myspace music my music | music videos | featured playlists | top artists | shows | classifieds | forums 

James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers
Blues / Blues / Blues

"James Reeser & His Hot Blues Quartet"

Zeeland (near Grand Rapids), Michigan
United States

Profile Views:  30152




Last Login:  10/8/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/jamesreeser  

   James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers: General Info
Member Since8/28/2006
Band Websitejamesreeser.com/
Band Members

Buck (Sweet Pea) Robinson

Buck slaps a backbeat all night on his upright bass. He is the last remaining member of James' original line-up. Sharing the stage with James for over 16 years.

Pete Muszkiewcz

Pete has been with me on drums since 2003 and he is incredibly lively and fun to watch.

Paul Hauschild

On the Hammond B3

Troy Amaro

Troy Amaro has played music for the last 20 years in various stints with both Blues and Jazz groups. With the music of Little Walter being (and still) the reason Troy was drawn to the Blues, he continues to be influenced by both past and modern players who’s main focus is to maintain the real, original, raw, authentic Blues he loves. Troy considers a player’s sound and tone to be just as important as his musical ability and therefore uses only guitars and amps (Victoria Amps, Don Mare pickups) that replicate the 1940’s and 1950’s sounds from the golden era of Blues. Current and past musical and tone influences include, Pee Wee Crayton, T-Bone Walker, Willie Johnson, Luther Tucker, Hollywood Fats, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson and many others.

Other guitar players that were with us or have helped us out in the past:

Pat Hansen

Matt Young

Pete Bullard

T-Bird Huck

Doug Deming

Harry Oman

Mondo Cortez

Nick Moss

David John

Roy Cashman (Cadillac Slim)

Influences I guess I would have to say that the biggest influence on me was Sugar Ray Norcia. I lived in New England for 12 years and had the pleasure of seeing his band Sugar Ray & The Bluetones very often while living there. I lived very close to a club that is long gone now, it was called "Spinnakers". My best friend and drummer Dave Armstrong and I hung out there every weekend soaking up the blues sounds of New England Blues bands.

Other influences include in no particular order:

William Clarke, Big Walter Horton, Rod Piazza, Little Walter, George Harmonica Smith, James Cotton, and many more. I just can't think of them here and now.

These days I try to play with my own style but I'm sure harp aficionados can probably hear many others styles in my playing.

Sounds Like Really good jumpin' swingin' lowdown and diirty Blues to me.
Record Labelhttp://juicybluerecords.com/
Type of LabelIndie




   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Oct 17 2008 9:30P
Dreamers Muskegon, Michigan
Oct 18 2008 9:00P
The Curragh Holland, Michigan
Oct 25 2008 3:00P
Patrick Sheehan’s Irish Pub Saint Catharines
Nov 7 2008 9:30P
Billy’s Lounge Grand Rapids, Michigan

James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Harp brands.  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers

.."_blank">


I'm working on a tour of Finland with "Tragic Sam & The Lowdown Rockers" but not dates are set yet. STAY TUNED!

We are a jumpin' swingin' fun Blues band. We come out of the box swingin'. No build up just cranking from the start. But that does not mean we are loud and in your face. We play the rooms at volumes as necessary, we just have a high energy level.

We mainly play in the Great Lakes region mostly around West Michigan but I (James Reeser) play all over the country from time to time and with many other Blues bands as well.

As far as the harp gear I use goes, these days it's all Victoria amps for me. I have 3 of them, two 45410's and a 35210. I have owned and or used many amps and for me Victoria is my Holy Grail of harp amps. I do have a HarpKing (Number 12 off the production line) and it's OK. It has plenty of power 100-watts, enough so as to keep up with any loud wanker dude on guitar. As for now the HarpKing has been shelved but I will hang on to it, don't ask it aint for sale. It just doesn't quite do it for me. I sold off all my old Fender amps (and I had a pile of em) save for the tweed 57 Champ.

I use mainly Astatic JT30 mics, some new some old. They have no special electronics inside em, just plain stock as in my opinion it's a waste to add anything to the mic, the tone mostly comes from using a good amp. I do install a hidden push button on off switch where the stand threads are. I hate volume knobs on harp mics, on or off is all you need. I sill use some mics that are all stock with no switches. I used to have a pile of Shure Green Bullet style mics. I still have one I occasionally use, it has a brushed chrome finish. I sold most of the Shures off as I'm not a collector of gear. I buy and keep what I will use.

I do use some stomp boxes. Mostly an old Boss digital delay that I have had since like 1985 or so. I also occasionally use a Danelectro Rocky Road spinning speaker for a simulated Leslie effect. It a really kewl pedal but it needs a mod right out of the box as it has a gain boost when you tap it on and gain boost is a big no no for harp. The mod is simple to do.

For info on what harps I use click on my blog and feel free to add your 2 cents worth.


