this a while now!
I might look all serious onstage, but I really am having a whole lot of fun here with CarTune Heroes. We hope you're all enjoying this as much as we are.- RW
I've been lucky enough to play places varying from backyard barbecues all the way up to and including several large local outdoor festivals and events. I even managed to get a few cruise ship gigs in there...
Some of my previous bands include Back In The Day, 80 Proof, Twentyfifth Hour, InsideOut, Hollywood Zen, Bad Monkey, Sweet Surrender, Best Kept Secret, Daddy's Money and many more... I told you, I've been at this a while now!
I might look all serious onstage, but I really am having a whole lot of fun here with CarTune Heroes. We hope you're all enjoying this as much as we are.- RW
BRETT - DRUMS & PERCUSSION
I started playing drums at an early age. I took lessons from elementary school until the end of high school. After graduating, I found myself still wanting more. I studied privately for years, but needed to learn more to satisfy my expectations. I decided to enter Berklee College of Music to expand my drumming and musical creativity. My music vocabulary grew, and I was on my way to experiencing new ideas musically. After I graduated Berklee College of Music in 1991 with a degree in music education, I had the privilege to play music all over the world with various artists. My drumming influences range from Jeff Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Steve Smith, to Carter Beauford, Steve Gadd, and many others. I am looking forward to playing a wide selection of music with a great group of musicians in CarTune Heroes. This will be a fun ride that nobody wants to miss! Look forward to seeing you there!
