Jim Hensley,
(Kavorka)
N Augusta, SC Guitar, Vocals
Jim grew up in one of the cradles of Southern R&B, Augusta, Georgia.
At sixteen he cut his teeth playing R&B. At seventeen he joined the U.S. Navy ( serving on the USS Roosevelt CVA-42) and on the week-ends played in a variety band and later, in a kick'n country band.
Back in civilian life, he has played in every kind of band imaginable. rock, country,and even in a alternative band. After being lucky enough to see Jackie Wilson perform, he returned to his roots; R&B and soul music. His bigest influence is Steve Cropper.
Jim is the perfect R&B guitarist. He can make it snap and bite if he chooses, but his tasteful fills are what sets him apart from all the other guitarists on every street corner.
Jim has been living on James Island for twelve years and can not imagine living anywhere else. It is him, Susie, the dog and his Jim Hensley signature stratocaster.
Originally from Kingston, NY, "Fabulous" Lou's career as a drummer has spanned over thirty years. Lou has played a wide variety of music including jazz, rock, blues, and R&B. He has performed in musical productions as well including "HAIR" and "Jesus Christ Superstar".
Over the years he has shared the stage with numerous recording artists such as Robbie Dupree (Heart Rod Hearts, Steal Away), Larry Hoppen (Orleans) and Fred Wesley (James Brown).
Lou and his wife Valerie have resided in the lowcountry for the past ten years where he has been performing with local favorites including Joe Clarke and Mike Viljac's Elvis Presley Tribute Show band.
JR Ryan,
(Rainman)
Belleville, NJ . Bass, Vocals
A veteran of the ' Jersey shore bar scene, an area that produced BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY. JR brings a solid bottom to the mix, working in sync with Lou to deliver a tight groove. He also adds the tenor to the 'Tones tight harmonies, and serves as musical director. JR is also a walking encyclopedia of useless musical trivia (hence the Rainman reference).
Larry Williams,
(The Britches)
Charlotte, NC . Keyboards, Vocals
Seems "The Britches" has been performing all his life. At 15 he graduated kindergarten with full honors. He played in various bands (always with a horn section) all throughout school.
In college Larry worked with the legendary "frat band" ARG, and was recognized as one of the premier musicians in the Charlotte area.
He also worked as a member on Major Lance's backup band.
"The Britches" was away from the music scene for about 15 years, concentrating on home recording and writing. He then joined the Charleston band, "Blue Eyed Soul" and began working keys into his performance.
The Britches and Rainman met, and ultimately formed The Coppertones. His experience with horns has helped him "think like a horn player" to add bite to The 'Tones show.
A natural ham, he fronts the show.
Our Philosophy; Professional entertainers (not wanna-be rock stars) bringing classic party entertainment to our audiences; focusing on their needs and entertaining their guests at an affordable price without offensive volume levels. We believe harmony should be paramount, and music should be LIVE!
THE COPPERTONES; preventing good people from hiring bad bands.
Well........
"Fessa" Gary Hill has moved on to do other things, and we allready miss him terribly. The search is on for the newest Coppertone, and we hope to have some VERY exciting news soon. Stay Tuned
"Fabulous " Lou Salvino
Kingston, NY
Percussion
Joni Siekawitch
(S'witch)
Ottumwa, IA . Vocals plus
Joni Siekawitch grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa (yes, the home of one Walter “Radar” O’Riley…Tom and Edna’s boy), and got her start as a musician before she was in kindergarten when her Grandmother taught her to sing harmonies. In the second grade she started playing piano; fifth grade added the French horn and in sixth grade started guitar. In the eighth grade she learned to play trumpet (because they wouldn’t allow French horns in jazz band), and in ninth grade she started formal vocal training. Her first paying gig (when she was 13 years old) was playing French horn with the local symphony. Her sister taught her to play drums in her sophomore year of high school, and later on mastered the bass guitar.
Joni enrolled in the University of Iowa with a double major in voice and French horn, but the road soon came calling and Joni answered doing more than 250 shows per year.
To date, Joni has played with 27 different professional bands all across the lower 48 and Alaska and Hawaii including everything from singing in a Manhattan Transfer style jazz quartet to playing in an all-female hard rock band. The longest period of time she has gone without being in a professional band in the last 25 years is 3 months.
S’witch brings a combination of drive, professionalism and talent to The Coppertones that has ignited both the vocals and stage presence to a level previously unleashed. Her ear for harmonies is extraordinary. We believe we have only scratched the surface of what she can and will bring to our show. If you haven't heard her, you're in for a treat.
Joni lives in the Charleston area with her husband Robert (also a professional musician), and divides her time between performing with The Coppertones and her fitness career as a personal trainer and Zumba instructor. I think the Zumba is one of those horns they kept blowing during the World Cup……..but I may be wrong.
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