BluesMovers.com - The Movers are History

Movers History

I was in this band from August, 1995 through September, 1999.

Don't miss my current band, the MudSpiders!

Some of the other guys are playing in a group they formed, called RhumBoogie

  • The Movers have been known for playing a blues you might call, the "Blues that Moves". We played blues, jump blues, swing, rock 'n' roll, One incarnation of this band was the grand-prize 1995 winners of the 12th Annual National Blues Foundation competition, held in Memphis, TN that October. There have been three self-produced recordings, entitled "Love My Baby", "On The Move" and "Your Move". Players consisted of rhythm section (bass, guitar, drums), piano/organ, and a smokin' horn section (tenor sax, trumpet, trombone).
  • You will probably miss this band, as it seems to be wound down at this point. It looks like Steve really did make the decision not to push this thing out in public any longer. The Movers calendar has been cleared of club dates. All seems quiet now... but wait, what's that stuff about Mud being good for Spider bites?

      At B. B. King's, Beale Street, Memphis, TN May 2, 1996

      Keep looking up... as that Star Gazer guy keeps saying!

    The Movers were a struggling 12-year-old jump blues and R & B band based in Concord, NH until they won the 1995 Harpers Ferry Battle of the Blues Bands in July, 1995.

    This made us eligible to represent the Boston area at the International Competition in Memphis, Tennessee.

      1995 International Blues Talent Competition, Daisy Theatre, Memphis, TN, Oct. 8, 1995 (photo by Sarah Gelenian-Abrahamsen)

    We had the pleasure of winning top honors at the 12th Annual International Blues Talent Competition, in October, 1995.

    S.S. Atlantic, "The Big Red Boat"

    We had a tremendous time appearing on the Ultimate Rhythm and Blues Cruise IV in January, 1996 which was an absolute blast. For info on future cruises, please call (800)886-6132 or visit their website.

    In early May, 1996 we had the honor of opening the W.C. Handy Awards ceremony in Memphis. We were also invited to play the first hour of the After-Party which was being held at B.B. King's on Beale Street. Many of us jammed with the honorees through the night until the place closed at 5:30am! This included people like the late great Luther Allison, Bob Margolin, Toni Lynn Washington, and Ronnie Earl. Danny Vitale was our singer during this most notable period.

    Through part of 1997 and all of 1998, The Movers had a 15-month period working with the well-known Barrence Whitfield. Barrence is an experienced blues singer who has been around quite a few years. He is known for his work with "The Savages" which go way back, if you remember. Lately, he has been seen around town with these uncivilized folk again, doing what he does best. This guy knows how to entertain people, and we all appreciated that! Check out this interview with him from the Beverly Citizen.

    In recent developments, The Movers have begun working with Rick Rousseau as their next lead singer. Rick has worked with band on a few occasions including last year when Barrence couldn't make it, and a few before that.

    Check these pages for the developing stories about life in general, and updates to our schedules. Given that the band is winding down, most updates will be found on my page.

    Or use email: john@bluesmovers.com.

    Our first CD, "Love My Baby", released in 1995.

    We released our second CD, "On The Move", at Harper's Ferry May 17, 1996.

    Download Rock Doc (3 Megabyte mono 11-Khz wav file)

    Our latest CD, Your Move was a collaboration with Barrence Whitfield

    By the way, you can't purchase any of The Movers CDs, just ask Steve about it.

    Orpheus Studio, Manchester, MA (December, 1995)

    We would also like to thank Paul Carr of Orpheus Studio in Manchester, MA for working so well with us on the production of this new recording.

    We would like to thank Lee Perrault of Via Design for aiding us with design consultation and graphical production of the first two discs.

    The Musicians

    Past Movers

    Here are just a few of the past members of the band...

    • Kemp Dunn Drums
    • Bob Buntin Trombone
    • Barrence Whitfield Vocals
    • Shirley Lewis Vocals
    • Danny Vitale Vocals
    • Jeff Perry Trumpet
    • Michael Davis Guitar chiliblues@aol.com
    • Walter Bostian Trombone
    • Dan Gallagher Vocals
    • Bob Worthington Bass
    • Kevin Watson Saxophone
    • Mark Sibel Saxophone
    • Ed Raczka Drums
    • Ralph Rosen Drums
      ... and others I am just discovering as people like Peter Rawlings and Chet Fusick tell me about them...
    • Peter Rawlings Tenor Sax
    • Deluxe McCollum Sax/Guitar/Vocals
    • Lee Lundy ?
    • Kevin Robichaud ?
    • Dave Kulik ?
    • Millard Charles ?
    • EZ Cohen ?

    Dates Past Archive Page of gigs long gone...

    Photo Archive Page

    Read about how the Bluesmobile saved the year.

    Read about how hard it was to get to Florida for some of us.