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May 2004:
Soul Believers Set to Open
Blue Barrel Concert Series
Looks like the folks who run Valencia's Blue Barrel Jazz and Blues Concert Series know a good thing when they see it. For the FOURTH year running, Rev. Bill and the Soul Believers have answered the call to open this popular street concert series. Located at the intersection of Towne Center Drive and Valencia Blvd across from the Hyatt hotel, this family-friendly concert series regularly draws in the neighborhood of 800 people for a range of popular blues, jazz and R&B artists from around Southern California. The Soul Believers first played the series in June of 2001 and promoter Barbara Myler of Summit Management has found the band's high-energy mix of classic soul and horn-driven rock and jazz to be the perfect way to kick off her series every year since then. This year's series opens June 11th and the show starts at 7 and continues until 9. Take the 5 north to Magic Mountain Parkway and head east (AWAY from Magic Mountian). Turn right on Towne Center Drive and follow it around to the concert site. There is a multi-level structure across from the Hyatt with plenty of free parking.
April 2004:
Say Hey To Two New Believers and One Old One
People come and people go and, much as we hate to see it happen, that holds true for bands as well. Say hi and howdy to a couple of new Soul Believers and one who is returning to the fold.
Tim Murphy: Keys and vocals
A musician (sax and guitar in addition to keys and vox), actor and director, Tim brings a lot to the band. Most telling is his experience as a choir director which has been a great boon to the band's vocal efforts and working out harmonies. We have already added one Tim lead vocal to the set with more on the way.
John Zavala: Trombone
An in-demand player in jazz and Latin bands in the L.A. area, John plays with the Soul Believers because he actually loves the band. "I have more fun in this band than any other I play with," he says. The feeling is mutual, we all love John, too. His versatile tone and quick reading chops have allowed the band to break him in while also learning new material.
Vince Diaz: Bass and backing vocals
Returning to the congregation, Vince was the Soul Believers bass player during one of the band's busiest periods in the mid '90s. In fact, he is married to former Soul Believer vocalist Darcey Brainerd who he met in the band. When Steve Kobie found his time being taken more and more with studio gigs, Vince got the call and enthusiastically pulled out his old charts and started working with the more complex material the band has been working on in the past few years. Welcome back, Vince…
Feb. 2004:
Soul Believers Play for Woodstock Team
For the second year in a row, Rev Bill and the Soul Believers were chosen to be the house band at the Industry Jam event at the Pro Production Conference and trade show. This conference, presented annually by Timeless Communications, Pro Lights and Staging News asnd Front of House Magazine draws the biggest names in the world of live event production and this year was no exception. The conference's lifetime achievement award-dubbed the Parnelli-went to Woodstock lighting director and MC (yes, they guy who made the infamous Brown Acid Warning) Chip Monck and the show was attended by several of that concert's organizers. Seen at the Jam were both Chip and Woodstock audio engineer Bill Handley among others. Seeing as this is a conference put on and attended by the elite of the event production world, it is no surprise that the lighting, audio and staging companies involved in the Jam use it as an opportunity to show off. Which means big stages, great lights and sound and this year even lasers and CO2 effects and 3D glasses for the audience. Check out the video page of the Rev Bill Web site for clips from the show.
Jan 2004:
It's 20 Years of Soul for The Believers!
It doesn't seem possible, but the band has officially entered its 20th year of consistent gigging. Even given the lower numbers of gigs these days, there have been hundreds of shows in every kind of venue from divey bars to good sized street festivals to full-on pro stages at events like Playboy Jazz in Central Park and the Pro Production Industry Jam. The band's first gig was Halloween, 1994 at a bar called McGintys in Santa Monica. We are trying to put together something special for the 20th anniversary. Stay tuned or Email us with ideas!