   James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers's Friend Space (Top 32)
James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers has 8672 friends.
 Juicyblue Records 


 norma 


 T-BIRD HUCK Bluesman/Showman 


 Mark Moore 


 Pete Bullard 


 William Clarke 1951-1996 


 Tragic Sam & The Lowdown Rockers 


 Jimmie Stagger Band 


 West Michigan Blues Society 


 Billy's Lounge 


 Tomas 


 Buddys Mom 


 Sand Bar Saloon 


 Weezil Malone 


 the JANGLEmen 


 G-Man 


 Landon 


 Bill Christy 


 Hank "The Hawk" Mowery 


 Harry Lucas & The Lowdown 


 Vincent Hayes- Solo 


 David 


 Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones 


 Nick Moss & the Flip Tops 


 West Weston 


 Cherri and the Violators 


 Count Bracey & The Pleasure Tones 


 Soul Shine 


 Sweet Japonic 


 aiken 


 ALBERT BLUES 


 The BlackJaxs 





James Reeser & The Back Seat Drivers's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 2109 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Revolver





Oct 8 2008 4:49 AM

Love Them Blues! You guys know how to Boogie!! Kick Ass!!
Thanks for hooking up with us!! When you get a chance how about adding your profile to Revolvers map on our page!! Thanks again!!!
Les Kerr





Oct 7 2008 11:34 PM

Greetings from Nashville and thanks for the request!
You have a great sound.
Les Kerr
Mad Highway





Oct 7 2008 10:36 PM

Mad Highway thanks ya for the add and keep rockin' it out, one and all!
The Blues Bureau





Oct 7 2008 9:38 PM

Hey, James. Thanks for stopping by. Love the way you guys get after the blues. Keep on rockin' 'em.
BabyClauBlues





Oct 7 2008 6:33 PM

Hola bienvenido a mi lista de Amigos..
Un calido abrazo blusero
exitos!!!
West Side Blues Band





Oct 7 2008 4:52 PM

Hello from Woodstock, GA
Thanks for stopping by "our space"
Wow! you certainly have the Blues!
Sally Street





Oct 7 2008 12:39 PM

Hey gorgeous blues baby. Sending you love from down under!
Sal
xx
Myran/ The Drummer





Oct 7 2008 12:32 PM

Hello friend!!

Keep the music alive.....

Myran
Planet Full Of Blues





Oct 7 2008 11:32 AM

Thanks for the add! You guys sound awesome! --Johnny Ray Light and Brock Howe of PFOB
Karletto~BluesFactory~





Oct 7 2008 11:19 AM

Hi James, thanks for the req.
God save the blues!
Barbara Gobbi





Oct 7 2008 10:55 AM

Wow!
Have a nice day!
Ba
Railway Blues


Is Online


Oct 7 2008 10:13 AM

Welcome aboard the Railway Blues Event site,great to have your friendship and support.

Toot Toot.
Ron





Oct 6 2008 11:27 PM

Thanks for the friendship.
Have a great week.
Hansa Malhotra





Oct 6 2008 6:58 AM

thanx for the friendship


Keep smiling and lead a lucky life
Hans_
Lil' Cliff & the Cliffhangers





Oct 6 2008 2:07 AM

Just sharing some of the mellow on a Sunday night.
See ya soon.
Lil' Cliff and the Cliffhangers
JEFF LIBERTY MUSIC





Oct 6 2008 12:25 AM

You want Blues James, you got it...

nice profile man
late
Blue Family





Oct 5 2008 11:19 PM

Thanks for the add!!!
nice harp!
http://www.bluefamily.rs
Krister Edsfors





Oct 5 2008 3:15 PM

Hello,
Thanks for the add request.
Greetings from Sweden!
Krister
Hansa Malhotra





Oct 5 2008 3:10 PM

thanx for the add


Keep smiling and lead a lucky life
Hans_
Palo Rodriguez





Oct 4 2008 6:28 PM

Hi!thanks for the request! I am also honored by your friendship,I apressiate your support!from Argentina! best wishes!
Kevin





Oct 4 2008 5:49 PM

well its perty rught here i know you mostly have to keep your stuff in with you if you leve it in the van cover it with a blanketbut at knight keep it indoors
evry musiciens will tell you this
im lucky all i have is my suitcase of harps and my Blues Jr. it fits in the trunk of a car

at festivals they tel you were to put your stuff.usualy its safe
ill check it out the situation with friends and will let you now

Kevin
Randy(Bass Player in Gruvonya)





Oct 4 2008 4:22 PM

Go Get em!
John Lee WBR (Southcoasters early times)





Oct 4 2008 3:22 PM

Thanks for the add !!!
BLACK COFFEE





Oct 4 2008 1:34 PM

HI!
We hope you're fine, just passing by to say "hi" to you and wish you a great, relaxing weekend!
/Black Coffee.
Kevin





Oct 4 2008 1:22 PM

hi there i thank you for your comment its nice to have news in music unfortunatly I cant make it
I have no transportation
I have a friend that is moving to Michigan mabe ill go down for a few shows.I will get myself more orgenizd for next year.It would be an honer to jam and share the stage with a great Bluesman.
Did you ever play in Montreal Cana