The Charlotte Blues Society ft. Dangerous Gentlemens

Overview

C.K. - Curt is a seasoned and experienced performer with a long and varied musical resume. As a member of Black Velvet, Velvet Groove, Roadhouse, Crippled Gypsies and now Dangerous Gentlemens, Curt has performed everything from Hank Williams to The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughn to Lynard Skynard to Sam Cooke, Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Price to Elvis Presley, infecting each with his signature energy and no holds barred delivery. Curt makes it his mission to put the audience first, while simultaneously meeting the needs of the venue. Curt does not disappoint, ever. Sleet Shirley - Bass player: Sleet aka "Big Willy Toops" left Wistful Vista in search of fame and fortune. In the late 80's he partnered up with Pete Hairem- guitar, Curt Scarem- lead vocals, and TJ Turnquist-percussion. After Pete's early demise from an automobile accident in the Jewel parking lot, the remaining members of Hairem Scarem went on to produce three historic albums. In the 90's Sleet and TJ evolved Hairem Scarem by including Steve "Devo" Olechowski on guitar and lead vocals. The incarnation of this band produced several singles which culminated in an anthology boxset. Olechowski went on to be an internet millionaire. Sleet and TJ then partnered up with Donnie "Rocker" Lesko and formed the band, Whatever I Want. The band put out two albums from Planet Donn Studios, "Not Today" and "Under the Moon's Watchful Eye". During the recording of the third album Big Joe Lindholm joined WIW. The album was never completed. Lesko formed Mesa Guru and Sleet, TJ, and Big Joe left to form Low Point Alumni. Sleet and Donnie Rocker still get together annually to record a holiday song under the name Yellow Snow. The creation of Low Point Alumni required a new studio set-up. Thus, Strawberry Blonde Records was born. TJ took on the roll of engineer, producer, as well as his roll of drummer. Low Point Alumni is currently working on their 13th album. Rumors of a Hairem Scarem reunion are always circulating. YORK - A lifelong resident of Central Illinois, York started playing guitar in his teens. Soon sports, family and career (rudely, for career) interrupted and a long hiatus ensued. Equilibrium was restored in the late 2008's and he has been milking his one-solo Berry/Clapton lead hybrid style in Bloomington area bands Bad Halo, Leslie Starkey Band, and the Indras since. Sambo Dogwood - Sambo Dogwood grew up on the rough and gritty streets of East Bloomington Il. It was at the urging of his uncle, the only other Steve Chestney in world, that he seriously took up the drums in 1984. It was with the Chestney Family Band and The Breast Fed Babies that he learned the essentials of making the boom boom. In the late 80’s he got his big break educationally, when he was asked to join the Progressive Jazz Rock fusion group Oasis. This is where he began a long relationship with guitar virtuoso Bill Percy. In the early 90’s began work with Percy and bassist Dave Reimer in C.P.R (Chestney, Percy, Reimer), and then later, various incarnations of Smooth Move. In 1999 He joined Pete Alteri in forming Low Twelve. He worked with Low Twelve through two EP’s. Family, plus a desire to write music and learn guitar brought on retirement from the drums in late 2000. During this time Sambo learned some chops on guitar and began writing music. In 2007 he hooked up with Steve York, and began a process that would become the band Bad Halo, and the album of the same name released in 2010. What was Bad Halo eventually transformed into The Leslie Starkey band with Sambo on bass. In 2011 Sambo was coaxed out of percussion retirement and took the drum position with the Indras. Hugh Jorgens - This is his story and he's stickin to it:Born and raised on a farm west of Bloomington. Started taking piano from Mary Kaiser when I was 8 years old. This lasted 5 years when I lost interest in taking lessons…which I regret to this day. Although I jammed with a lot of people…here and there over the next 35 years…it was never a focus. Just a fun way to hang out with friends. “But then something happened”. My daughter’s boyfriend…now husband-Clint Thomson… was playing some rippin lead guitar at local clubs for, The Bygones. I got to jam with Clint, and some others from the Bygones. Tom Hass (bass and vocals) and Shawn White (drums). Clint was interesting in jumping from the Bygones to pursue his true love…the blues! Clint encouraged me to play out and we eventually started a blues band (Gumbo Element). Gumbo Element then became the blues band Chicken Shack. I was with Chicken Shack for a few years. Notably, performing at the Nuthin But the Blues Festival twice. After a few awesome years playin the blues I parted company with Chicken Shack and started working with an old friend…Marc Boon. We became Marc Boon and the Unknown Legends. Marc you may remember from 25 years with the very popular band Hip Pocket. At this time I’m still performing with Marc and the Unknown Legends. Which brings me to joining a second band…the Dangerous Gentlemens! Wow…playing in two awesome bands with some really talented musicians! How sweet it is! Eldorado Fats (EMERITUS) - D.O.B.- Unknown, Origin- Unknown, Current Location- Unknown. We found Fats in a bar fight one night and he has been "Howlin', Hollerin', and Twangin' " with us ever since. The only thing that can be confirmed about Eldorado Fats is that he had a bit part in the 1953 classic "Cat-Women of the Moon" and that he owes Chuck Berry money. The last time anyone saw Fats he was in a 77 Cadillac headed North.