Here with the real story! As told by Jeni Grouws, I was visiting the Quad Cities in 2015 and, since I was there, I decided to find some live music. One quick Google search found that directly across the street from my hotel was a placed called Muddy Waters. Thursday nights were blues jam nights, and I knew I had to go. Chris Avey and Bryan West were two of the three jam leaders that evening. I signed up, drank, waited, they ignored me, I waited longer, they ignored me…. but eventually they brought me up. And it all came together. Honestly, it was like putting that last puzzle piece in place. Bam! I lived 3 hours away and had a full-time job running a radio station and those guys had their own musical projects, so It took us a while to finally decide creating a band was worth taking seriously. On January 1, 2017, after a wild New Year’s Eve party in Decorah, Iowa, the Avey Grouws Band was born during cleanup and a few hangovers.
They released an EP “Road to Memphis” in 2018 and debut album “The Devil May Care” was released during the coronavirus pandemic in March of 2020. Both recordings are top-notch. I first heard of this band thru Jeni Grouws, after watching some of their videos I became a huge fan. This is one of those bands when you see them for the first and find out they are from Iowa; you think no way they can play Blues. Well let me tell you not only can they play The Blues, but they play the Hell of out them. But Roots Rock does a good job of melding their backgrounds of blues, folk and country along with Chris' very rock and blues influenced guitar work. Jeni has one of those voices that is not only sultry but powerful, when it’s needed, she can bring to lowdown Blues. Now Chris is one badass guitar player. I have seen a lot of guitar players and he is right up there. Chris can really lay the Blues down and in the next song a powerhouse rock out solo. And Bryan on Drums, well what can I say he is the one that brings the backbone to this band with his playing. Now I have only seen Randy Leasman and Nick Vasquez with the band a few times. They both are top-notch players, and they bring it all together. I have to say that Avey Grouws Band is my Top #1 Band for 2020. I hope that once everything straightens out, that I can get them here to St. Louis, Mo. The folks here are going to love them. Now I have to say one more thing about Jeni Grouws. Before she joined this band, she made a solo album called “The Scenic Route” in 2008. She talked about this album on one of their live streams. Afterwards I texted Jeni saying that I would love to hear it. She kept on saying it’s nothing special it’s just something I threw together. Well she sent me a copy and let me tell you it Blew me away. Not only is the songwriting amazing, but Jeni’s vocals on this just gives me goosebumps. Without going into details, all the songs are very personal to Jeni. All I can say with her vocal abilities she puts the feels into each song to a point that you are transformed into the story… Now I have some info thru very good source that the band has some stuff in the works, that in the next few months Chris and Jeni will be recording an acoustic roots album, Americana more than blues, and then early next year the full band is going into the studio to record their sophomore album. Here is the band’s lineup: The Avey Grouws Band is Chris Avey, Jeni Grouws, Bryan West, and Randy Leasman, and often with Nick Vasquez on keys. Here is some of their achievements:
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Prairie Rehab is a St. Louis based band that has been around since 2009. The band is mainly Americana style music, but they have a way of adding in some Jazz, Pop,Folk and Country. The Band consist of Lacie Williams-- vocals, acoustic and electric guitars. Scott Swartz -- pedal steel, electric guitar, BGV's. John Baldus -- drums, percussion, accordion. Christian Schaeffer -- keyboards. Ezequiel Valguarnera -- bass, BGV's. Now if you know me then you know that this is not really my style of music. But the first time I heard this group I just couldn't help from listening. From the beautiful vocals of Lacie to the amazing sounds from the band. The songs that they write and perform are so melodic and captivating. I recently got their newest CD "Lilac and Grey". I just sat and listen to it 3 times in a row, because I just couldn't stop listening to Lacie's voice . When she sing it's like taking you to a magical place that you remember from your childhood. Where you feel warm and safe. Each song is very well written story and brings it all to life. My favorite songs on this CD are: Lately, Angels perhaps and Solstice. If you ever get a chance to see them perform or buy one of their CDs I highly recommend you do. Some awards they have won are: RFT Music Awards Best Country Band 2013 RFT Music Awards Best Country Band Nominee 2012 RFT Music Awards Best Americana (Traditional) Band Nominee 2011 RFT Best Country Band (Alternative) 2010 You can find them at: http://www.prairierehabmusic.com/?fbclid=IwAR2h_sSdZzYcbh67XdPC-UB7Hdkl-BEtLLDmef9EQ6R4UgIf77987Qnjz3k https://www.facebook.com/prairierehab/ Influences Aimee Mann, The Jayhawks, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, The Carpenters, Graham Parker, Gram Parsons, Cindy Walker, Lyle Lovett, Foster & Lloyd, Centro-Matic, Squeeze, Sorta, Marti Jones, Prefab Sprout, The Beatles, Big Star, XTC, Scott Miller, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, etc |
AuthorHello, My name is Michael. I am into music, have been for over 48yrs. Big fan of all kinds of music, right now it has been the Blues for the last 10yrs. I do not play any instruments, But I very interested in the recording aspect of the industry. Have messed around with it a little and always learning new things about it. I have met many wonderful people because of Music.. Hope you enjoy my Blogs... In the last two years I have been producing House Concerts. I also in the past 2 years got to produce and engineer an album for a very good friend of mine from Sweden "Magpie". Archives
February 2024
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