MEET THE BAND

‘Philly’ Bill Weir

BASS, LEAD AND BACKGROUND VOCALS

Roots: Philadelphia, PA

Background: Growing up in PA, Bill started playing guitar and bass in bands in the early 60’s in jr high school, leading to performing and recording in a mix of high profile rock, blues, and wedding show bands, including touring with Blues Guitarist Award Winner Mike Dugan and the Blues Mission. Moving to CA in 1999, he played bass and recorded with blues bands Lara Price and Dave Hull, award winning vocalist Nichole Cheri Band, and classic rock band TinMan. Along the way he has been part of Billy Joel’s sound crew, and shared the stage with Tommy Castro, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tinsley Ellis, Joe Louis Walker, and others.

Influences: Jack Bruce, Tim Bogert, Willie’s Dixon and Weeks, Tommy Shannon, Bob Glaub, Kenny Gradney, Randy McDonald, and Duck Dunn.

Greg Sickal

DRUMS & PERCUSSION

Roots: Columbia, Missouri

Background: Greg has been playing drums since the early 70’s when he auditioned for a talent show and won. During the 80’s he started listening to bands like the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Little Feat and developed more of an ‘in the pocket’ solid driving style. After moving to the Bay Area in the 90's, his style expanded to include country-rock from some of his favorite artists like Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson, so Greg has a solid mix of Rock, Blues, and Country in his drummer DNA, and uses all of it to provide the very solid drive of the BluesRockers!

Influences: John Bonham, Simon Kirke, Sib Hashain (Boston), Keith Moon, Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughan), Richie Hayward (Little Feat).

Jeff Miller

GUITAR, SLIDE, LEAD AND BACKGROUND VOCALS

Roots: Oakland, CA

Background: Been gigging since pre-teen years, playing high energy rock, blues, soul, and funk. Into creating a solid pocket when playing rhythm and building melodic to wailing leads - every note is part of a story. Past member of high profile bay area bands including Touch of Class, TinMan, and others. Jeff’s high energy guitar playing has elevated the BluesRocker’s performances and channels great blues guitar playing for all to enjoy!

Influences: Cream/Clapton, BB/Freddie/Albert King, Santana, Hendrix,  James Brown, Tower of Power, John Mclaughlin, George Benson, Tommy Emmanuel.

Jim Crossley

KEYBOARDS - HAMMOND B-3/Twin Leslies, SK-1

Roots: Chicago, IL

Background: Jim’s professional music career began in the early 60’s playing organ in many rock and roll, blues, and original music show groups in night clubs, concerts, television, and other venues around Chicago. By high school, his family had moved to sunny CA, and Jim was with San Jose’s Mainstream Records group NEW DAWN, who had several nationwide record releases in the late 1960’s. His groups have shared the stage with famous artists including Eric Burdon and the Animals, the Coasters, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Tommy Castro and the Painkillers. Jim has also worked with Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond tribute bands. he currently performs with musical groups Mas Mojo, Friends of Ken, and the BluesRockers.

Influences: Jimmy Smith, Booker-T Jones, Greg Rollie, Dr. John, Billy Preston, Chuck Leavell.

Jeff Bray (alumni)

SAXOPHONE, LEAD AND BACKGROUND VOCALS

Roots: Boston, MA

Background: Jeff has been playing saxophone since the fifth grade and ultimately attended the Berklee School of Music, Boston. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and soon found playing opportunities in small jazz combos. Jeff has also composed and recorded abstract saxophone program music for dance, and performed classical saxophone pieces. During the past few years, he has focused his attention on Blues music, playing casuals and most recently with Nat Bolden and The State of Mind Blues Band.

Influences: Dexter Gordon, Houston Person, Illinois Jacquet, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Sil Austin, Sam Butera and King Curtis.

Kevin Galloway

Saxophones, Backing Vocals

Roots: Pittsburg, CA

Background: Kevin knew he was destined to a life of music – graduating with a BA in Music, and establishing himself as both a music teacher in the Contra Costa School District, and also as a first call musician for national and bay area acts. He has taught band for 34 years, bringing his performance experience to his students. Kevin has performed with Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Mel Torme, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Bobby Hutcherson, Peter Tork (of the Monkees), Robert Cray and John Lee Hooker, and has opened for the Buddy Rich Band. He has also performed with a number of Bay Area bands - GTS Band, Special Guests Band, the Giant Garage Spiders, RoadVille Road Kill Big Band, Friends of Ken Band and Vocalese and the Boogiemen, as well as the BluesRockers. Kevin was inducted into the Pittsburg Hall of Fame in 2021. 

Influences: Dexter Gordon, David Sanborn, Michael Becker, Cannonball Adderley, Stan Kenton Big Band