Mike Reilly Band

Mike Reilly - Mike, Jaimoe Johnson and Lamar Williams, The Sharp Shooter Band (Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level). This would be the first band to take me ON THE ROAD!! No matter what happened to this group, be it timing or fate, this was a very, very BAD BAND. I can't describe the feeling I had when I got the gig. To be in a band with the players I had spent hours and days trying to be like.... what a trip. Lamar, Jaimoe and Wayne Sharp came to my house to give me the news. What a party-whew!! What an honor. We recorded a live show at RCA Annex, which was filmed, but unfortunately, the tape was stolen. We did manage to get out on the road, but while in the south, Lamar took ill. The band came to a halt. The leader of this group, Wayne Sharp, would be responsible for something that changed my life. He introduced me to my wife of twenty years, Jani.

And on to the next person who taught me more about the blues guitar. Someone who has been a good friend for many years, Elvin Bishop. This would be my version of boot camp for the blues, have mercy. I met most of my mentors through Elvin,. B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Billy Gibbons, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Band. My first official night in the band we played the Lone Star in NYC, NY. As I took the stage, shaking with fear, I noticed the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd in front of me. They stayed, watched, yelped and yelled. I did my best to put on a good show. We talked after the show. I soon learned that there was a kinship between all these bands. They were there to support us. It was the dark ages of Southern Rock, the Eighties!! I was ever grateful I never had to wear spandex pants and big hair or make up. If you played our genre of music you were family. While on a tour of the Keystone Clubs, three clubs in the bay area that were famous for late night jams, we had a triple bill, Gregg Allman Band, Elvin Bishop Band and a new kid from Texas, Stevie Ray Vaughn. This would be a magical time, for some reason Mr. Allman and I hit it off right away.My days were numbered at Elvin's camp and it was on Gregg's suggestion that I might try my own band.

It was the mid 80's when Jani and I moved to a small community in the Southern California mountains called, Silverado.

It would be here that we would get investors to do my first CD. Most of my band lived in town and we would rehearse on an old ranch called, Wild Cat Ranch. Gregg stayed with us a few times a year. Due to his friendship, I was given an opportunity to be a guest on several Gregg Allman Band dates. He would in turn come and do shows with me as my special guest.

It was a great time in my life, I just wish I could have remembered a little more! Gregg hired us to back him up in 1990-1992. Not a lot of shows, but some of the best gigs I've ever done. I give nothing but thanks to Gregg. He's a true gentleman and possesses a God-given talent.

I visited with him, for a minute this year (2001), in Asheville, North Carolina. The band sounded great and Gregg looked great. I think he's found true happiness. I'm not exactly sure why our paths crossed, I'm just grateful they did.

Calvin Hardy - Bass Calvin Earl Hardy -Who Is An Undiscovered Hero Through The World of Music.At a young age he was a participant in the building of the1969 "WOODSTOCK FESTIVAL" Site. And he is a walking rock history volt of ROCK AND ROLL BACKSTAGE ANTICS.. Having been the very last bass player in * THE IKE & TINA TURNER REVIEW IN THE 70'S* . He has also recorded or jammed with many artist such as *GREGG ALLMAN; ETTA JAMES; VALERIE CARTER; JACKSON BROWN; LOUDON WAINRIGHT, and ELVIN BISHOP.

Mike Kahrs - Hammond organ/ Vocals Providing the warm, familiar sound of the Hammond B-3, organist Mike Kahrs is no stranger to the instrument, having provided "Vitamin B-3" to numerous sessions and bands over his 32 year career.Hailing from the West Coast, Mike performs with The Mike Reilly Band, Mike also held the keyboardist chair of the Blowin' Smoke R & B Revue, fronted by ex-Spirit / Delaney-Bonnie & Friends bassist/singer Larry Knight. When time permits, Mike showcases original material in some of the L.A. and O.C.'s top venues such as the House Of Blues, B.B. King's, and Gary Folgner's Coach House and Galaxy Theatre, not to mention Omega Event's Doheny Blues Festival and the Doheny Days festival.

Jimmy Mcgrew - Guitar/Vocals Jimmy has been performing live since the early 60's! he started by doing surf music in Monrovia. Working with some of the greatest Bluesmasters and Rock and rollers of the day, Jimmy has performed with artist such as Delaney and Bonnie, Ike and Tina Turner, Buddy Miles and Canned Heat. Jimmy also is an accomplished Actor! He plays the biker type in many Movie and TV shows, The Beverly Hillbilly's and recently Malcom in the Middle.

Stu Nevitt - Drums Grammy Award winning drummer/percussionist Stu Nevitt was a founding and 22 year member of Shadowfax. He has toured internationally, headlining at such venues as Carnegie Hall, The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, LA's Greek and Universal Amphitheaters. Stu can be seen playing on "Shadowfax Live" (Rhino Video) and PBS television's "Live at Wolftrap".

:: Discography ::

2004 - Ol Knuckleheads - Buy It!
1998 - Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed -
1995 - Caught In The Act -
1992 - Take All My Money -

:: Contact ::

Website: http://www.reillyband.com/