Bobby McDowell - Front man / Lead Vocals
Bobby Mcdowell Northern California Native is full of energy with rich vocals and music that puts his fans on their feet with a show they go home with always wanting more of.
Much of Mcdowell's musical passion was evident at an early age as he started out pounding drums. Later in life, he moved on to guitar and found himself behind the microphone and putting a band together. Making his way to the music scene took it's natural progression. As he continues, Mcdowell has been playing in Venues across Northern California and opening for Major acts such as Miranda Lambert.
Mcdowell recently made his way to Nashville working on a project called ''The Climb'' which has become the name of his Album as well as another album called ''Keepin It Country'' for which he wrote the title track and earned himself a review from Top Country Music Videos. Recently, Mcdowell's song âAll Right Hereâ listed as number four on the country charts on Our Stage .
Other songs on his projects come from successful Nashville writers
such as Bob Stegall, Chuck Allen Floyd and Marty Dodson.
With extensive projects and a solid team behind him, his future is
not only bright, but grounded in values, hard work and an unbridled passion to succeed.
McDowell recently placed in the top 100 in Best of Artists in Country on Our Stage. McDowell was up against over 6,000 singers. McDowell's video All Right Here also was in the Top 40 two separate times.
Ernie Rich - Lead Guitar
Born and raised in bay area, Ernie learned to play guitar from his father at the age of 5. After his father passed away when he was only 7, he decided he wanted to keep learning the art of music. He and his Mother found a guitar instructor in Dublin where they were living. By the age of 10 he was playing in his first of many âgarage bandsâ learning all the newest songs he could. Ernie enjoyed playing music throughout his school years and, in some form or another, has kept playing, and music continues to be an important part of his life. He got his affinity for Fender guitars from his Father who was also a musician and played in many bands. Even though Ernieâs Father passed away at an early age, he instilled the love of music in him. It is something special and cherished by Ernie that he is proud to share and is thankful to have gotten the chance to experience with his Dad. Ernie resides in the San Joaquin Valley with his wife Rhonda and three children. They have been happily married for 24 years. She is a source of love, fun, and inspiration to Ernie and enjoys listening to him play. He has played at many wonderful venues throughout the years, including The Hard Rock Café in Las Vegas, The Drake Hotel in Chicago, company parties in Palm Springs, Monterey, and Santa Cruz, just to name a few. Asked when will you stop? Ernie replies, ''When I canât play any longer!''
Dave Massey - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
At the age of 14, Dave learned three cords on a guitar from his father. But soon after, the guitar was laid down and wouldnât be picked up again until he was 21 years old, and he became the father of a new baby girl. He wanted to be able to sing lullaby's to help put her to sleep. This was the beginning of his appreciation of the guitar. But the guitar was not Daveâs first musical instrument. He first learned to play trumpet in junior high and high school. There he learned how to read music and began to understand the demanding art of music performance. In college Dave played in a brass quintet performing classical music. Then he joined an orchestra. It wasnât until he was asked to fill in for the guitar player in a local church worship band that he began to take to the guitar again. There he played guitar for several years, furthering his skills on that instrument. Later he joined a rock band for a few years until meeting up with Bobby one day through another band member and mutual friend. The fusion of rock and country is exactly what he needed to motivate and inspire him further. Dave has two children and currently resides in the San Joaquin Valley, were playing with The Bobby McDowell Band allows him to push his own boundaries and continue to grow as a musician and performer.
Gary Hietbrink - Bass Guitar
Dean O'Conner - Keyboard
Dean O'Connor, keyboard player, vocalist, composer. Started
with music lessons at 9 years of age to 14. At 14 years of age music
lessons were not cool any more, so I purchased a Wurlitzer Electric
Piano, and my brother and I ventured into rock n roll music. Over the
years, influences in music came from all avenues. Blues, Beatles,
Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Country Rock, Country, and of course rock
n roll. I've played with a band called The Water Brothers Band for
many years. Myself, my brother and a couple of close friends started
the band in the 70's. We still play a few times per year. I joined The
Bobby McDowell Band in 2011. My playing style fits Bobby's music well.
I guess you could describe it as a Country Rock style with heavy blues
influence. I enjoy adding whatever I can to Bobby's sound, and of
course I enjoy playing with the other musicians in the group!
Jimmy James - Sound
Jimmy is a lifelong friend of Bobby McDowell. They grew up together and went all through school together in Calaveras County, Ca. As most know, Calaveras County is home to the World Famous Frog Jumps mentioned by Mark Twain. It is also known for Jesse James and his family of Cowboy Gansters. Jimmy is directly related to Jesse James however is a much more milder type of person.
He and his wife Barbara and son Wyatt make their home in Elk Grove, Ca. Jimmy is very instrumental in McDowell's band as he is in total control of the sound at all times. The great sounds, the clairity and volume you hear coming from the stage when McDowell is playing, is due to the expertise of Jimmy James as a Sound Engineer.